Saturday, October 17, 2015

Robert T. Barton.

Robert Thomas Barton.

Birth: Nov. 24, 1842, Winchester, Winchester City, Virginia.
Death: Jan. 17, 1917, Winchester, Winchester City, Virginia.

push to enlarge.
Attorney and legal scholar.

Parents: David Walker Barton (1800 - 1863), Frances Lucy Jones Barton (1808 - 1890).

Wife: Gertrude W Baker Barton (1871 - 1963).

Children: Robert T Barton (1891 - 1980), Gertrude Barton Field (1894 - 1988).

Siblings: Martha Walker Barton Sheild (1834 - 1890), Charles Marshall Barton (1835 - 1862), William Strother Barton (1838 - 1868), Robert Thomas Barton (1842 - 1917).

Burial: Mount Hebron Cemetery, Winchester, Winchester City, Virginia.

He was a Civil War Veteran.

First Virginia, cavalry , ( Rockbridge Cavalry ) Robert T. Barton, Enlisted Battery March 7, 1862.

Robert Barton of the Rockbridge Cavalry, was shot through the lungs in Early's Valley campaign, and left within the enemy's lines, where, nursed by his sister, his life hung in the balance for many days.

He was a Cannoneer under Stonewall Jackson, in north Virginia.

Jacob Colmer, West Virginia.

West Virginia fifth Infantry, Regimental History.
                                                                                                                                                                                           

LIEUTENANT JACOP. COLMER.


Jacob Colmer was born April i, 1842, at Duff's Mills, Franklin town ship, Allegheny county, Pa., his parents being natives of the state. His father, William Colmer. was born in Allegheny county. Pa., and his mother, Lavina Rosensteel, was born near Emsworth, in tlie same county, and both were descendants of the Pennsylvania Dutch. The son remained at home until he was 18 years ofageorking at farming and in the blacksmith shop with his father. On the Monday evening following the call of President Lincoln for 75,000 three months men,

Mr. Colmer placed his name as first on the roll of a company of volunteers being recruited by Thomas Gibson. Jr., at a place called Cross Roads, not far from Bakerstown, Allegheny county. After the company had been partly recruited, they went to Pittsburgh, but the quota from Pennsylvania was now filled, and the company was not accepted: but they still held their organization, and when the call came for three years men. they were again doomed to disappointment, so many troops being ahead of them.

They then decided to equip themselves as an independent company, and while preparations were being made to this end, word was received that they were wanted at Wheeling, Ya., to which place they went. Mr. Colmer was mustered into the service as sixth corporal, but on account of good conduct and attention to his duties, rose step by step until June 17. 1862, he was promoted first sergeant of the company, and held this position until September 29,, 1S62. when he was promoted to second lieutenant. On several occasions he acted as adjutant of the regiment, and had command of his company on the Salem Raid.

On April 27. 1864, he was promoted to first lieutenant, and detailed to the position of adjutant, but declined the position, as he had become so attached to the members of his company that he did not wish to be taken away from them. He served his full term of enlistment and was mustered out with the company. Lieut. Colmer received what education he had by careful attention to studies in the four months per year schooling then in vogue in country districts, and in the summer of 1860, took a course of bookkeeping in Duff's College, Pittsburgh.

He was married on December 22, 186S, to Miss Mary E. Scott, of Sharon, Mercer county, Pa., but a native of Allegheny county. The result of this marriage is a family of four bright children, the oldest, William H., now in his 21st year, Alice Scott 16, Lizzie Pell 14, and Charles Stevenson 4 years old. Since the war Lieut, Colmer has served in several responsible positions. For a long time he was clerk in the Pittsburgh pension office; for over 12 years bookkeeper for one large firm in Allegheny City, and is now agent for the Allegheny Insurance Company, of Pittsburgh.

He is now serving his 18th year as permanent secretary of Twin City Lodge, No. 241, 1. O. O. F. , also as trustee of the same lodge during the last 18 years. He also served as secretary of Allegheny Lodge 223. A. F. and A. M., for six years after the close of the war. He now resides at Avalon, Pa., on the P. F. W. & C. Railway, six miles down the Ohio river from Pittsburgh. Lieut. Colmer served his country well and faithfully. He was a brave and accomplished officer, respected as such by all the men of the regiment, and a gentleman held in the highest esteem by all his comrades. As a citizen there are none truer, and he is a worth}' and honored son of the country hehelped so ably to protect.


Thursday, October 15, 2015

Thomas Eugene Orton

Wisconsin Third Infantry, Regimental History.
 

Thomas Eugene Orton, the son of Thilo A. and Nancy Collins Orton, was born at the village of Eaton in Madison county, N. Y., on the 21st day of October, 1842. He enlisted as a private soldier in Company H, of the Third regiment of Wisconsin volunteer infantry, on the 22nd day of April, 1861, at Darlington, Wis., the family having removed to Wisconsin in the fall of 1850. At the time of his enlistment he was in his nineteenth year. He was a splendid specimen of young manhood, about 6 feet tall, round and compactly built, with a splendid constitution and well matured, and was, though young, capable of great endurance.

He joined the army immediately after the first rebel attack upon the flag and from motives of the purest patriotism. He was not impulsive, but was convinced that his country demanded the sacrifice of the life and blood of many of her sons; and he threw his young life, full of hope and promise, into the breach. His reading had been very extended, for his age, and he judged intelligently the causes which led to, and the magnitude of, the struggle impending; and like a hero, without faltering or hesitation, governed by a sense of duty, which he never questioned, went forth to meet his country's enemies, in the terrible ordeal of war.

He was a typical soldier, strong, supple, and enduring as steel; intelligent kni fearless. He knew his duty and had the courage to do it. He was very soon promoted to non-commissioned offices, the duties of which he discharged with great credit to himself. At the terribly disastrous battle of Cedar Mountain, Va., fought on the 9th of August, 1862, in which nearly one-third of the entire Federal forces engaged were killed, wounded or taken prisoners, and in which the losses of the Third were, 108, among them Lient. Col. Crane, who was killed in battle, Orton was badly wounded, receiving five bullet wounds. He was left upon the field, and fell into the hands of the rebels, the federal forces having retreated.

He was within the rebel lines two days. On Monday, the 11th of August, he was removed by a detachment of Union soldiers, under a flag of truce, to within the Federal lines, and thence to a hospital at Alexandria. His sufferings for these two days, wounded, helpless, unattended, in the hands of the enemy, can hardly be imagined. He never, however, referred to them except to acknowledge kindnesses extended to him by the enemy during the time

His recovery was slow, and it was not until the 28th of July, 1863, that he rejoined the regiment. In the meantime, in acknowledgement of his meritorious services, he was, on the 1st day of November, 1862, commissioned second Lieutenant; and, on the 20th day of April, 1863, first lieutenant; and, on the 3rd day of February, 1864, captain. On his return to the regiment he was assigned to duty in Company K, which company he commanded from the time he was commissioned captain until his death. In January, 1864, he was tendered a commission as first lieutenant in the invalid corps, then organized at Washington; but, true to his soldierly instincts, he declined it, preferring active duty in the field.

Thomas Eugene Orton Death.

On the 20th of July, 1864, near Atlanta, Ga., while sitting in his quarters, in the morning, with his portfolio in his hands, having just sealed and addressed a letter to his parents, a shell from the enemy's gun exploded only a few feet from him, inflicting injuries from which he died at 4 o'clock P. M. of the same day.

Capt. Thomas E. Orton was sitting in his tent, having finished a letter that he had written to his parents. A shell from one of the enemy's guns penetrated the barricade in front of his quarters, then exploded close to his body, mortally wounding him; and he died a few hours afterward on the same day.

Captain Orton was a young man of great promise. His purity of life, excellent deportment, soldierly qualities of courage and loyalty to duty made him an excellent and popular officer. He had won his way from the ranks by his own merit; and had he lived would have made an hoti orable and prominent mark in civil life. A nobler young spirit did not pass from earth in that great struggle.

Monday, October 12, 2015

Whip makers of Philadelphia Pennsylvania.

Here are the names of 38, whip makers of Philadelphia, there is no information on these names.  This list is to help you find a ancestor and learn where they were and the year and what they were doing at this time in history.
 
Whip makers of Philadelphia Pennsylvania, 1864.
 
Frederick Baldt.
 
Jacob Boyer
 
Thomas Brelsford.
 
William Brish.
 
John Bumm.
 
Robert Crowers.
 
James Cruthers.
 
Lewis Henry Davis.
 
Joseph Dawson.
 
Jacob Dingus Jr.
 
George Emery.
 
Charles Farmer.
 
George Fisher.
 
John Grant.
 
William Hiltner.
 
Henry Horr.
 
William Hughes.
 
Joseph James.
 
John Koockogey.
 
Paul Leehner.
 
William McTier.
 
James Martin.
 
William Mitchell.
 
William Montgomery.
 
Robert Newell.
 
John Opell.
 
John Ritterson.
 
Joseph Roberts.
 
Jacob Robson.
 
R. V. Sallada.
 
Anthony Sharp.
 
Frederick Steavens.
 
George Trinkle.
 
John Waddell.
 
Frederick Wetzel.
 
John E. Wetzell.
 
Joseph Wetzell.
 
Martin Wetzell.
 
 

Sunday, October 11, 2015

James B. Scully.

A TRIBUTE TO SERGT. JAMES B. SCULLY BY H. W. ALLEN AT A
REGIMENTAL REUNION HELD AT MONTPELIER, VT.
 
 
Sergeant Scully.
1902.
Push to enlarge.
James B. Scully was born in Burlington October 7th, 1842; he attended the public schools until the age of 14, when he began services as a clerk in a dry goods store.  Whem the war came he was ready to shoulder his musket in the defense of his country, enlisted with Capt. Lonergan in a militia company, known as the Emmet Guard, afterwards Company A of the 13th Regiment; was at the organization appointed Second Sergeant.

Early in 1863 was promoted to Orderly Sergeant and served with the company until he was mustered out at Brattleboro. He was a good soldier, prompt to obey orders, obliging and kind, yet a good disciplinarian, and he had the friendship and respect of every man in the company as far as I know. He was of untiring service to his comrades whether belonging to the 13th or to other organizations.

The prominence of Orderly Sergeant Scully in the movement made by the regiment on the third day of the battle at Gettysburg, prompted Mr. Benedict in his history, "Vermont in the Civil War," to allude to him as the pivotal man in the pivotal battle of the war, how well he performed his duty all through his service and in the trying times I can speak from personal knowledge. He has said many times that I was next in line when Pickett's charge was repulsed; I think, however, he was mistaken, if my memory serves me rightly. Corporal Patten was in the front rank, and I in the rear.

Sergeant Scully reenlisted in the 26th New York Cavalrs' known as the Frontier Cavalry, was promoted to Sergeant May 13th, and mustered out June 27th, 1865. Afterwards served three years as second lieutenant in the Burlington company of the First Regiment, Vermont Militia, retiring in 1871.

He was an active member of Standard Post, G. A. R.; filled the several offices of Adjutant, Junior Vice Commander, Senior Vice Commander and Post Commander with credit; was Assistant Adjutant General, Department of Vermont, 1885, always a most useful and hard working member of the Post. The confidence of his fellow citizens was shown by his appointment as Notary Public, election as Justice of the Peace and election April 30th, 1896, as a delegate to the National Republican Convention; he was appointed Aide de Camp to General Horace Porter. Grand Marshal of the Parade at Washington, at the Inauguration of President McKinley in 1897.

He was a life long Republican, an earnest and indefatigable worker, not for his own benefit, but for the principles and interests of that party.

He was the most genial and affable of men; his friends were legion and his word was as good as a bond; he was a good soldier, a good citizen, a good husband, a good father and a loyal friend, he is missed in the community in which he lived.

He was Instrumental in issuing the call for the first reunion of the regiment in 1888 at Underbill. The signers of the call were W. D. Munson, L. F. Terrill, John H. Lyon, T. F. Whipple, H. W. Allen, J. B. Ellis. A. D. White and J. B. Scully. He was elected first Secretary, later was elected President of the Association, his interest in behalf and for the benefit of the comrades was unceasing.

Editor Whitney, of The Northfield News had this to say of him: "The sudden death in Washington of James B. Scully, of Burlington, comes as a shock to his wide circle of friends in Vermont.

"Mr. Scully was a self-made man, serving first as a clerk, and afterwards conducting a leading dry goods business in Burlington. He was a veteran with a highly honorable record and tor years had been an Influential Republican in his city and county. During the past few years he had been a door-keeper in the House of Representatives in Washington, a position he admirably filled. A rare characteristic of Mr. Scully was his loyalty to his friends and associates and his cordial outspoken honesty. Many have lost a true friend in the death of this worthy upright citizen."

We miss him at the reunions. We miss his cordial hearty greetings and as the years roll by he will not be forgotten by those of us who are left behind.