Columbia 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 people of Columbia county, not withstanding the threats of southern men had been thundering in all northern ears for so long a period, were yet taken by surprise with the news of the bombardment of Fort Sumter.
On Sunday, the 14th of April, the news passed on from mouth to mouth that the fort had fallen, that the old flag was dishonored by traitorous hands, and that exultant rebels had driven a handful of its brave defenders from their trust.
Next morning came the proclamation of President Lincoln, formally announcing the disaster and the remedy which he proposed to apply. The effect of this was magical. The feuds of generations were forgotten, and men previously separated by the widest antagonisms, stood shoulder to shoulder like brethren in defense of their country.
A meeting to respond to the President's proclamation was held at the Court House, in Hudson, but the thronging masses could not find accommodation within its walls, and an adjournment was made to the City Hall, which was at once packed to its utmost capacity.
Spirit-stirring addresses were made by the leading men of the county of all shades of political feeling. The late Lieutenant Van Ness Phillip, who had formerly been in the U. S. Navy, but who had retired to enjoy the sweets of domestic life, came forward to utter words of patriotism, which thrilled the hearts of the citizens like a trumpet, and ended with the announcement that an offer of his personal services was already on its way to the Navy Department.
Col. Cowles, who subsequently died so gallantly at Port Hud-son, introduced a series of resolutions, which were adopted by the meeting with the loudest plaudits; in which they pledged themselves, without distinction of party, to expend their blood and treasure, without stint or measure, to the support of the government. The meeting concluded with the enrollment of the names of all present, who were ready to enlist as soon as the necessary papers could be received from the Governor, and a large sum was raised upon the spot for the benefit of the families of those who should volunteer in the service of their Country.
At an adjourned meeting, the fund for the benefit of the families of volunteers, was largely increased. New names were enrolledfor field service, and the cheering intelligence was communicated that a company had been raised in Chatham.
During the ensuing week, and before the month of April was closed, meetings of the most enthusiastic character were held in nearly every town in the county. New Lebanon, raised $5,000, for the families of volunteers. Kinderhook and Valatie raised a full company under the command of Capt. Bartholomew Vosburgh. Hudson enrolled a rifle company under the command of Capt. Wm. H. Seymour and Lieuts. L. W. Bradley and I. M. Butler.
On the 1st of May, a county meeting consisting of delegates from every town was held, to promote the enlistment of a complete regiment for the county.
On the 7th of May, the Hudson company of Captain Seymour, which was afterwards incorporated in the Fourteenth regiment, Colonel McQuade, as company K, paraded, preparatory to joining their regiment in the barracks at Albany, in front of the Reformed Dutch Church, to aid in the work of raising the flag upon the steeple. A large meeting was extemporised in the open air. Prayer was offered by the Rev. W. S. Leavitt, after which Rev. Dr. Demarest and Captain Seymour raised the Stars and Stripes to the top of the steeple, amid rapturous cheers by the volunteers and the multitude who had assembled to bid them a solemn yet joyful farewell. Patriotic addresses were delivered by Hons. Theodore Miller, Henry Hogehoom, J. S. Gould, and Rev. D. Demarest. Mr. Gould had just returned from the borders of Maryland, where he had seen the exodus of loyal men and women, driven from their homes by their ruthless rebel neighbors. His account produced a thrilling effect upon the audience, and brought home the actual guilt and barbarous spirit of the rebellion with a strength and clearness they had never felt before. The company then closed its ranks, and accompanied by loving friends and neighbors to the depot, left on the cars for Albany.
The committee appointed by the county meeting, held on the 1st day of May, busily employed themselves in raising a regiment, in which they were very successful, but they were soon after informed by the Adjutant General, that the quota of the State was full, and that no more men would be received.
The ladies in most of the towns, organized themselves into associations, for providing comforts for the soldiers in the field, and worked not only in those early days, but through the whole war, with untiring assiduity, in providing food and clothing and luxuries for the hospitals.

Civil War Newspapers
This is also available in PDF format. These are large files; however, they are exact images of the pages.
      Pages 1 - 7
      Pages 8 - 9

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.

See also The Communites of New York in the Civil War

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