Sherburne News, Sherburne, NY, September 21, 1872
The Deceased Soldiers of Sherburne
by H.H. Beecher
Israel Otis Foote: son of Israel and Lucy Foote, was born in Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY], November 9, 1834. He graduated at Union College, with honorary degree of A.B. in class of '58. After spending about two years south in teaching, he returned north and commenced the study of law, in which he had become well advanced, when a higher and nobler service called him to the defense of his country. Enlisted at Morrisville, September 2, 1861, in Capt. Brady's Company C, 61st Regiment N.Y.S.V. He was promoted to Sergeant and served in Howard's brigade of Sumner's Corps. At the battle of Fair Oaks, when the left guidon of the regiment had been shot down, the standard was given to this gallant soldier, who carried it through the fight. For his coolness and bravery upon this occasion he was promoted Corporal and subsequently to Sergeant. Passing a few weeks from sickness in a Philadelphia hospital, he joined his regiment in time to participate in the battle of Fredericksburg, under Burnside, in which he lost his life December 13, 1862. It is reported that during the night previous to the battle he was seriously ill and that his comrades endeavored to dissuade him from going into the fight. With that fidelity to duty and country that ever characterizes the true soldier, he promptly replied that it was no time then for a man just from the hospital to shirk duty. Our last account leaves him wounded upon the field in a dying condition. whether committed to earth by friends or foes or not buried at all, is wholly unknown.
Isaac Plumb, Jr.: son of Isaac and Catherine Plumb, was born in New York City, January 10, 1842. When the rebellion came on, young Plumb was employed in Fairchild's gold pen manufactory, New York. Desirous of entering the service, at the solicitation of his father he returned to Sherburne, enlisting the first day of September 1861, in Captain Brady's Company, 61st New York. He served in the Potomac army, second corps and was successfully promoted through the various minor grades of office till he received a Captain's commission. In 1863 he was detached for a time on recruiting service in the city of New York. He was in battle at Fair Oaks, Peach Orchard, Savage's Station, White Oak Swamp, Charles City X Road, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Brand Station, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristol Station, Minie run, Spotsylvania Court house, Todds Tavern, North and South Anna Rivers, Cold Harbor, Po River and Gaines Mills. While acting as officer of the day at Gaines Mills, June 18, 1864, he received a ball through the thigh and was also wounded in the elbow. Removed to Campbell Hospital, Washington, D.C. where he died from the effects of his injuries, July 4, 1864. His remains were brought home by his father and buried in the Sherburne cemetery.
George R Miller: whose parents were Philip and Mary E. Miller, was born in Sherburne, January 2, 1841. When the 114th New York was recruited, he left the farm for the field, enlisting August 4, 1862, in Company F of that regiment in which he was made Corporal. While at Fortress Monroe, where for a couple of months he was detained in hospital on account of sickness, he was detailed to assist in the management of what was known as the "Whitehead Farm," appropriated for government use, and subsequently was placed in charge of another plantation of several hundred acres, owned by a Dr. Baxter, and known as the "Baxter Farm," having at this last place 175 contrabands in his employ. His skill as a farmer enabled him to furnish a large quantity of corn and other products for the consumption of the army. Having been released from special duty by reason of an order from Gen. Butler, calling in certain detached soldiers, early in 1864, he gladly joined his company, from which he had been so long separated. He participated in all the battles and skirmishes of the Red River campaign, and was killed at Winchester, (Opequan, Va.) September 19, 1864. His right arm was torn off by a fragment of shell and his breast badly mangled. This brave soldier was the first of the one hundred and eighty-eight men of the regiment that day who offered up a glorious sacrifice. He was buried on that bloody field near the spot on which he fell.
William Wesley Wakely: son of Samuel and Phidelia Wakeley was born in Hamilton, N.Y. [Madison Co. NY] November 15, 1837. By occupation a mechanic, he laid aside his implements to uphold with his musket his country's flag, enlisting August 2, 1862, in Company F, 114th, N.Y.V. Promoted from Corporal to Sergeant in February 1864 and was often entrusted with the important duty of bearing the regimental colors. With his company he took part in the battles and marches of the Red River expedition, the siege of Port Hudson, and in the fight at Winchester. Killed in the battle of Cedar Creek on the 19th of October, this faithful soldier was buried alongside the others who that day fell on the banks of that bloody stream.
Clarkson J. Briggs son of Myron and Phila Briggs, was born in Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY], November 22, 1843. A farmer, he enlisted in Sherburne, January 8, 1864, in the 4th New York Heavy Artillery, and served in the Potomac army. Was in the battles of the Wilderness May 5th to 15th, 1864, Spottsylvania, May 19th, North Anna River, May 25th, and Hanover Court House, May 30th. Also participated in the battles around Cold Harbor from June 3d to 12th and at Petersburg on the 17th and 18th of that month. Contracted chronic diarrhea from exposure in the field, died at City Point hospital and was there buried.
George W. Miller, son of Gardner C. and Olive G. Miller, was born in Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY], June 23, 1844, and brought up upon a farm. This young soldier was among the first to enter the service, enlisting as a two years' volunteer in Company H, 17th Regiment N.Y.S.V. In May he was taken sick in New York with measles and was sent to the hospital where he remained till July. Returned home and for many months was under treatment, when his health recovering, he again joined his regiment and was in the battle of Sharpsburg. A portion of the army being sent to the protection of Harpers Ferry, he was crowded off the bridge at that place, falling thirty feet, fracturing three ribs and sustaining serious internal injuries He was taken to the citizens volunteer hospital, which he reached in an exhausted condition on the 10th of November, 1872. He died the 18th and was there buried in a soldier's grave.
Sherburne News, Sherburne, NY, May 24, 1873
Letter from Dr. Beecher
Norwich, May 20, 1873: Editor Sherburne News: Noticing that you are to observe Decoration Day in Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY], and which I am glad to learn, however gratifying it would be to have your people upon that occasion unite with us, I send you herewith the second instalment of sketches of the deceased soldiers of your town.
My first you will recollect was published in the 23d No. of the News, Vol IX, of date September 21, 1872. This embraces, in substance, all the material I have for anything like a desirable and trustworthy Record of Sherburne's heroic dead. After waiting for over three years since issuing blank circulars to elicit the required facts and data, I am lead to believe that your citizens have adopted some better method for procuring and preserving a history of their fallen sons. Had the needed information been furnished, with such knowledge as I might chance to possess, especially of members of the 114th Regiment, I would cheerfully have given the time and labor necessary for a completion of the task.
Hoping your observance of Memorial Day may be carried forward in a manner creditable to the living and honorable to the dead, and wishing you success personally and in the publication of the News, I am, in haste, Very Respectfully, H.H. Beecher
Edgar J. Willey: Son of David N. and Lydia Willey was born in Hamilton [Madison Co. NY], Jan. 8, 1836. By occupation a farmer, early in the war Willey left the plough standing in the furrow to serve his country, enlisting September 2d, 1861 in Company C, Captain Broady's regiment, 61st New York. From private he was promoted to Corporal, serving mostly in Howard's Brigade, Richardson's Division, Sumner's Corps, Army of the Potomac. He was in the besieging army of Yorktown and Peninsular campaign of 1862. In the battle of Fair Oaks, fought May 31st and June 1st, he received his death wounds, being shot through the lungs and in the arm. He was first treated in a field hospital, thence carried to White House Landing and placed on Hospital Transport Knickerbocker, upon which he died June 7, 1862. Buried at White House Landing.
Sanford W. Brooks: was a son of John and Fanny Brooks, and born in Hamilton, Madison Co. [NY] in October 1839. In September 1861, young Brooks enlisted in the 61st New York Volunteers, and faithfully served with his regiment till wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks. After receiving his wounds, he lived six days and was buried on or near the battlefield.
John H. Perkins: son of Benjamin and Mariah Perkins, was born in Columbus [Chenango Co. NY], October 15th, 1836. In 1861, this soldier left farm labor for the field, enlisting on the 30th of September in Company C, 61st New York. He served in the first Brigade, first Division, second Corps, Army of the Potomac. He participated in the battles of Fair Oaks, Peach Orchard, Savage's Station, White Oak Swamp, and all the battles of his regiment in the campaign of 1862. He went as far as Manassas and the Rappahannock. Died at Camp Convalescent, Alexandria, Va., of chronic diarrhea, Oct. 25, 1862.
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