Vital Records, Greene, NY, September 1865

Chenango American, Greene, NY, September 1865

Married:  in Cambridge, Washington, Co., N.Y. on Wednesday the 6th inst. by the Rev. James N. Crocker, Hon. Frederick Juliand, of this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Harriet M. Crocker, of the former place.

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 8th inst. by Rev. J.C. Ransom, Mr. George Thompson, of Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Ann M. Rogers, of Preston [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 6th inst. by Rev. E.H. Payson, Mr. Albert C. Green, of Canterbury, Conn., to Miss  Mary E. Bemis, of Oxford.

Married:  In North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 6th inst., by Rev. F.B. Peck. Mr. Nathan W. Rider, of Norwich, to Miss Hattie L. Main, of No. Norwich.

Died:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 11th inst., Lorinda [Van Tassel], wife of Lawson Van Tassel, aged 28 years.

Died:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 3d inst. of consumption, Mr. Avery Stratton, aged 22 years.

Died:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 3d inst. L.D. Bishop, aged about 50 years.

Died:  In Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY], on the 20th ult. Laura A. [Colburn], wife of Leonard N. Colburn, aged 48 years.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, September 21, 1865

Married:  In Zion Church, in this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 12th inst. by Rev. F. Rogers, Col. W.G. Welch, to Miss Susan E. [Dederer], daughter of Capt. N.A. Dederer, all of Greene.

Married:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 14th inst. by Rev. Samuel Scoville, Mr. Frederick Mitchell to Miss Nettie C. Pike, daughter of John G. Pike, Esq.

Married:  In Otego [Otsego Co., NY], on the 7th inst. by Rev. A. Griffin, Mr. Henry E. Copley of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Sarah L. Warner, of Unadilla [Otsego Co. NY].

Married:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY]\, on the 12th inst., by Rev. J.A. Mason, Mr. Nathan Eldredge, to Miss Loverna C. Rexford, all of Smyrna.

Married:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 5th inst. by Rev. W.G. Queal, Mr. Joseph Thursten to Miss E.O. Nash, all of Guilford.

Married:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co.,, NY], on the 6th inst. by Rev. Mr. Keeler, Mr. B. Morgan to Miss Patience L. Smith all of Bainbridge.

Married:  In St. Aloysius Church, Washington, D.C., on the 11th inst., by Rev. Father Lockwood, Mr. Denis Conway, of Norwich, N.Y. [Chenango Co.] to Miss Margaret Hynes, of Springfield, Mass.

Married:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 5th inst. by Rev. S. Scoville, Mr Arnold D. Evans, to Miss Maggie [Nelson], daughter of John Nelson, all of Norwich.

Married:  In Lincklaen [Chenango Co., NY], on the 6th inst. by Rev. E.N. Ruddock, Mr. Milan Hill, of McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Caroline C. Carr, of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Earlville [Madison Co.., NY], on the 4th inst. by Rev. L.V. Ismond, Mr. John W. Houghton, to Miss Samantha L. Adams, all of Earlville.

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 13th inst. by Rev. W.C. Bowen, Mr. Watson Soule, to Miss Jennie Lenox, both of Greene [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 12th inst. by Rev. J.C. Ransom, Mr. Samuel Sannick, to Miss Lucy Franklin, both of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].

Died:  In this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY] on the 10th inst., Thomas [Williamson], eldest son of William and Charlotte Williamson, aged 18 years.  The deceased through a long course of sickness bore his afflictions with truly Christian fortitude, exhibiting a meekness and resignation that from day to day, only brightened those genial qualities of the mind he so fully possessed. Aware of his approaching end, he was ready to go, and when friends were weeping around him, he was happy in the thought of a blissful immortality where in a short itme they could meet again freed from the cares and pains of this life, to enjoy an eternity of happiness in each others society.  Deceased was esteemed by a large circle of friends for his many good qualities of heart, and gave promise of much usefulness had he been spared to live.  Kindness of disposition, intelligence of mind, purity of intentions, parental respect, affectionate regard for friends, endeared him to all who knew him.  In his death kind parents have lost a dearly loved son, friends a genial and highly prized companion and associate.  Though dead, his example lives to draw around his memory a hope of promise made to the Christian that blooms forever, an eternity of Youth!

Died:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], ont he 12 inst., Mrs. Harris, wife of Deacon Hezekiah Harris, aged about 76 years.

Died:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 17th inst. Alanson Pratt, Esq., aged 71 years.

Found Drowned:  On Monday last the body of Benjamin Dalton of McDonough [Chenango Co., NY] was found in the Genegantslet creek in that place about a mile form the Daniel's Cheese Factory, by a Mr. nightingale.  He at once gave the alarm. The body was secured and Coroner Baily of Norwich was called to hold an inquest which was done on Friday.  The examination elicited no information except that deceased disappeared about five weeks ago, since which time he has not been seen until found as above.  How he came in the water is not known, and the jury rendered their verdict accordingly.  Deceased had been for several years more or less insane and had got the impression that his family and friends were endeavoring to kill him by poison or by other means.  It is supposed that this and other troubles so worked upon him as to drive him to commit suicide.  Mr. Dalton was a hard working, respectable man, who was well thought of by those who knew him best.  The body had been so long in the water as to be entirely unrecognizable except from  the clothes he had on.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, September 28, 1865

Married:  At the Chenango House, in this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 26th inst. by Rev. F. Rogers, Mr. Charles A. Winsor, to Miss Frances E. Anderson, both of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on 20th inst. by Rev. A.B. Jones, Mr. Abraham S. Dorenburg to Miss Albertine R. Clough, both of Triangle [Broome Co., NY].

Married:  Also, by the same, on the 26th inst. Mr. Martin L. Fox, to Miss Sarah M. Ticknor, both of Triangle [Broome Co., NY].

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 19th inst. by Rev. W. Ayrault, Dr. R.E.  Milles, to Miss Roxey M. Westover.

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 20th inst. by Rev. W.C. Bowen, Mr. Wm. Huntley, to Miss Dora T. Wells, both of Oxford.

Married:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], on the 12th inst. by Rev. A.J. Buell, Mr. Oliver P. Judd, of Coventry to Miss Fanny M. Delamater of Afton [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 19th inst. by Rev. J.C. Foster, Palmer Rich, of South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss G.P. Osgood of Preston [Chenango Co., NY].

Died:  In this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 24th inst. from the effect of a wound received while in the service of his country, at a skirmish near Richmond, Augustus W. Wardwell, aged 28 years.

Died:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], on the 18th inst., Mr. Philo Yale, aged 90 years.

Died:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 23d inst. Mr. Horace Bard, aged about 50 years.

Vital Records, Greene, NY, August 1865

 Chenango American, Greene, NY, August 3, 1865

Died:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 30th ult., Mr. Nelson Andrews, aged 49 years.

Died:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d ult. Mr. Henry Rice, aged 24 years.

Died:  In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], on the 23d ult., Mrs. Zevira Lamb, aged 94 years.

Died:  In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], on the 28th ult. Charles A. [Lewis], son of Chas. H. and Julia Lewis, aged 10 years.

Died:  In Norwich  [Chenango Co., NY], on the 27th ult. Louisa A. [Bishop], daughter of Lyman and Lodema Bishop, aged 31 years.

Died:  In North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 29th ult. Laura [Per Lee], wife of Isaac B. Per Lee, aged 23 years.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, August 10, 1865

Married:  In this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 28th ult., by Rev. J.B. Hyde, Mr. Allington Olden, of Williamsport, Pa., to Mrs. Delos Payne, of this town.

Married:  In this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 3d inst. by Rev. A.B. Jones, Mr. Avery Winchel, of this town, to Miss Agusuta Fox, of Triangle [Broome Co., NY].

Died:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 4th inst., Mr. P. Weston Yeomans, aged 26 years.

Died:  In Chenango Forks [Broome Co., NY], on the 4th inst. Mr. Charles King, aged 90 years.

Died:  In Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], on the 6th inst. Mr. Calvin G. Brown, aged 50 years.

Died:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], on the 25th ult. Mrs. Mary Isabell Miller, aged 25 years.

We are pained to say that intelligence has reached his relatives which leaves no room for hope that Lieut. J.E. Spry, formerly of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], is now alive.  A letter has been received by an officer of the regiment which says that he learns upon inquiry that Lieut. Spry, after being wounded and taken prisoner, died on his way to Charleston for want of medical treatment. This destroys the last hope of his return, and adds to the long list of dead, one of the noblest victims of the war.  Chenango Union

Chenango American, Greene, NY, August 17, 1865

Married:  In this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 6th inst. by Rev. A. B. Jones, Mr. Andrew J. Yarnes, to Miss Julana S. Morey, both of Willett [Cortland Co., NY].

Married:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], on the 1st inst. by Francis U. Garratt, Esq., Mr. Delos L. Sherwood, of Smyrna, to Miss Olive L. Borden, of Preston [Chenango Co., NY]. 

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 13th inst. by Rev. L.E. Spafford, Mr. Charles Hemingway of Oxford, to Miss C. R. Smith of Preston [Chenango Co., NY].

Chenango American, Greene, NY, August 24, 1865

Married:  In this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 20th inst., by Rev. H. Garlick, Elbert L. Salisbury to Alice L. Root, both of Willet [Cortland Co., NY].

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 20th inst. by Rev. J.C. Ransom, Mr. Charles Holmes of South Oxford to Miss Louisa Vickery of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY].

Died:  In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], on the 18th ult. Charles A. [Lewis], son of C.H. and Julia Lewis, aged 10 years.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, August 31, 1865

Married:  At the residence of S. Perry Thomas, in this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY] on the 30th inst. by the Rev. F. Rogers, Mr. Leroy Davis to Miss Martha L. Winter, both of Greene.

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 23d inst. by Rev. F.B. Peck, Mr. John E. Rogers, to Miss Maryette Gilbert, both of Oxford.

Died:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], on the 21st inst., Miss Mary Tryon, aged 42 years.

Died:  In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], on the 14th inst. Mr. Wade Hough, aged 77 years.

Died:  In Army Square Hospital, Washington, D.C., June 23d, Mr. Lewis  H. Sweet, a member of Co. C, 8th N.Y. Cavalry, and son of C.E. Sweet of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], aged 25 years.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, September 7, 1865

Married:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], by Rev. Geo. Turnbull, Mr. William Seeley, to Miss Anna Kelley, both of Coventry.

Married:  At Emanuel Church, in Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 5th inst. by Rev. E.Z. C. Lewis, Mr. William W. Gordon of Delhi [Delaware Co., NY], and Miss Gertrude M. Hill, of Norwich, and daughter of the late John F. Hill, Esq., of McDonough [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], on Sunday, the 3d inst. by Rev. E. Holroyd, Mr. J. Francis Button, to Miss Caroline J. Lewis, both of Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Hamilton [Madison Co.., NY], on the 26th ult. by Rev. C. E. Hewes, Mr. W R. Handy of Sherburne [Chenango Co., nY], to Miss Polly Perkins, of Columbus [Chenango Co., NY].

Died:  In Corning [Steuben Co., NY], on the 8th ult. Harriet A. [Brown], wife of James L. Brown, formerly of  Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], aged 32 years.

Died:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], on the 1st inst. Sidney? S. Cox, aged about 50 years.

Vital Records, Norwich, NY, February 1866

 Marriage & death notices for February 14 and marriage notices for February 28 have been previously published.  They can be located by searching on February 14, 1866 and February 28, 1866.

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, February 7, 1866

Married:  At the residence of the bride's father, in North Norwich, Jan. 23d, by Rev. R.A. Paterson, Mr. Stephen L. Smith of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Amelia C. Tiffany of the former place. 

Married:  In Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 1st, by Rev. L. Lawton, Mr. Charles Bacon, of North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Caroline E. Harvey of Pharsalia.

Married:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 14th, by Rev. S. Scoville, Mr. Michael Baule, to Miss Jennie Elsworth, both of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 25th, by Rev. S. Scoville, Mr. John S. Felton of Marlboro, Mass., to  Miss Lucia A. Gibbs of Guilford.

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 24th, by Rev. W. C. Bowen, Mr. Alfred Burton, to Miss Kate Chaddon, both of Guilford.

Married:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 24th, by Rev. W. G. Queal, Mr. James E. Bowen, of Guilford, to Miss Sarah A. Bosnell of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].

Died:  In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 3d, Sarah A. [Hall], wife of Thomas W. Hall, aged 47 years 8 months and 14 days.

Died:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 29th, Peter Brewster, late of the 8th  Reg. U.S.C. Troops, aged 23 years.

Died:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 8th, Mr. Daniel Scott, aged 91 years and 4 months.

Died:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 18th, Mr. Stephen Bowers, aged 52 years.

Died:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], 29th, Philip Hammond [Bowen], son of Rev. W. C. and Gertrude S. Bowen, aged 9 weeks.

Died:  In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 27th, Mrs. Polly Anngle.

Died:  In North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 24th, Charlotte [Mead], wife of Morris Mead, aged 57 years.

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, February 21, 1866

Married:  At St. Paul's Church in Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 13th, 1866, by Rev. W. Ayrault, Mr. Horace S Chamberlain of Afton [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Mary Hitchcock, only daughter of A.A. Hitchcock, of Oxford.

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 7th, by Rev. L.E. Spafford, Mr. O.O. Beardsley, of Oxford, to Miss L.T. Smith of McDonough [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 11th, by Rev. L.E. Spafford, Mr. G.H. Cadwell of Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss B.A. Trumble of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]

Married:  At the residence of the bride's father, in the village of Afton [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 12th, 1866, by the Rev. J.A. Robinson, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], Mr. J.L. Austin to Mrs. Mary D. White, both of Afton.

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 14th, by Rev. L.E. Spafford, Mr. Archilaus Haynes, of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Frances M. Kinney of Oxford.

Married:  At the same time and place, by the same, Mr. Adelbert D. Mead, of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Helen Rowley, of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY]./

Married:  In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 17th, by Rev. L.E. Spafford, Mr. F. H. Scofield, of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss M. Hancock of Preston.

Married:  Feb. 6th by Rev. J.L. Jones, Mr. Benjamin R. Miller, of South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY] to Mrs. Phebe R. Beckley of Lawrence [Nassau Co., NY].

Married:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 26th, by Rev. G. P. Turnbull, Mr. Joel C. Lyon to Miss Martha M. Newton, both of Bainbridge.

Married:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 10th, by Rev. S. Scoville, Mr. William F. Stafford, to Miss Carrie S. Allen, both of Earlville [Madison Co., NY].

Married:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 12th, by Rev. E. Puffer, Mr. Alfred R. Weld, of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Almira P. Badger, of Greene.

Married:  In Pittsfield [Otsego Co., NY], Feb. 6th, by Rev. Mr. Dunbar, Mr. Seth W. Caswell of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Adelaide Babcock, of Pittsfield.

Married:  In Cincinnatus [Cortland Co., NY], Feb. 14th, by Rev. J.H. Barnard, Mr. William Dye, of Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Jennie Higgins of Cincinnatus.

Married:  Dec. 22d, 1865, by Rev. J.H. Chamberlain, Mr. Charles Walls of Camanche, Iowa, to Miss Eliza Carly of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  Jan. 1st, by the same, Mr. David Van Wormer, of Truxton, Cortland Co. [NY] to Miss Jennie Belden, of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  Feb. 15th, by the same, Mr. Stephen N. Leach to Miss Helen E. Wightman all of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  At the residence of the bride's father in Triangle [Broome Co., NY], Feb. 14th, by the Rev. H.W. Lee, D.M. Lee, M.D., of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY] to  Miss E.E. Gleason.

Died:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 6th, Miss Harriet Foote, aged 59 years.

Died:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 12th, Mr. Joseph Mason, aged 56 years.

Died:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 7th, Mr. William D. Stratton, aged 44? years.

Died:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 13th, Major Wheeler Morgan, aged 59 years.

Died:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], feb. 12th, Mr. Amos Boardman, aged 55 years.

Died:  In Triangle [Broome Co., NY], Feb. 4th, Mr. Betuel Gray, brother of Warren Gray, Esq., of Greene [Chenango Co., NY], aged 79 years.

Died:  In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 8th, Josephine D. [Gelser], daughter of C.J. and A.E. Gelser, aged 3 years 8 months and 23 days.

Died:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 3d inst. of disease of the heart, Mrs. Sarah A. [Hall], wife of Thomas W.  Hall, aged 47 years.  She experienced religion and united with the Baptist church, January 4, 1857, living a devoted Christian, and testifying daily to the beauty and power of a godly life.  Her earnest appeals to the unconverted and fervent prayers will long live in the memory of the Church of God, which has lost by her death a shining light and a faithful witness. She gave us glimpses of the heavenly land, in a faith which overcame all fears, a cheerfulness which subdued all murmurs, and a hope which triumphed over death.

Died:  In Lebanon, Madison County, n.Y., Jan. 30, 1866, from an injury received by the kick of a horse, Michael Mulligan, aged 30 years 6 months and 15 days.  By this death, society has lost a kind and considerate husband, a tender and loving father, a genial, frank and open-hearted friend, whose life we had earnestly hoped would be spared us.  For communities are made better by the presence of characters like his.  But we bow in submission to the divine will, deeply sympathizing with the bereaved and afflicted family and friends, in full confidence that we shall meet in that better clime where the casualties and griefs incident to this life shall never enter.

Died:  Passed from earth to her home with the angels, Feb. 10th, Ernestine A. [Tracy], only child of Ameziah and Dorothy Tracy, aged 6 months and 5 days.  "Aye! let us weep for our loved "Tenie" that's dead, / For the vase that is shattered was preciously dear; / But the gem to a heavenly casket has fled / And its visions of beauty more brilliant appear"

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, Feb. 28, 1866

Died:  In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 22, Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, widow of the late Hezekiah Brown, aged 83 years.

Died:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 24, Mr. John D. Stiles, aged 72 years.

Died:  In Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], Mr. George Bosworth, aged 75 years.

Died:  In Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 9, of consumption, Mr. John W. McKibuin, aged 25 years.

Died:  In Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 3, Miss Eliphal B. Brown, aged 47 years.

Died:  In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 21, Georgie Ewin [Gates], son of Geo. and Almira Gates, aged 3 years 7 months and 14 days.

Died:  In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 5, Sallie [Chandler], wife of Joel W. Chandler, aged 53 years.

Died:  In Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 6, Adbertine [Blackman], wife of A.S. Lewis Blackman, and niece and adopted daughter of Rev. E. W. Allen of that town, aged 22 years.

Died:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 31, Mrs. Abigail Gilmore, aged 87 years.

Died:  In Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 18, Mr. Peter S. Birdlebough, aged 54 years.

Soldier's Letter, Civil War, July 1863 - Gettysburg

 Oxford Times, August 5, 1863

Near Hagerstown, Md, July 13th, 1863

Mr. Editor, Two weeks ago we halted just outside of Frederick City on our way to Gettysburg.  The fight, at that place commenced the first of July and lasted three days.  Our regiment was in it each day, but we were were fortunate, and only lost two men wounded in the whole regiment.  We supported the brass battery which was out of range of the rebel shells, and this is the reason we lost so few.  Perhaps you would like a little description of the fight. 

The whole line of battle lay in the shape of a drag.  Our regiment lay just at the right of center. The front point of the line lay just outside of the town of Gettysburg. We took our position in the morning, which was in the woods, and commenced building breastworks.  These were built along the whole line, and just at the top of a ridge, it was a nice position and a strong one, everything was quiet until twenty minutes past four P.M., when a cannon was fired.  Hardly had the sound died away when an answer was received, and in less than ten minutes it was a perfect roar. The musketry soon commenced wiht terrible volleys which proved that the expected battle had begun. The fighting commenced about the center of the left wing and was rapidly rolling towards the extreme left. The rebel General followed his favorite tactics of throwing his whole force on one point, and seemed determined to break through, but luckily for us he found something besides the 11th corps to break. But his attack was so fierce that our Generals feared that he would succeed in driving our boys and break the line as he did at Chancellorsville, and by that  means flank us. So just about sundown we were ordered up to support the left. We went up under a perfect storm of shot and shell, but the ground being a little higher than we were, the shot went over, many of the shells burst near us, but none of us were hit.  We arrived at the place just at dark but just as our corps got there the firing grew less furious, and within half an hour had ceased entirely.  The rebels found it impossible to break our lines and gave it up for the night. 

We were ordered back to our places on the right, and what do you suppose we found.  Nothing more nor less than the rebels had taken possession of our breastworks in our absence and we found ourselves fairly out-witted this time. We felt very much worked up when we found the dirty rascals in our breastworks and no doubt they were chuckling over it.  But all that we could do was to draw back in the field and lie down until morning.  

At daylight we were aroused and drawn back into the road.  Our brass battery was just back of us on a knoll and but a short distance from the breastworks. The other battery which is the rifled cannon were on our right.  it was not long before both batteries opened on the breastworks, and every shell seemed to say come out of those breastworks you rebels. The infantry were now being sent in, and the musketry commenced and the fight now raged on the right wing as terrible that day as it did on the left the day before, and it took us until half-past eleven to drive the rebels out.  During this time our regiment was lying back near the batteries and escaped the fire which the others received.  the 27th Indiana and 2d Mass. lost over half of their men.  In the afternoon we went down into the breastworks and played with the rebel sharpshooters awhile and at night our corps was relieved. 

We have been on the tramp now for four weeks, and expect another battle any hour. We are near Hagerstown, and the rebels in plain sight.  Our company went out skirmishing Saturday night about 2 o'clock and skulked around and fired at the rebels until 10 Sunday morning, and was then relieved.  None of us were hit, although the rebels shot close.  I think that Geo. Watson hit a rebel, for one was taken prisoner wounded in the morning, and George says he saw him fall.

We have been building breastworks all day and the rebels are doing the same on the next hill beyond, and within easy shelling range. We have got very strong breastworks and cannon planted all along the line. We think we have got the rebels in a tight place, but they may escape for all that.  It is reported that the Eleventh corps and Fifth corps have crossed the river, and will drive them close if they try to cross, and if that is the case they are hard up.  If we can whip them nicely here, now that we have Vicksburg, it is my opinion that rebeldom must dry up this summer, which I hope will be the case.  Gen. Meade now commands the army, and gained a great victory at Gettysburg, and I should think understands his business.  This is the kind of a man we want.  J.D.H.

Vital Records, Oxford, NY, August 1865

 Oxford Times, August 23, 1865

Married:  In this village [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], on the 20th inst., by Rev. J.C. Ransom, Mr. Charles Holmes of South Oxford, to Miss Louisa Vickery of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], on the 1st inst. by F.U. Garrat, Esq., Mr. Delos L. Sherwood of Smyrna, to Miss Olive L. Borden of Preston [Chenango Co. NY].

Married:  At Poolville [Madison Co., NY], on the 3d inst. by O.B. Lord, Esq.., Mr. Smith Hill of Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Mary Wilcox of Columbus [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 17th inst. by Rev. Wm. C. Bowen, Mr. Morris D. Firman of Middleport, Ill. to Miss Marcia A. Kinney of Sherburne.

Married:  At Attica, N.Y. [Wyoming Co.], July 19th, John Porter, Esq.,, Cashier of the Merchant's National Bank, at Meadville, Pa., to Miss Celestia Tinker, known as one of the Star Sisters.

Died:  In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], on the 14th inst. Mr. Wade Hough, aged 77 years.

Died:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 10th inst. Nancy [Rose], wife of Thomas Rose, aged 78 years.

Died:  In Clifton, C.W., on the 10th inst. Polly [Blakesley], wife of Calvin P. Blakesley, Esq., formerly of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], aged 52 years.

Oxford Times, August 30, 1865

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] on the 23d? inst. by Rev. F.B. Peck, Mr. John F. Rogers to Miss Maryette Gilbert, both of Oxford.

Married:  On Sunday, July 29th, by the Rev. S. Townsend, at Ransomville, Niagara Co. [NY], at the residence of the bride's father. Mr. Charles B Walker of Oxford [Chenango Co.., NY] to Miss Sylvette Hogue, only daughter of the Rev. Daniel Hogue of Dickersonville, Niagara County, N.Y.

Married:  In Greene [Chenango Co. NY] on the 20th inst. by Rev. H. Garlick, Mr. George McBirney to Miss Maryetta M. Beadle, both of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY]./

Died:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], on the 11th inst. Mr. Z.W. Elmore, aged 84 years.

Oxford Times, August 16, 1865

Death of Hon George W. Sumner

We are pained to record a shocking and terrible accident, strikingly suggestive of the truth that "in the midst of life we are in death," and which resulted in a sad fatality of the Hon. George W. Sumner, late of New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], on Thursday last.  Mr. Sumner in company with two companions had gone from Hammondsport, in a boat, for a pleasure excursion upon the Crooked Lake. At a distance of about forty rods from the shore, and while rocking the boat in a moment of careless sport, the boat capsized, one of his companions clung to it, and was rescued, but Mr. Sumner and the other made the attempt to swim to the shore, in which his companion succeeded, but he became exhausted and was drowned, but a short distance from the coveted bourn of safety.  To aggravate the crushing sense of their sudden bereavement, the deceased had but recently left his family and friends in unwonted health and spirits, after protracted sickness, and instead of the expected living form of him whom they loved so well, there was brought back to them only the cold, and lifeless ashes of the dead.  Mr. Sumner since his admission to the Bar, of which he was an able and worthy member, was a resident of New Berlin, where by the honorable and faithful practice of his profession, and the exercise of those virtues which illustrate in an eminent degree the character of the good citizen, and the upright man, he secured the universal esteem and respect of the community in which he lived. For two successive terms through the partiality of his friends, rather than his own seeking, he had served his district in the Assembly, and during each term was a member of the judiciary committee, the duties of which he discharged with an ability and fidelity which secured the approval and confidence of his associates of all parties.  But of him it may truly be said, that his promotion was less than his merits, and all the artificial honors of office which he received, were less than his sterling worth of character.  His best eulogy was from the lips of a friend and neighbor, who remarked to us at his funeral, that those who knew him best loved him most, and that intimacy with him ever increased confidence in and respect for the man.  Such too was the testimony of the sad and reverent concourse who crowded Sunday last to his funeral from St. Andrew's church, where with the solemn words of the Episcopal burial service his ashes were consigned to their kindred dust.

Vital Records, Oxford, NY, August 1865

 Oxford Times, August 2, 1865

Married:  In Warrensburg, Mo., on 18th July, by the Rev. R.A. Foster, Mr. Henry P. Hull of the Military Telegraph Corps, and formerly of this village [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Kate Rouch, of the former place.

Died:  In this village [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], on the 30th ult., Mr. Nelson Andrews, aged 49 years.

Died:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], on the 23d ult. Mr. Henry Bice, aged 24 years.

Died:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], on the 25th ult. Mrs. Mary Isabell Miller, aged 25 years, daughter of H. Ross and wife of George W. Miller.

Died:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], on the 25th ult. Amelia [Hoyt], wife of Dea. Chauncey Hoyt, aged 66 years.

Died:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 23d ult., Olive P. [Cowles], wife of Orlando F. Cowles, aged 27 years.

Died:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d ult., Mrs. Lucius Manwaring, aged 52 years.

Died:  In Coventryville [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d ult., Mr. Brownell Bulkley, aged 83 years.

Died:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], on the 21st ult., Hannah [Hanford], wife of Mr. Merrick Hanford.

Died:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d ult., Eliza [Ransford], widow of the late Hascall Ransford aged 58 years.

Died:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 19th ult. Mr. John Monroe, aged 91 years.

Died:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], on the 25th June, George T. [Coates], only child of John K. and Rebecca Coates, aged 14 years.

Died:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 22d ult. Walter A. Baldwin, son of Wm. Baldwin, aged 34 years.

Died:  In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], on the 23d ult. Mrs. Zevirh Lamb, aged 94 years.

Died:  In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], on the 28th ult. Charles A. [Lewis], son of Chas. H. and Julia Lewis, aged 10 years.

A gentleman from Salisbury, long a resident there, says that Major Gee, who was commandant of the prison at Salisbury, was shot dead near Charlotte by a rebel deserter, who had vowed vengeance against the Major for some brutality, and who "bushwhacked" the villain while he was riding through a pine thicket.  Of all the scoundrels who systematically starved and froze our brave soldiers in the prison pens of the south, there was none more deserving death, which seems to have overtaken him, than Gee.  He it was who, when asked if full rations could not be given the starved and dying Union prisoners, in December, 1864, as the storehouses were full, replied:  "No G-- d--n them, give then quarter rations; its more than they deserve."  He too, was responsible for the cold blooded massacre of our captives there when the attempted outbreak occurred on the 25th of November last.

Oxford Times, August 9, 1865

Married:  In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], on the 31st July, by Rev. E.D. Harrison, Mr. Amos Hoag of Columbus [Chenango Co., NY] to Mrs. Lucy A. Vincent of Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY].

Died:  In North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], July 29th, Laura [PerLee], wife of Isaac B. PerLee and daughter of Andrus Pellet, aged 23 years.

Died:  In South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], July 11th, Eliza [Smith], daughter of M. Smith, aged 46 years.

Died:  In South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], July 25, Mr. John Clarke.

Died:  At Minneapolis, Minn., July 20th, Mr. Rufus Baldwin in the -7th? year of his age.  He was a native of -?- Conn. and ever held true to his early training, which was after the Puritan pattern.  The later portion of his life was chiefly spent in Chenango Co., N.Y., where in consequence of [unreadable]

Free Again:  George Nichols who was for more than six months the victim of several rebel prisons, Andersonville included, has returned to his home in this village [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], George managed to keep body and soul together by working for extra rations, and only thus managed to weather it through.

Oxford Times, August 16, 1865

Married:  In Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 13th inst. by Rev. L.F. Spafford, Mr. Charles Hemingway of Oxford to Miss C.R. Smith of Preston [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], on the 28th July, by Rev. J.B. Hyde, Mr. Allington Olden of Williamsport, Pa., to Mrs. Delos Payne of Greene.

Married:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], on the 3d inst. by Rev. A.B. Jones, Mr. Avery Winchell of Greene, to Miss Augusta Fox of Triangle [Broome Co., NY].

Died:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY, on the 4th inst., Mr. P. Wescott Vromans, aged 26 years.

Died:  In Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], on the 6th inst. Mr. Calvin G. Brown, aged 50 years.

Died:  In Knoxville, Pa., July 29th, Hannah [Tiffany], wife of Humphrey Tiffany, aged 75 years, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].

Died:  In Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], June 27th, Lucy E. [Crandall], wife of Elias J. Crandall, aged 24 years.

Died:  In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], July 12th, of Diptheria, Mary J. [Bliven], wife of Ross Bliven, and eldest daughter of Samuel and Amy Miller, aged 23 years.  Another loved one has passed away.  One around whom so many fond hopes centered, has taken her departure from earth, and hearts unused to sorrow are rent with anguish, for death has entered the home circle and claimed for his own, the fond and loving daughter, the cherished companion, who but one short year ago, stood before the Altar a happy bride, just as life was opening before her with its sweet visions of happiness, and blessed with the pure and unchanging love of one she deeply loved in return, who to her was as a sweet summer's day upon which no clouds had arisen to mar its brightness.  But suddenly have these earthly ties been severed, and the day which dawned so brightly has been clouded with darkness. Ever kind and affectionate, possessed of a mild and loving disposition, she was endeared to a large circle of relatives and friends, who deeply mourn her loss, but at home she was known and loved the best.  There her sweet and gentle influence will ever be remembered, her kind and loving counsel can never be forgotten. When that terrible disease first claimed her for its victim, we trembled lest she too, like so many others, would fall a prey to the destroyer; but too true were our sad forebodings.  In a few short days all medical aid proved powerless, even a fond mother's tender anxious care through long and weary nights of watching, was of no avail. Then too well we knew that Mary soon must die.  Oh, the bitterness of that hour.  None but those who too have drank the bitter cup can know the agony of our hearts when we saw that death was slowly, but surely approaching, and we no power to save her.  Who but those can know the deeper anguish, The considerable loneliness of that fond husband, so early in life bereft of all that made life to him. But there is a balm for every bleeding heart.  It is a Father's hand that dealt the blow.  We remember with what sweet submission she yielded to His will; with what gentle patience she bore her sufferings, knowing to the last each loved one that lingered around her.  With kind messages for absent loved ones, and sweetly bidding us not to weep for her, but to cover her grave with the flowers she loved so well. She sweetly fell asleep to awake, we trust, in a brighter world than this.   A.

Sad and Fatal Accident:  A sad and fatal accident occurred in Worcester, Otsego County [NY] Thursday of last week.  Hamilton Robinson, Esq., and family, from New York, were spending the summer in that vicinity, and were out riding, when the horses took fright and ran away.  Mrs. Robinson and the footman were instantly killed, the son had his collar bone broken in two places and was otherwise injured, the driver was badly hurt, and Mr. Robinson was still unconscious at the last accounts.

Vital Records, Oxford, NY, July 1865

 Oxford Times, July 5, 1865

Married:  In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], on the 21st June, by Rev. J.L. jones, Mr. Henry M. Cushing of Cazenovia [Madison Co., NY], to Miss Harriet E. Willard, of New Berlin.

Married:  In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], on the 12th ult. by S. Steere, Esq., Mr. W.L. Haight to Miss Mary E. Crozier, both of New Berlin.

Married:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], on the 30th May, by Rev. M.G. Wadsworth, Mr. Alfred Chase to Miss Sarah J. Case, of North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].

Died:  In Wilmington, N.C. on the 23d May, Sarah T. [Price], wife of Dr. William J. Price, aged 41 years, formerly of Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY].

Oxford Times, July 12, 1865

Died:  In this town [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], on 23d June, Mr. Ira Bartholomew, aged 75 years and 10 months.

Died:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], July 2d, Mr. Daniel Green, late of the 20th N.Y. Cavalry.

Died:  In East Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], July 1, Mr. Joseph B. Rathbone, aged 25 years.

Died:  In Cleveland, Ohio, on the 1st inst. Mr. Daniel Dennison, aged 78 years, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].

Oxford Times,  July 19, 1865

Married:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], on the 11th inst. by Rv. Wm. C. White, Mr. William S. Anner of New York city, to Mrs. Katharine F. Farr, of Greene.

Married:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], on the 4th, by Rev. W. Burnside, Mr. Robert R. Clark to Miss Betsey A. Stokes, all of Smyrna.

Married:  In East Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], on the 6th, by Rev. L. Lawton, Mr. Wm. R. Davidson to Miss Mary D. Finch, both of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].

Died:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], June 16th, Mr. Seth Johnson, aged 63 years.

Died:  In Smithville Flatts [Chenango Co., NY], on the 2d, Mrs. Jennett Terrell, aged 57 years.

Died:  In Smithville [Chenango Co. NY], on the 11th inst. Mrs. Martha G. Lucas, aged 76 years.

Died:  In Bath, Steuben County [NY], on the 16th inst. N.J. Wheeler, Esq., formerly of Greene [Chenango Co., NY], aged 40 years.

Oxford Times, July 26, 1865

Married:  In Windham, Ct., on the 12th inst., by Alfred H. Stubbs, Mr. Elisha G. Hammond of Windham, to Miss Rebecca Wheeler [Avery], daughter of R.R. Avery, Esq. of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], July 9th, by W.T. Priest, Esq., Mr. Cornelius O. Wood to Miss Maggie Harricon, both of DeRuyter, Madison Co. [NY].

Married:  In Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], on the 4th, by Rev. W.G. Queal, Mr. William C. Thayer of Butternuts [Otsego Co., NY] to Miss Maria Bennett of Guilford.

Died:  In Morris, Otsego Co. [NY], on 8th inst. Hon. Samuel S. Bowne, aged about 70 years.

Died:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on 13th, Josephine M. [Chamberlin], daughter of Sherman Chamberlin, aged 11 months.

Oxford Times, July 5, 1865

Sad and Fatal Accident

The community is today thrown into sadness at the occurrence of a sad accident by which one of its most promising young men was suddenly called from their midst. George P. Rowe, the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Rowe of Henry street, and their only son, was accidentally shot in his own room about 8 o'clock this (Monday) morning.

The circumstances as far as known are as follows:  The deceased was in the habit of carrying about her person a pistol with which he occasionally practiced for his own amusement. This morning he prepared himself for coming down to the First National Bank, where he was employed as book keeper, and just after finishing his breakfast spoke to his mother, the only person with him in the house, and said he would put on another coat to go down, as it was either raining or looking as though it were about to rain.  He went upstairs to his room, and immediately after his mother heard the report of a pistol.  She ran upstairs and entering his room found him fallen over on an open drawer containing some of his clothes, he being insensible and the blood running from a wound in his head into the drawer.  He had no coat on and a pistol was either in his hand or lying by him. The drawer was the only one in the piece of furniture, and was situated near the floor.  It would appear that he was stooping over the drawer when the pistol from some cause accidentally going off, its contents were discharged into his head, the charge entering at the top of the forehead just at the roots of the hair, and lodging somewhere in the brain.  He lived about an hour, but was totally unconscious from the time he was shot.

The deceased was a talented, industrious, honest and persevering young man.  His age was a little under twenty, but for years he has done the business of a man.  He was a careful and accurate business man, and left his books at the Bank on Saturday night last all correctly closed up to that time.  Binghamton Republican.

Soldier's Letter, Civil War, July 1863 -Battle of Port Hudson

 Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, july 29, 1863

Letter from the 161st NY Regiment - Battle of Port Hudson

Donaldsonville, La., July 15th, 1863

Messrs. Editors:  Two months have passed since I last wrote to you.  My negligence arises from the fact that I have no pen, paper or ink available.  I will now give you a brief account of our movements since.  

Our Regiment and brigade left camp at Baton Rouge on the 13th of May, as we then supposed for a day's march towards Port Hudson, taking with us no baggage except our guns and equipments. Guerson's Ill. cavalry accompanied us.  We marched 19 miles and encamped within 6 miles of Port Hudson.  The next day we moved up and supported the Ill. cavalry who cut the rail road and telegraph leading to Clinton.  We remained in camp until the morning of the 21st when being joined by Gen. Augur with the 1st Brigade of his Division, we marched up in the direction of Port Hudson. 

About 9 o'clock, just as our leading columns were emerging through a piece of woods and into a tract known as "Store Plain", they were opened upon by a rebel battery about 800 yards in advance.  The shells went whizzing thick and fast by us, and bursting closely around.  It was the first music of the kind I have heard, and from the general ducking of heads I presume it was new to most of the regiment.  The column was brought to a halt for a moment and then deployed in line of battle to the right and left.  Our Regiment was on the left of the right wing which placed us near the center of the whole line, and directly in front of the rebel battery. We moved through the woods up to the edge of the clearing and in plain sight of the enemy's batteries  Our own batteries were soon placed in position directly behind us, and were ordered to lie close, in which position we remained about an hour, with the shot and shell of both batteries flying over. The 2d Louisiana deployed to the extreme right, outflanked the enemy and drove them from the field, the firing ceased and we were masters of the position. 

We stacked arms in the center of the field, and in about two hours the battle was renewed, the enemy receiving reinforcements from Port Hudson.  They opened upon us from two sides with 42 pieces of artillery, and at the same time charged upon us and took two pieces of artillery, owing to the cowardice of the 48th Massachusetts who broke and run at the first fire of the enemy. The 49th Mass. also broke and run when ordered to charge.  The 116th N.Y. was then moved forward to the roused.  They charged at the point of the bayonet, drove the rebels from the field, took 100 prisoners, retook the 2 pieces of artillery and closed up the fight.  Gen. Augur was under positive orders to advance no further than the Store Plains, and could not follow up his victory.  The force of the enemy opposed to us was about 3000 infantry, a part of the garrison of Port Hudson.  On the 23d, Gen. Sherman occupied Springfield Landing on the left and Gen. Banks moved down from Bayou Sara to the right, and from that moment the fate of Port Hudson was sealed.  They were completely surrounded.  

On the 26th, preparations were made for a general assault.  Storming parties of 25 men, volunteers from each regiment in our Division to lead the advance.  Such was the zeal which animated the men that 150 of our regiment were anxious for the honor of the position.  Three men only could go from a company.  Chenango was represented by Charles A. Herrick of Columbus, Wm. Wilson of Norwich, and the 1st Sergt. of Co K. Early on the morning of the 27th the ball opened and the troops moved forward.  They had nearly 2 miles to advance through woods and deep ravines running in every possible direction, forming the strongest kind of  fortifications, and every rod of ground was contested by the rebels, and every inch of our advance stubbornly resisted.  On the right and left of us the fight was the most severe.  About 10 A.M. our Brigade moved to the right of our line to take the place of Grover's Division who moved down to assist Weitzel's Brigade, who was hard pressed by the rebels.  Our Brigade occupied the outer lines of the enemy's works, but they were so situated that all the approaches to them from the rear could be raked by the fire of the enemy's cannon from his main works.  To silence these works the storming party moved forward in column along the Bayou Sara road, leading directly into the fort.  600 yards from our Brigade we met about 800 of the enemy who opened fire upon us which we as promptly returned, and charging them, drove them behind their main works. We then deployed as skirmishers, protecting ourselves as well as we could behind logs, and in ravines.  They fired upon us about half an hour with musketry and grape, which we returned with interest.  In an hour we silenced every cannon upon the works, and not a rebel dared to show his head over the parapet.  We were within 50 yards of the main works of the enemy, and expecting and hoping orders to move over the works, but orders soon came from Gen. Banks to permit no more charges, as he had already lost heavily on the right and left, in vain attempts to carry the earthworks.  I shall ever believe that had we been permitted to charge at this time we could have easily carried their works. We had lost but few men out of our storming party, were flushed with success, behind us was one of the best Brigades in the Corps, which had not been engaged in the fight, and was eager to advance. The enemy were demoralized in front of us, which was evidenced from the fact that some dozen of them jumped over the works and gave themselves up.  But all of this was unknown to the Generals in the rear, and we had to content ourselves by occupying the position won, and allow the enemy to reorganize his forces in front, while we lay down, hungry and thirsty, to watch him till morning. We were relieved about 9 o'clock the next morning, having had nothing to eat for the last 24 hours.

The loss on the 27th was estimated at 1000 killed and wounded.  Our lines were advanced and the enemy were everywhere driven behind their works.  The Negro brigade fought manfully and their loss was heavy, but not so bad as represented.  The regiment lost about two hundred.  Our storming party were kept together until the 30th, when our regiment was ordered to the front to support a Massachusetts regiment which occupied the ground taken by us on the 27th. We moved in front and were met by a murderous fire of grape canister and musketry which in a few moments cut down seven out of twenty men in our squad.  The fire was terrible. After lying down about half-an-hour we were withdrawn to the rear where we found the poltroons of the Massachusetts Regiment in a ravine, instead of holding the enemy's works as they might have done.  They had cowardly sneaked back into a ravine and allowed the enemy to [...unreadable...] notified by their retreat.  Our regiment lost up to this time about a dozen men, all from the storming party except one.  

The 114th Regiment arrived about the 1st of June, and I was pleased to see and shake hands with many an old friend from Chenango. The time from the 27th of May to the 14th of June was occupied in bringing up and placing in position heavy gage guns which kept up a constant bombardment.  On the 14th an assault was ordered over the same ground which our storming party passed on the 27th.  The different regiments moved through a ravine nearly parallel with the enemy's fortifications, and to reach the works had to pass over a ridge fully exposed to fire from the entire center of the rebels' line.  The 4th Wisconsin led the advance and scaled the entrenchments. they were not supported.  The balance of the regiments became mixed up in the ravine.  Their officers in leading them on were shot down as fast as they showed themselves. The men in many of the regiments refused to advance.

No orders were given to withdraw, and they remained there from daylight until dark, when they were brought off.  Cases of individual bravery and daring were here enacted, but no concentrated attack was made upon the entrenchments except by the 4th Wisconsin, who were all killed, wounded, or taken prisoners. Many Companies would reach the ditch, but before doing so would be so badly cut up that it would have been madness to proceed farther.  Five companies of the 11th were here engaged, and behaved with admitted bravery, two or three of them getting into the ditch outside of the parapets.  It was here the lamented Col. Smith was mortally wounded while gallantly leading on his men.  It was a complete slaughter pen for us. The enemy could not be seen in front and every one of our men who showed himself was instantly shot. We lost 1000 men on a few acres and the ground to this day is moist with their blood.  

On the 16th, Gen. Banks called for 1000 volunteers to form a forlorn hope to lead a third storming party, evidently not liking the idea of giving up his project of carrying their works by storm.  The men were very reluctant to volunteer after being twice repulsed, and yet about eight hundred men stepped forward. These were formed into two brigades and drilled for the purpose.  Charles Herrick volunteered from our company and Sergeant Calkins and Corporal Walger, of Otselic volunteered from the 114th.  The 114th furnished six volunteers, four of whom were from Brookfield, company G. We occupied a camp on the right near Thompson's creek.  Had but little work to do, excellent water, abundant rations, a good band of music and had a good time of it for three weeks. The post of honor proved to be to us the place of leisure and enjoyment. Banks addressed us on the 1st of July and promised that we should spend the 4th in Port Hudson, but it came and passed and no orders came.  On the 7th we received news of the fall of Vicksburg.  The next day Port Hudson surrendered.  On the morning of the 9th Gen Banks at the head of our storming brigade marched inside the entrenchments with our band playing Yankee Doodle.  The garrison were drawn in one line by which we marched the entire length. The enemy laid down their arms, and our brigade being disbanded, we rejoined our different regiments. 

I found the 161st on board the St. Charles.  We steamed down the river in the evening and the next morning landed at this place.  The enemy were in heavy force in front of us, had attacked the small force here in Fort Butler and were severely repulsed.  On the 12th inst., three regiments of our Brigade moved down the Bayou on the north side while Col Morgan moved along the south. We found the enemy in force in about a mile and drove them about four miles when we encamped. We fared sumptuously on chickens, sweet potatoes, green corn, tomatoes, melons, &c.  At noon of the 13th we were attacked by the enemy in heavy force on both sides of the Bayou, and Col. Morgan commenced a retreat on the south side. This left our left flank exposed, and the enemy poured heavy fire into us from the levee opposite of us, and at the same time a heavy force of mounted men commenced to flank us on the right. The brigade were ordered to fall back, and the 161st covered the retreat. We fell back for five miles fighting all the way, most of the time under a flank fire from under the levee opposite, and a part of the time we were flanked on both sides, the enemy following so closely in our rear.  Our men fought bravely and manfully. Scarcely a man faltered, but moved through a raking fire in almost a dozen  halts, and then would pour into the enemy our fire, check them for several moments, and then slowly move on in line of battle.  Our loss was heavy.  Seventy-three men out of about two hundred and fifty were killed, wounded and missing. The loss in our Company was seven, three killed, two wounded, and two taken prisoners. Sergt. E.W. Thatcher and privates A. Wilcox and Erastus Booth were killed, Sergt. W.R. Sliter and H.E. Storrs wounded, the latter slightly, Wm. Weaver and H. Gridley taken prisoners.  The latter afterwards came in and said he was paroled.  The men and officers in Company K in this, their first real battle, behaved as coolly as regulars, not a man faltered. Captain Tillson was conspicuous throughout the six hours we were under fire for his cool and daring bravery.  No officer or man in the regiment was more exposed than he, and to his vigilant and watchful foresight the men and regiment are much indebted. At one time he observed a strong picket fence to our rear stretching across the line of our march. He obtained leave to send six of his men to tear down the fence which they successfully accomplished. When the regiment arrived at the fence torn down, the enemy poured a shower of bullets into our ranks and we lost many men here.  Had we been compelled to have torn down the fence we must have suffered severely.  At another time we came upon four or five skulkers from a Massachusetts regiment, who had thrown away their arms.  He immediately ordered them into the ranks, and furnished them guns and compelled them to fight but they left at the first opportunity.  Lieut. Ludington proved himself every inch a brave man and good soldier.

The force opposed to us is variously estimated from 8000 to 20,000, under the command of Dick Taylor. We shall clean them out soon. We have heard the glorious news from the north and it gladdens our hearts.  Everywhere we triumph!

Yours Truly, S.E.W.

Vital Records, Norwich, NY, January 1866

 Marriage records for January 17 & 24 have been previously posted, and can be found by searching on January 17, 1866 and January 24, 1866.

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, January 10, 1866

Died:  In Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], Jan. 5th, 1866, Cyrus Strong, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], in the 89th year of his age.

Died:  In Delhi, Mich., Dec. 21st, Mr. Gad Wells, formerly of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], aged about 79 years.

Died:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 29th, Miss A.E. Treadway, aged 24 years.

Died:  In South Oxford [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 4th, Maryette [Willcox], daughter of Albert S. and Lorinda Willcox, aged 5 years.

Died:  In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 5th, Miss Ann L. Ward, aged 19 years.

Died:  In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 2d, Mrs. Pharsalia Scott, aged 43 years.

Died:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 2d, Mr. John W. Reynolds, aged 40 years.

Died:  In Owego [Tioga Co. NY], Jan. 7th, Mrs. Ann Tobin [Atwater], wife of Chas. Atherton, formerly of Greene [Chenango Co., NY], aged 38 years.

Died:  in South Boston, Ionia Co., Mich., Dec. 27th, from the falling of a limb, Mr. William Coats, formerly of Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], aged 50 years.

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, January 24, 1866

Died:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 19th, 1866, Clara [Childs], wife of Edward Childs, aged 61 years.

Died:  At the residence of her son-in-law, Morgan Titus, in North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Dec. 28th, of paralysis, Mrs. Philena Crandall, aged 79 years and 9 months.

Died:  In Afton [Chenango Co., NY], Nov. 14th of consumption, Mr. Aaron Emmons, formerly of N.H., aged 79 years.

Chenango Union, Norwich NY, January 31, 1866

Married:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], Jan. 22d by Rev. A.L. York, Mr. Charles E. Bacon of Norwich  to Miss Emma Ames, of Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY].

Married:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 9th, by Rev. S .Scoville, Mr. George W. Brooks to Miss Julia A. Snow, all of Norwich.

Married:  In Killawog, Broome Co. [NY], Jan. 9th, by Rev. W.R. Cobb, Mr. Ralph Randall of Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY], to Miss Jemima M. Hill of the former place.

Married:  In Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 1st, by Rev. Mr. Buell, Mr. Lucius Manwarring, to Miss Emily C. Mandeville, all of Coventry.

Married:  In Triangle, Broome Co. [NY], Jan. 16th, by Rev. H.W. Barnes, Mr. Lewis J. Waters, of Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Libbie Jefford, of Triangle.

Married:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 17th, by Rev. Lyman Sperry, William B. Garratt, Esq. of Spencer [Tioga Co., NY], to Miss Nettie E. Rose of Bainbridge.

Married:  In Canandaigua [Ontario Co., NY], Jan. 20th, by Rev. O.E. Daggett, Lewis S. Hayes, Esq., of Greene [Chenango Co. NY], to Miss Sarah E. Swarthout, of the former place.

Married:  New Years Eve, at the house of the bride's parents, in Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], by Rev. D.V. Bowen, Capt. Burton B. Porter, of Baltimore, Md., to Miss Libbie Beasley, daughter of Joseph Beasley.

Died:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 27th, Arlina [DeForest] wife of Charles H. DeForest, aged 26 years and 5 months.

Died:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 22d, Ida R. [Brushell], daughter of Amos Brushell, aged 16 years.

Died:  In Pitcher [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 12th, Lydia [Harvey], beloved wife of James Harvey, aged 39 years and 10 months.

Died:  in Greene [Chenango Co. NY], Jan. 17th, Anna [Reach], wife of Asael Reach, deceased, aged 64 years.