time when he heard the clarion-notes of duty's call, and so
heartily responded.
Walter G. Duckett. — There were those who liked Washington
so well that they concluded to remain there. Among them was
the young man who had served the 2d Battalion in the capacity
of hospital steward. His merits in this line of duty were rec-
ognized, and he was transferred to the U. S. A., remaining till
April. 1866.
Locating in the Capital of the nation, he has continued to do
a business in the pharmaceutical line ever since. Few veterans
of the Ninth fail to call on him when in Washington, and they
almost made his store their headquarters in 1892.
John F. Failing. — The long time efficient hospital steward
of the Ninth is now an M. D. in Grand Rapids, Mich. It is a
source of regret that more extended data are not at hand, but
he lends a hand to the making of this book.
Chauncey Fish. — He is entitled to the rank of major, but
somehow to a great many, it comes more natural to call him
"captain," just a little nearer, for a captain is in close contact
with those who follow, and when we look at the origin of the
word, what is there higher than the head? and that is what the
word comes from.
Of Massachusetts stock, Chauncey Fish has in his own life
and in that of his sons fully exemplified the merits of his ances-
tors, who repeatedly stood for what they deemed their rights.
His parents. Thomas and Sarah (Gallop) Fish, settled in Wil-
liamson in 1810, and there in 1828, January 22d. our captain
27
418 NINTH NEW YORK HEAVY ARTILLERY.
was born, the second of nine children. His wife was Phoebe J.
Cottrell, also of Williamson, and of New Jersey descent. They,
too, have had nine children, of whom Myron and John were
members of the same company with their father. Myron was
killed at Winchester in 1864, and John died in 1809.
Captain Fi.sh was one of the most active agents in the rais-
ing of Company B, and he went away from Auburn as 1st
sergeant. Every promotion was fairly earned, and to this day
no officer of the Ninth enjoys a higher degree of respect than the
captain, who gave time, his own blood and that of his son in
the defense of country. Afflicted with infirmities, largely re-
sulting from exposure in the field, he has tilled his farm since
the war, save as he held the government position of collector
of customs in Pultneyville, which place he filled for seven years.
No door in Wayne county swings open to an old soldier any
more easily than that of the captain's house, and a G. A. K.
button is an open sesame to the best that he possesses. Unless
illness prevents, he is always present at the county and regi-
mental reunions, and when he rises to speak he is sure of at-
tentive listeners, for every one knows that he has something to
say, and that he will say it. He belongs to the Post of the G.
A. B. which bears the name of his boy slain in battle.
He is a brevet major, having received that title from Andrew
Johnson on account of his bravery at Sailor's Creek. He retains
with a deal of pride, every bit of which is pardonable, a letter
from Governor Fenton transmitting the commission, and the
same is reproduced here.
State of New York, Executive Department.
Albany, Nov. 8, 186G.
Brevet Major Chauncey Fish.
Dear Sir: I have the pleasure to transmit herewith a brevet
commission, conferred by the president in recognition of your
faithful and distinguished services in the late war.
In behalf of the state, allow me to thank you for the gallantry
and devotion which induced the conspicuous mention by the
General Government. I feel a lively solicitude in all (hat re-
lates to the honor and j)rosperity of the soldiers of the Union
army, and especially those who advanced its renown while de-
fending the cause of our common country.
Very respectfully,
R. E. FENTON.
PERSONAL SKETCHES. 419
Perhaps the signature of Edwin M. Stanton affixed to the
commission <;ives as much, if not more, pleasure than that of the
president.
Mrs. Fish has preceded her gallant husband to tlie other
world and to the society of the sons who went even earlier, but
seven children are yet here to enjoy the favor in which their
father lives. Whole-hearted, devoted, persevering, honest, Cap-
tain Fish survives, a magnificent type of the American citizen
soldier.
Cyrus E. Fitch. — One of the merry boys who kept the camp
in good humor, or at least did his part towards it, was "Cy"
Fitch of Company A, and when at later dates his brother,
George, his cousin, Irving, and his uncle, Allen, appeared, "those
Fitches"' were frequently referred to. They were a good lot,
from the youngest, George, up to Uncle Allen, who acknowl-
edged to forty-four years. Irving was killed at Cedar Creek,
and has the peculiar distinction of a headstone in Winchester
National Cemetery, while his body, with another memorial, is
buried in Wolcott. George and the uncle have both answered
to the roll-call on the other side, since the war.
Cyrus, living in that part of Butler near the Wolcott line,
where he runs a farm with fruit-growing and evaporating at-
tachments, has affiliations with the latter town, but he has been
an office-holder in his own town, being the supervisor for at
least two terms.
He is one of the regular attendants at the Wayne county
veterans' reunions, and if anything is to be done to help along
the cause of tlie Ninth, he is ever ready to assist.
Dennis E. Flynn. — There was no jollier ofiQcer in the regi-
ment than the lieutenant and later captain who first saw the
light in the city of Cork, Ireland, 1833. An aunt brought him
to America when he was but eight years old. He worked upon
a farm near Auburn till he was about eighteen; then he went
to Port Byron and clerked in a grocery till 1857, when he moved
to Clyde, starting a grocery business for himself. The next
year he was married to Miss Mary Cavanaugh of Port Byron,
and in Clyde, 1862 fouud him.
He raised a company for the 111th, but for some reason he did
not go. Then came the next regiment, and he went in, as we
know. His merry laugh drove away many a fit of the blues,
and if he himself was ever down in the mouth, he took good care
420 NINTH NEW YORK HEAVY ARTILLERY.
that others should not know it. His presence was better than
medicine. He got a little touch from a bit of a shell at Cedar
Creek, but was not seriously hurt.
Coming home from the war he resumed business in Clyde,
but was carried off by disease in 1873 at the age of forty. Mem-
bers of his family continue to reside in Clyde, justly proud of the
record made by the husband and father in the days when every
man was expected to show his colors.
Charles A. Ford. — Resident in Homer, N. Y., our comrade
has long suffered from an illness that makes him a member of
the "Shut-in Club," but his brain is active, and he writes ex-
cellent verse, bits of which are found in the history. He also
has vivid memories of war-times and draws out on occasion very
pleasant pictures of men and events of 1864 and '65.
He was born in Genoa, N. Y., Sept. 12, 1844, but came, when
a child, with his parents to Homer. Had the privileges of Cort-
land Academy, but at sixteen years of age began learniug the
harness-making trade. Resumed that work when he came home
from the war. Was married in 1866, and has reared a family
of five children. He has been a member of the village board
and town clerk, and he says of himself.
"Am waiting now for orders
To cross another stream;
Whose further shore
Shall know no more
Of war's fierce lurid gleam."
Philip R. Freeoff. — This genial of3acer of Company I was born
in Gimbsheim, Germany, May 21, 1820. He had had military
experience in his native land, though he came to America in
1839 or 1840, locating in Auburn, which continued to be his
home. He was a horticulturist, and his greenhouses and
flowers at one time formed a great attraction. He was one
of the directors of the Gas Company in 1850; was an alderman
in 1853 and '54; was a member of the Willard Guard, and at
the time of his enlistment was an officer in the state's prison in
Auburn, his fellow keepers giving him a sword and equipments;
the sword, beautifully engraved, was carried by him through-
out the war. It is to-day a highly-prized object to his grandson
and namesake.
During the campaign of 1864 he was injured in one eye, losing
the sight of it. His military record is told in that of Company
PERSONAL SKETCHES. 421
I. Coming home in May, 1865, he lived till March 1st, 1879,
when he passed awav after a short illness.
Oscar J. Frost. — In Company A we always called him ser-
geant, and, possibly, some of his Ked Creek fellow citizens do
now, but the time, really long, seems brief since the Wolcott
farmer did his part in war-duties. He was an active, alert sol-
dier; he is just as ready and persistent now as a man of affairs
in his native town.
David P. Gamble. — A veteran of Company B, Comrade Gam-
ble resides in East Palmyra, and makes a specialty of essential
oils, peppermint, spearmint and tansy, those peculiar products
of Wayne county.
He is thoroughly interested in all that pertains to the pros-
perity of the regiment,
William E. Greenwood. — Lieutenant Greenwood of Company
B represented western Wayne in the Assembly in 1872. He died
in West Walworth Aug. 5, 1898, aged sixty-eight years.
Truman Gregory. — Captain Gregory, who received his death-
wound at Cold Harbor, having received the commission of
major, though he was not mustered, was a Baptist minister, born
in Vermont; at least so claimed.
He was preaching in Ontario Centre when he began to raise
Company B. Before this he had preached in Richville, St.
Lawrence county, beginning in 1852; thence going West, he was
in Lee, Avon and Berwick, Illinois, till 1850, preaching and
farming. Again in 1857 he was in Richville, where he remained
two or three years.
Apparently he came to Wayne county soon afterwards, and
the remainder of his life is written in the history of the regi-
ment. His son, Lyman, was in the same company with him-
self.
Daniel B. Harmon. — One of the vivid pictures in memory's
gallery is that of Lieutenant Harmon at Monocacy, on the brow
of the hill, to which we had fallen back, with his sword in air,
rallying his men with the cry, "Rally round the flag, men," It
is pleasant to remember him in that attitude.
He was born in Great Barrington, Mass., but when small
came with his father to York state. In the same company
there were three brothers, Daniel. William and Alfred. He was
by trade a house carpenter, but having excellent musical ability,
he gave much time to that art. He taught many a singing-
school in Wavne countv.
422 NINTH NEW YORK HEAVY ARTILLERY.
Some time after the war be moved away from Rose, and held
several contracts for work on the Erie canal. At the time of
his death, April 30, 1896, he was postmaster at Palmyra. He
was in his sixty-second year, having been born July 11, 1834.
Truman S. Harvey. — Lieutenant Harvey has made Auburn
his home for many years, though he was born in the town of
Shelby. Macomb county, Mich., May 25. 1S40. In 1849 he became
a resident of Red Creek, and in 1852 went to live with an aunt
in Cayuga county. In 1857 he had the benefits of Red Creek
Academy, and in 1859 began learning the carpenter's trade.
His military record appears in connection with Company A.
Since the war he has worked at his trade; in a shop; and for the
last eleven years has been foreman of the woodworking depart-
ment of the Xew Birdsall Company, makers of engines, thresh-
ers and saw-mills.
He is blessed with a wife and four children; is a member of
the Wall Street Jlethodist Church, and for twenty-eight consec-
utive years superintendent of its Sunday-school.
Renjaiiiin F. Hoffman. — Residing at Johnson's Creek,Niagara
county, our former Company G sergeant and D lieutenant tills
the soil and claims that his life is without incident, — all the
more useful, possibly, for its very quiet.
Charles W. Hough. — The record of Captain Hough was not
duplicated in the Ninth. He enlisted as private in Company E,
and then rose through the grades of corporal, sergeant, sergeant
major to 2d and 1st lieutenant, and was mustered out from the
2d Heavy Artillery as captain.
He saw long service on the staffs of Generals J. A. Ha.skin
and O. B. Wilcox of the defenses. He is now the treasurer of
the Ward Plow Company of Batavia, N. Y.
Orson Howard. — Captain H. was twenty-four years old when
he was mustered in as 1st lieulenaut of Company I, and thus
was twenty-six when his young life was poured out at Cedar
Creek. He had been ca])tain of Comi)any E but a few days
when the ordeal came. The portrait of the young officer clearly
indicates qualities which made him a popular comrade, one of
whom the friends of long ago always sjieak in the highest terms.
A Company E man who was in the battle thus describes the
final hours of the ofl8cer: "In the afternoon when we left our
works, we advanced nearly to a cleared lot, when some one .said
the rcbs were charging down upon us, so we halted a short time.
PERSONAL SKETCHES. 423
but found it to he a false alarm, and on we wont. We soon came
to the cleared tield. Someliow or other I lost track of the regi
ment, which was working to the right. The field was fenced
with a stone wall, at least one was on the east and south sides;
also on the south side was a lane with stone-lined sides. It was
here that I came across Captaiu Howard, who was in the same
predicament as m.vself. Together we passed upon the west side
of the stone fence and halted. The rebel main line was or
seemed to be in this lane. About this time we thought our lines
were flanking the rebs out of the lane. As we came up to it
we found a great number of the enemy, who gave up as pris-
oners. We took their guns and told them to keep quiet till the
skirmish line came up, and they would be taken care of.
"Then the captain and I, being nearly alone, bore off to the
left over uneven ground towards the pike. We passed down
quite an incline to a valley, which had a rail-fence across it
running parallel with the pike. I should say the pike was
thirty rods away from us square to the front. On the pike was
a rebel battery, which I think was using one gun, firing directly
at us, and had killed and wounded some of our men. Captain
Howard said it was of no use for us to charge that battery
alone, and as there were other men approaching, he said
we had better wait till they came up, so we sat down behind
the said fence. He sat down flat with his feet towards me. I
was on my knees loading my gun when at my right I saw a
letter torn into bits. I picked it up, and asked him to read it
while we were waiting, but he replied that he would put it in
his pocket and read it when he had more time. As he was in
the act of putting the letter in his pocket, a shot from the bat-
tery on the pike took off his head. He simply fell back, straight-
ened out, and that was all. I took from his body whatever of
value there was and later gave the same to Major Snyder. The
shot which killed the ca{)tain was next to the last that the
battery fired, for our men swept it iu a few moments later."
S. Augustus Howe. — The captain is one of the few men who
came from Massachusetts and served in New York regiments,
and then went back to stay with the friends of his boyhood. He
was born in Gardner July 2d, 1839, and attended the local
schools.
He was a good private soldier and officer, being mustered out
as a 2d lieutenant in the 24th New York Infantry, and then,
424 NINTH NEW YORK HEAVY ARTILLERY.
when his service there was over, he helped raise Company L of
the Ninth, and it is in this service we are chiefly interested.
His hoys always speak in the highest terms of him.
After the muster-out, coming back to the Bay State, he has
had numerous indications of local appreciation, holding many
town offices, and in 1891 and 1892 he was a member of the Leg-
islature. For several years he has been a special county com-
missioner. He is a member of the firm of Howe Bros., flour and
grain dealers.
The following lines from one of his "boys" indicate pretty
well how they regarded him :
"Yon would always know 'Howe,'
You could always tell
His sharp, quick voice as he calls to L,
'Fire low there, men!
Don't give it away;
Now give them a volley; there, that was well.' "
—Charles A. Ford, Homer, N. Y.
Ralph Hunt. — Hunt was a student and teacher before enlist-
ment, and he returned to go through Genesee College, to teach
several years and then to study law. His home is in South
Evanston, Ills.
Edwin L. Huntington. — Company L had many Oswego county
men, and among them one who had done good service in the
24th, and late in 1863 was ready to go in again. His friendship
for S. A. Howe, a regimental friend who had cast in his lot in
the Company L venture, may have been a motive. At any rate
Comrade H. made one of the very best soldiers possible, and
as 1st sergeant was transferred to the 2d Heavy, whence he
was finally mustered out a 2d lieutenant.
An active business man in the town of Mexico, Oswego
county, he has beeu an efficient supervisor of the same.
James H. Hyde. — The second captain of Company A has en-
joyed the privilege of living among his old soldiers ever since
the war. One of the most active in securing enlistments for the
company, he lives to-day to enjoy the memories of duty done
at a critical moment in the nation's life. He was born in Huron,
the only son of Harlow, who was himself the son of Dr. Zenas
Hyde. The latter was one of the very first settlers in the old
town of Wolcott, having moved there from Massachusetts in
1807. He was also the first physician in these parts.
PERSONAL SKETCHES. 425
When the town of Wolcott was divided in 1826, the residence
of the doctor fell within the borders of the new town of Huron,
and here the remainder of his life was spent, though his prac-
tice extended over all of northern Wayne. Harlow Hyde, son
of Dr. Zenas and the father of Captain James, during a long
life held responsible and honorable positions in both Huron and
Wolcott, dying May 30, 1895, in his ninety-third year.
James H. Hyde was born in Huron about seventy years since,
and there he had the beginning of his education, and the war
found him a tiller of the soil. Entering heartily into the forma-
tion of the new regiment, he was rewarded with the 1st lieuten-
ancy, and with the company he bravely marched away. He
was ever a quick, decided oflScer, and one who wore well with
his men. An accident in childhood deprived him of the sight
of an eye, but no soldier in Company A could ever see that this
in any way conflicted with the faithful performance of his
duties, and at the Battle of Cold Harbor he was one of those
who found a gun a good weapon for use. He was one of the
first to enter the enemies' works and to capture several of the
rebels.
When the extension of the regiment to heavy artillery sent
Captain J. W. Snyder to a majority, our Lieutenant Hyde be-
came captain, and thus he went with his company through all
its service up to and including Cedar Creek, where he was
wounded in the arm. Late in 1864 he resigned and came home
to resume the arts of peace. Since the war his home has been
in Wolcott, and here his children were reared.
For several years he was an attache of the Legislature in
Albany, latterly he has been the court-crier in Lyons. He is
a devoted member of the G. A. R., and is always found at the
Wayne county reunions. The war is a great many years behind
him, but he has the consolation of thinking that when the strife
was waging he had an honorable part in it.
Vincent A. Kenyon. — The last adjutant of the Ninth is a
Cayuga county dweller, and makes Dresserville his home, being
engaged in the tannery business. His father was a Quaker,
but the son was just as good a fighter for all that, possibly a
little better.
The veteran association has no more loyal nor enthusiastic
member. He is a store-house of information concerning the reg-
iment, and had his efforts availed, the locked-up treasures in
426 NINTH NEW YORK HEAVY ARTILLERY.
Washington, in the way of records, had been opened for our
use.
James D. Knapp. — Now living in Cato, was born in Wolcott,
N. Y., but when a child moved with his parents to Huron, and
thence to Rose. Had the advantages of the common schools,
and later learned the blacksmith's trade and worked with his
father till August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company H.
In time, attention to duty secured for him promotion to a
sergeantcy, and then he became 1st sergeant, and next received
a 2d lieutenant's commission for meritorious conduct at Cold
Harbor.
After the war he settled in Cato, and as his health would not
permit the resumption of his trade, he has been a farmer during
the intervening years. A Republican in politics, he has been
constable, tax-collector and justice of the peace several terms.
Henry P. Knowles. — The exceedingly eflBcient quartermaster
of the Ninth was born in Butler May 2S». 182S. In 1840 he re-
moved to Lyons, and was living there when the regiment was
raised. He had been town clerk, and was a member of the vil-
lage board when he enlisted.
His successful discharge of duties in the Ninth resulted in
his promotion to be commissary of subsistence of volunteers.
He was mustered out as brevet major for meritorious services.
His later services were on the staff of General Seward.
Oct. 1st, 1865, he took up his abode in Palmyra. For two
years, 1872-'73, he was supervisor, and in 1892 was president of
the village.
Since 1866 Major Knowles has conducted a banking business
under the name of H. P. Knowles & Co.
Sullivan B. Lamoreaux. — "Colonel" Lamoreaux having gone
to the West soon after the war has, in person, been somewhat
out of the range of the Ninth veterans, but in spirit he is just
as enthusiastic as ever. He was born in Rose, N. Y., Feb. 22d.
1842, son of Joel and Elizabeth Lamoreaux. The name surely
suggests French origin. During the boyhood of the future
major, the family removed to Throopsville, and theuce he en-
listed in Company F. His military record appears in that of his
comi)niiy and with the field and staff.
Very flattering things are said of Colonel L. by the men who
served with him, and they are the best calculated to judge of
an officer's merits and demerits. This is what a Company F
i
PERSONAL SKETCHES. 427
man writes: "It seems to me that I can see him as I write;
just as he lool
burg. I always kept my eve on him in battle. If I could only
see Captain Lamoreaux I was happy." Any man of whom a
follower would write the forejioing more than thirty years after
the scenes named, must have had the right stuff in him.
Colonel Lamoreaux has lived for a number of years in Cleve-
land, O.. and latterly his business card appears in connection
with that of M. A. Hanna, and surely every survivor hopes that
such proximity means unlimited prosperity to their old-time
comrade, for they remember that the American Warwick has
the reputation of having made William McKinley president.
Charles D. Lent. — Beginning his service in Company B as
sergeant, he came home as 1st lieutenant, in command of H
company. He was born in Sodus, 18:J2, of New Jersey extrac-
tion, and for the most part has resided in the town ever since.
He has been farmer, station-agent, produce-dealer, and lastly
the landlord of a temperance hotel in Wallington. He has been
deputy sheriff, commander of Dwight Post, and a useful mem-
ber, generally, of the community.
Almanzo W. Litchard. — He is a native of Sparta, Livingston
county. Nov. 12, 1841, though his boyhood was spent in Alle-
gany county. Sept. 28, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, 86th
New York Infantry. He did his duty under McClellan and
Pope, and on account of illness was discharged Jan. 18, 1863.
Again he enrolled himself, this time Sept. 1, 1864, and joined
the regiment. Company E, at Winchester, on the 23d day of that
month. He was with the regiment all the time till we reached
Danville, when he was taken ill, which resulted in his discharge
June 20, 1865, a little in advance of that of the most of his
fellows.
Comrade Litchard is a farmer in Rushford, Allegany county,
and in 1S97 was elected to the Assembly, and the compliment
was repeated in 1898 by the largest majority ever given a candi-
date in that district.
Alpheus K. Long. — This veteran was one of those who grew