189th Regiment of the Civil War Co B
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
Company B was raised from the towns of Bolivar, Wirt, Clarksville, Friendship, New Hudson, Canandea and Alma, Allegany County. William H. Withey, Esq., of Richburgh, by his reputation as a soldier, and his ability and influence as a man and citizen, was the one to whom his fellow citizens naturally looked when their town quotas were to be raised. By their request he undertook organizing a company. Receiving authority from Governor Seymour on the twenty-sixth of August for that purpose, assisted by his brother, Sergeant Fayette Withey, of the 185th NY Veteran Volunteers, and E.R. Kilbury, Esq., of Boliver, he had one hundred and three men enlisted by the sixteenth day of September. They were mustered as a company organization on the twenty-first. The next day they elected by a unanimous vote, William H. Withey, Captain; Fayette Withey, First Lieutenant; and E.R. Kilbury, Second Lieutenant. These officers cooperated at Elmira with those of other companies circumstanced similarly with themselves, to secure a new regimental organization for their companies to enter, and the One Hundred and Eighty Ninth was the result.
Captain Fayette Withey was born in Friendship NY, February 10, 1833. When he was nine years old, his parents removed to Boliver, NY., where they resided until the death of his mother. He received a good common school education. At the age of eighteen, he commenced work by the month in the lumbering business. This and mechanical business engaged his time till the breaking out of the rebellion. In August 1861, he enlisted as a private soldier for three years, and soon was appointed Sergeant in Company A, Eighty-fifth NY Volunteers, then about to start for the field. His regiment was under General Casey through General McClellan's Campaign before Richmond; and, besides several skirmishes, participated in the battles of Fair Oaks, and Malvern Hill. In December, 1862, he went with his regiment to North Carolina, and fought in the battles at Kinston, Whitehall, and Goldsboro, and at the siege of Washington, N.C. Re-enlisted at Plymouth, N.C., January 1st, 1864, for another three years, he was at Roanoke Island during the seige of Plymouth, where all his regiment was captured by the rebels, excepting his company, April 20, 1864. While detailed at Plymouth to superintend the construction of fortifications, he won by his able and strict attention to his duties the esteem of both officers and men. He built Fort Foster and other extensive and important works on Roanoke Island, giving entire satisfaction to the commandant of the post. Obtaining a furlough home August 15th, 1864, he soon engaged with his brother, Major William H. Withey, and Lieutenant E.R. Kilbury, in raising Company B. He obtained an honorable discharge from his old command, and was assigned to the 189th NY as First Lieutenant of his company. On his brother, William H's promotion to the majority, he was made Captain. A better officer cannot easily be found.
First Lieutenant Edwin R. Kilbury was born September 2, 1826, in Fremont, Steuben County, NY. While dwelling with his parents till he was of age and helping them on the farm, he enjoyed the priviledge of a common school education. At the age of twenty-one he married Miss Hannah M. Gates of Fremont, and thereafter lumbered in Howard till February, 1854. At this date, moving into Allegany Co., he continued lumbering till 1859, when he was called as Justice of Sessions to move to Boliver, where he acted till the close of his term, and was re-elected Justice March 1863. Assisting in raising Company B, he was chosen Second Lieutenant. While the regiment was in camp before Petersburgh, near Warren Station, he was detailed November 19th, 1864, as Brigade Ambulance Officer. He was promoted First Lieutenant at the time of the election of Major Withey.
Second Lieutenant Lyman P. Hotchkiss was born October 24, 1841, at Homer, Cortland County, NY. He lived with his parents till his thirteenth year, then traveled West, "to see the world", till the fall of 1859, when he returned to the State of New York and worked with his brother on the farm. He had visited many of the important places in the "far West", and became satisfied to settle at more quiet and steady pursuits. But the pro-slavery war breaking out, fired his hart with patriotic ardor, and he enlisted in the 23rd Regiment NY Vols, in McDowell's Corps. He fought with his regiment in the battles of Rappahannock Station, Sulphur Spring, Groveton, Second Bull Run. At the last place he was disabled by a shell. He so far recovered as to rejoin his regiment at Belle Plain Landing, doing provost duty under General Patrick. Mustered out with his regiment at Elmira May 22, 1863, he went to Eau Claire County, WI., and worked by the month at lumbering the following year. Re-enlisting September 21, he was elected Orderly in Company B, and afterward promoted to the Lieutenancy, vice Lieutenant Kilbury. At the battle of Gravelly Run, on March 21, while forming picket-line with twenty seven of his company, he was struck in the ankle joint by a Minie ball. On his being carried to the hospital, a coucil of surgeons decided that amputation was necessary. The brave Lieutenant replied: "I would like to save my leg, if possible; but if not, let it come off." This was the only case of an officer's suffering an amputaion in the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth. A more courageous or better officer was not in the army. Although crippled for life, his marriage to Miss Almeda E. Smith, his former affianced, was celebrated on his return home. Be it always an honor in our county to wear the marks and maims of her wounded defenders!
Non-Commissioned Officers" and Privates Memorial---Co. B.
Corporals:
Privates:
Note: No attempt has been made to correct spelling of names--AC
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