Albany County, New York
in the Civil War

The following is taken from Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Military Statistics of the State of New York, Albany: [The Bureau], (C. Wendell), 1866.

The news of the first hostile demonstration made by the so-called Southern Confederacy, created a profound sensation in the city and county of Albany. Partizan zeal was forgotten, and the people unanimously resolved, upon a vigorous support of the Government. Both Houses of the Legislature, as they adjourned, joined in the popular demonstrations of enthusiasm. In Senate and Assembly, the scenes were very extraordinary and exciting. American flags were displayed, patriotic songs were sung, a military band gave forth inspiring music. In the House, Governor Morgan delivered a stirring address, and the eloquent utterances of members prolonged the scene, amid the cheers of people and representatives. Throughout the city, expression of fervent devotion to the Government and the Union, assumed every phase that enthusiasm could suggest, and the excitement became intense, and martial music resounded everywhere.
Unfurling the National standard being accepted as a significant evidence of patriotism, it floated from all public buildings, armories, hotels and vessels in harbor, and at length the roofs and windows of stores, schools and private dwellings, and even the steeples of churches bristled with flag staffs, and the breeze of each successive day dallied with a hundred new banners.
After the first burst of enthusiasm, the work of practical patriotism began.
Through all its early annals the city had been the grand arsenal and entrepot of war. In the military history of the State, there had always clustered around Albany a peculiar interest. Here were mustered the battalions of Amherst and Abercrombie, and the elements of formidable armies, whose exploits are the schoolboy's' story, and Greenbush and Bath were the ancient seats of barracks and stockades, and the depositories of arms and men.
The martial ardor animating the American people, never faltered here for want of scope and encouragement, and the call of country and duty have ever met with a prompt and chivalrous response. The bravery of native and adopted Albanians, is identified with American glory. Few battlefields that their blood has not baptized ; few that their bones have not whitened. Niagara and Lundy's Lane, Queenstown Heights and Sackett's Harbor, attest their valor. From the days of the old Dutch church, whose threshold is yet visible in State street, to the present era of general advancement, the whole local part of this quaint old town teems with exciting incidents, and is uniformly graced and adorned by sterling patriotism.
Animated by such a past, the people sturdily and thoughtfully prepared for the business of war. Recruiting offices were forthwith opened in advantageous localities by William G. Weed, Capt. Michael Cassidy, John McDuffie, John Lawless, J. O. Moore, Thos. W. Stevens, Major Chas. Townsend, E. K. Pruyn, J. H. Ten Eyck, jr., Captain H. S. Hurlbut, J. H. Chase, J. W. Bhanchard, M. H. Donovan, W. R. Seymour, and others, and volunteers were rapidly enlisted. Throughout the city the formation of companies was so rapid, that the requisite authorizations could not be prepared with adequate speed; the Adjutant-General's office being thronged with military from all parts of the State. The roll of drums and strains of martial music, gave a war-like appearance to the entire town. The alacrity of naturalized citizens and foreign residents to enlist, was here as everywhere else, noticeable. The Twenty-fifth regiment, largely composed of adopted citizens, unanimously tendered their servics. One company of this regiment, the artillery, had taken part in the wars of 1812 and 1847. Another com-pany, the Emmet Guards, was the first in the whole State, to volunteer at the breaking out of the Mexican war.
The honor of being in advance of Albanian volunteers this time, however, belongs to Captain John Lawless' company of new men, which between 8 and 9 on the evening of April 15, proceeded by a martial corps and accompanied by an immense concourse, marched to the Capitol and offered themselves in behalf of the Union-- though Captain William G. Weed claims to have received the first volunteer commission in the State.
The Burgesses corps, an independent organization, prepared to join the Twenty-fifth, and were ultimately represented at Wash-ington by a \splendidly equipped body of stalwart men, with an outfit costing $7,000, subscribed by the members of the corps, without a dollar's expense to either State or National Governments.
The common council entertained a recommendation that $30,000 be appropriated for the families of volunteers, and an instalment of $5,000 was forthwith set apart for this object. They also tendered the Industrial School building, a large and commodious edifice, with ample grounds attached, for the purpose of lodging the troops gathering at this depot. The east wing of the Albany Hospital, with its dispensary, was devoted by its directors to the use of the State medical department. Numerous banks and corporations passed resolutions maintaining the salaries of their officials while in service. A body of influential citizens assumed the duty of raising additional funds for families of soldiers. Large contributions of provisions and clothing for the immediate necessities of recently enlisted men flowed in from all quarters of the city. The medical men, with prompt unanimity, placed themselves at the disposal of, the State authorities. The clergy likewise tendered their services, besides making their potent influence felt in the encouragement of enlistments. The Sisters of Charity signified their desire to attend the hospital and their valuable aid was will-ingly accepted. The artists met and resolved to contribute paintings and sculpture for the volunteer fund. The project originating with Mr. E. D. Palmer, the distinguished sculptor, was promptly acted upon in New York city, and over $4,000 realized. For that sale but three pictures were expressly prepared. At Albany every offering was so prepared. The amount realized was $1,000.
The ladies of the city, with a spontaneous impulse, originated a relief association, which from first to last, has merited the gratitude of soldier and historian. During the first period of excite-ment and unforeseen necessity, their influence and labors dispensed to camp and barracks and hospital a myriad of comforts and bless-ings. Not a regiment, company or detachment quartered here but recognized and rejoiced in the hereditary and proverbial hospitality of old Albany and its inestimable women.
In addition to the general relief associations, numerous private contributions to divers patriotic objects were solicited. Each ward and district had its special subscription list, and pistols, swords, clothes, horses and camp equipage drew constantly upon the sympathies and purses of the community. On the 22d of July $18,350, it was officially reported, had been expended from the public sources, but an exhibition of the private munificence continually displayed would have greatly magnified, perhaps trebled the amount.

Civil War Newspapers
This is also available in PDF format. These are large files; however, they are exact images of the pages.
      Pages 1 - 10
      Pages 11 - 20
      Pages 21 - 30
      Pages 31 - 34

The following tables are taken from Fourth Annual Report of the Bureau of Military Statistics of the State of New York, Albany: Week, Parsons & Co., 1867.
Thank you to Paul Stambach for transcribing this information.

Index to Newspaper Articles from Albany County periodicals.
Indexed by David Moore.

A PDF version for better printing is here. (18 pages)

An Excel spreadsheet with this data is here.

See also The Communites of New York in the Civil War

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