189th Regiment of the Civil War Co A
Taken from the book by William H. Rogers of Wellsville, NY, 15 Aug 1865.
Re-typed by Annette Campbell
Part of the Steuben Co., NY GenWeb - Judy Allen Cwiklinski coordinator
This Company was principally raised in the town of Bath, Steuben County. It being well known that if volunteers were to be raised, Captain John Stocum wa the man to do it, his townsmen urged him to enter the field once more. When, Therefore, this popular and well tried officer erected his little tent in the park of Bath Village, volunteers flocked to him. the result is thus stated in one of the village newspapers; "Single-handed and alone, in nine days he had a full company raised, equipped, and mustered into the service. A beter one it would be hard to find, as the military record shows." At the election of its officers, the company unanimously chose for First Lieutenant, Benjamin N. Bennett; for Second Lieutenant, John W. Brown; whose cooperation and help had not been wanting in getting up the company.
Captain John Stocum was born in Pulteney, Steuben County, NY, April 27, 1825. Orphaned at an early age, he came to Bath, Steuben Co, NY, a poor, friendless boy. There by his industry, urbanity, and Christian integrity, he won a position amongst his fellow citizens. He was an exemplary member of the Presbyterian Church. He was married February, 1847, to Miss Elizabeth Metcalf, of Bath, who died in October, 1858. In June, 1860, he married again to Miss Susan B. Townsend, of Elmira. An upright businessman and merchant, he propered. Such was the confidence the young men had in him, that in 1861, when he announced that he was about to raise a battery, in two weeks his company was full. He was appointed Captain, and his command denominated Battery E, First New York Artillery, and was ordered to the front. After five months service, a number of the officers of the regiment, among them Captain Stocum, were ordered to report for examination, and very unwisely and unceremoniously dismissed the service, as the result showed. Soon after, Battery E was divided up and put in other batteries. Returning home in 1862, when there was another call for men, Captain Stocum commenced recruiting Company F, 161st Regiment, and was soon with his full command at Elmira. A severe epidemic breaking out among his troops, numbers died, and he was protrated with a fever three months. Meanwhile, his regiment having been ordered to the Department of the Gulf, when he had sufficiently recovered, he rejoined them rendezvoued at Baton Rouge in time to partake of the campaign against Port Hudson. Though still feeble in health, he continued in command through the battle of Plain's Store and during the memorable siege and surrender of the stronghold, Port Hudson. But the effect of that climate being so severe upon his somewhat broken constitution, the surgeon ordered him to the hospital, where he remained two months. The hope of recovery there being small, he resigned and returned home. On the 3rd day of September, 1864, he commenced raising his third and last comapny for the war, with which he served, often placed in higher commands, till the utter overthrowof the traitor's cause terminated the struggle. When he brought his company with the loss of only seven back, after it had been mustered out and paid, and marched it into the village square of Bath, to bid the brave boys farewell, then was to be seen how the noble, sympathizing, able officer was beloved by his men.
First Lieutenant B. N. Bennett was a young man and highly useful officer. Having lent his influence for the raising of Company A, he was chosen, without any dissent, as it's First Lieutenant. He was always present with his command, and did his duties cordially and well. On the March, in camp, or in battle, Lieutenant Bennett was ever on hand where duty called, reliable and true. He furnished no materials for his biographical sketch, but his deeds while a soldier are a sufficient praise and memorial.
Second Lieutenant John W. Brown was born June 12, 1833, at Wheeler, Steuben Co, NY. Living with his parents till he was twenty-one years of age, helping them upon the farm, he, as the oldest son, had but limited opportunity to aquire education. He was married in 1854, to Miss R. P. Haddon, adopted daughter of John J. Popins, Esq., of Pulteney, and pursued his farming occupation on his own farm till 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Co G, 107th NY. Some time previous to the close of his term of service, he was discharged on a surgeon's certificate of disability. On returning home, he entered the grocery business in Merchantsville (now a part of Thurston, NY), till he again enlisted on the twentieth of September, 1864, as Lieutenant, in Co A, with which he faithfully served till it was disbanded.
Non-commisioned officers Co A
Corporals Co A
Musicians Co A
Privates Co A
Samuel A. ALDEN, Gilbert ALDEN, William ALGER, John D. AKER (died in Division Hospital), Abel A. ANDREWS, Ira BENNETT, Charles H. BROWN, Byron BENNETT, Isaac BAKER, George BLAKESLEY, Patrick H. POWERS, Edgar H. BABCOCK, Daniel BURLEY, Daniel BROWNELL, James BAIN, G. F. CULVER, Henry D. CUMMINGS, William B. COX, Sidney CHURCH (died in hospital), William COOPER, Jefferson J. CHASE, Henry COVELL, William COVELL, Nathaniel DAWLEY, Jary F. EDDY, James FARLEY, Isaac H. FERRIS, George W. FERRIS (promoted to Corporal), Benjamin F. FERRIS (promoted to Corporal), John A. FILKINS, Daniel GRAY, Nelson C. HIGGINS, Warren HURLBURT, Joseph HAND, David HECOX, Henry HERRON, James HERRON, Robert HERRON, Barney J. HYRE, Martin V. HOUSE, James JACKSON, Jerome JENKINS, Frank KAISER (Promoted to Corporal), Charles P. KNAPP, Samuel LEWIS, Wilson LOGERY, Samuel LEWIS, Jr., Robert McBETH, Horace M. WEEKS, Fayette A. MATTESON, James McCUE, William MINNICH, Richard McDOWELL, Moses F. MEEKS, James McCHESNEY (died in hospital), E. J. PHILIPSON, Willis PRATT, D. PHILIPS, John QUIGLEY (died in hospital), Lewis P. RUSSELL, Isaac A. RISING, Nathaniel SEARLES, Norman STEWART, Charles E. STEWART, Henry F. TRAVIS, Henry L. TOWNSEND (promoted to Corporal) John TALBERT (died en route to front), Wesley TRAVIS, Jarvis TALBERT, John VanCAMPEN, Adolphus WELCH, Henry WILLIS, Squire WESSELS, Webster W. WAGGONER, Isaac WARRICK, John WATSON, William H. WINSHIP
Note: No effort has been made to correct spelling of surnames--AC
You are our [an error occurred while processing this directive] visitor to visit this page thanks for stopping by!
Last modified Thursday, 10-Feb-2000 14:38:19 MST
Judy Allen Cwiklinski Steuben Co., NY GenWeb coordinator 1999-2000 ©