Deerpark Diary Town of Deerpark 1863 School House Museum Town of Deerpark Historian, P.O. Box 621, Huguenot, New York 12746 (845) 856-2702 website—1863schoolhouse.org

September 2012 Vol.9 No. 3 Features

• Orange Blossoms

• Company F Casualties

• Civil War Reenactment

• A New Bridge

• Deerpark Museum Programs

The Orange Blossoms Hospital Facility at Chancellorsville, Virginia The summer of 2012 marks served for several weeks. From there cross-roads, Maryland, and then on the 150th anniversary of the recruit- they joined the Army of the Potomac into Virginia for additional battles at ment of Orange County volunteers at Harper’s Ferry, were attached to Wapping Heights, Wilderness, Spot- into the 124th New York Regiment, the 1st brigade, 3d corps, in Novem- sylvania Court House, and the As- nicknamed the Orange Blossoms. ber 1862, joined Burnside’s army sault of Petersburg. It then entered in During the summer of 1862, on its way to Fredericksburg and the Appomattox campaign, being en- President Abraham Lincoln called arrived at Falmouth on November gaged at White Oak Ridge, Deatons- for 300,000 three-year volunteers to 24th. The corps was lightly engaged ville Road, Farmville and Appomat- fight for the Union cause. Since re- at Fredericksburg with small losses, tox Station, where Lee surrendered cruitment was based on state popula- however it was heavily engaged in to Grant, April 9, 1865. tion, New York was required to re- the Battle of Chancellorsville, losing The regiment was honorably cruit 60 infantry regiments (60,000 28 killed, 161 wounded and 15 miss- discharged and mustered out under men). Orange County recruited a ing—a total of 204. Just prior to this Col. Charles H. Weygant, June 3, full regiment. On September 5, 1862, battle, Ellis looped a piece of orange 1865, near Washington, D. C. The the 124th New York Volunteers, nine ribbon through a buttonhole of each total enrollment during service was companies—A through I, mustered soldier’s uniform as a reminder of 1,320. While in service the regiment in under A. Van Horne Ellis, Orange County and to help identify lost 244 men: killed in action, 9 offi- Lt. Colonel Francis M. Cummins and the injured or dead; hence the name cers, 93 enlisted men; of wounds re- Major James Cromwell at Goshen. Orange Blossoms. After Chancel- ceived in action, 2 officers, 45 enlist- Men from Deerpark and Port Jervis lorsville the 124th fought at Get- ed men; of disease and other causes were assigned to Company F. The tysburg where both Col. Ellis and 1 officer, 94 enlisted men; in Confed- Daughters of Orange presented three Major Cromwell were killed. During erate prisons, 11 enlisted men. battle flags to the regiment. The the pursuit of Lee after the battle, A beautiful monument has 124th, 930 strong, carried the flags the regiment was engaged at Jones’ been erected at Gettysburg sur- from Goshen to Virginia where they mounted by a life size marble statue severely—died in hospital wielding swords and rifles, be- of their heroic Colonel Ellis. The in- on May 26th ing wounded and dying. A nurse scription reads, “The Orange Blos- George W. Adams, slightly in 19th century dress was seen soms went into action on this spot Isaac Gillison, in hand, slightly giving aid to a fallen soldier. with 18 officers and 220 men. Lost in Job Sneed, in hand, slightly killed and wounded 7 officers and 85 Reuben Doty, in hand, slightly The Union Gazette men.” Additional monuments honor- Jacob Garrison, slightly Port Jervis, NY ing the Orange Blossoms are located J. F. Fisher, gone to Philadelphia Tuesday, September 7, 1976 in Goshen and Warwick. Hospital Source of information: New Missing Yank, Reb rematch York State Military Museum. Peter A. Hanaka, died in hospital draws 5,000—no blood on May 23rd Andrew J. McCarty By Bob Couture, Staff Reporter A bit of Civil War histo- July 1-3, 1863 ry was brought to the area Sun- day as members of the Sons of Killed Veterans Reserves reenacted the Sgt. John B. Drake famous , Corporal Orlando U. Knapp Va. on a stubbled field here. Regiment Battle Flag Private Amsey W. Quick The outcome of the bat- Company F Casualties Wounded tle was the same as on Oct. 19, Corporal James H. Taylor, in foot 1864—the Union Army was vic- Corporal James Conner, in head torious. But this time more than Battle of Chancellorsville, Private George Garrett, in face 5,000 spectators were on hand Virginia Private F. S. Goble, in knee to cheer more than 1,500 men in May 2-3, 1863 Private William Van Sickle, in blue and gray as they clashed on hand the battlefield. The following is a list of ca- Private George Landon, in arm At the beginning, an an- sualties from Company F (Deerpark/ Private Ira Gordon, left arm nouncer recounted the life of the Port Jervis) as listed in the Whig amputated battle as history books tell it. Press and Newburgh Daily Journal. Missing The lines of men in gray; lines Private Isaac Gibson of men in blue. Killed The battle began with William V. C Carmor Civil War Reenactment the resounding boom of can- Thomas H. Jeffrey non fire as the Confederates James Cunningham at Huguenot launched a barrage upon the Ira Wilcox, wounded— Union troops. The earth shook since dead The Lions Club of Port Jer- from the gunfire and the crowd Clement B. Anderson vis & Matamoras/Westfall spent a was transported back in time. Wounded year planning a week-long 7th Na- Each group of soldiers Lieutenant Thomas J. Quick, tional Encampment of the Sons of gathered around their flag, look- under the eye, slightly Veterans Reserves which took place ing to it with pride. Then the at- Corporal Charles Peters, in arm, on the grounds behind the Hotel Park tacks began across the broad severely Lane, Route 209, Huguenot. The re- lines... Job M. Sneed, in hand, slightly enactment on Sunday, September 5, Then the battle was Henry R. Bodhead, in cheek, 1976 was the climax of the week’s over. The North won, because slightly events. that’s the way it happened de- Bernard F. Kenn, in thigh, In the centerfold of the news- cades ago in Virginia. The spec- shot wound paper were pictures of the “battle”. tators cheered, but there was an Charles P. Kirk, contusion, Men in both Union and Confeder- odd silence on the battlefield. caused by shell ate uniforms were riding horseback, Forming back into com- Sgt. Alfred Bartley, in abdomen, shouting orders, shooting cannons, pany units, they marched past the spectators. by local land owners who charged a It was real, yet it was make- toll. The rope ferry was guided and believe. in many cases propelled across the river by ropes connected to both shores. Tolls were collected by the ferry operator. During the early 1800s com- panies were incorporated to raise

Teamster:Local 445 picketing In the heat of ‘Battle of Cedar Creek’ the bridge project because union mem- Sunday in Huguenot, Yankee and Rebel officers bers are not on the job. Union Gazette clash with sword and gun. photo, March 12,1975. Photo by Chris Farlekas, At present, for safety rea- Times Herald Record 9-7-1976 sons, the existing bridge can only carry one-lane traffic while the new Rope Ferry crossing bridge is being built. A New Bridge the Neversink River The new bridge down river from the existing bridge will provide In a few months there will money to build toll bridges. These better visibility for drivers. There will be a new Neversink River bridge in incorporations were usually given be a slight bend in Route 209 as it ap- Cuddebackville. The current bridge, for a period of years, often 25-30 proaches the bridge. The Hoag Road built in 1928, was inspected March years. At some later date, most of entrance will be located further north 21, 2008 and found to be in need these bridges were taken over by a making room for a gravel parking lot of replacement. In May 2012, the town, city or the state and became next to the river. The Prospect Hill State Department of Transportation free-use bridges. entrance will be extended to meet awarded an $8.9 million contract to A wooden suspension bridge Route 209. A copy of the construc- Bette & Cring, Latham, NY, to build was built around 1850. This type of tion site is on the back page of this the new bridge. bridge served horses and wagons newsletter. Additional information is There have been many means well, but in time increased traffic available in the Town Clerk’s Office of crossing the Neversink River at proved that a more substantial bridge at Town Hall, Route 209, Huguenot. this point during the history of this was needed. (See December 2008 Deer- park Diary for picture of the bridge) valley. Deerpark Museum Transportation between the In July 1902, the Deerpark Delaware and Hudson Rivers began Town Board and the Commissioners Programs with a trail created by the Native of Highways awarded a contract to Americans. In the early 17th centu- the Owego Bridge Company to build Open House ry the Dutch expanded the route to a new bridge at a cost of $6,500.00. Sunday, September 30, 2012 accommodate wagons transporting The Deerpark Museum, 25 copper from the Paaquarry mines in Grange Rd, Huguenot, will have an New Jersey along the Old Mine Road. Open House on September 30, 2012 The route followed the Delaware from 3:00 to 5:00. There will be mu- River north to Minisink (Port Jervis) sic, old-time craft displays, games and then east to Esopus (Kingston). for the children, and art work.. Route 209 is the oldest road over Local History Program 100 miles long in America. Sunday, October 14, 2012 1902 Neversink River Steel Bridge, Gary Keaton will present a There are a number of river Cuddebackville crossings on this route. Prior to build- program about “Basha Kill and the ing bridges, oxen, horses, carts and With an even greater in- Lenape Queen Basha” on October passengers crossed at shallow places crease in traffic, the current bridge 14, 2012 at 3:00. Learn about one of called fords or were ferried across was built in 1928. It was resurfaced our natural treasures. using a rope and pulley system. The in 1975 with considerable controver- Both events are free. Re- earliest ferries were privately owned sy because of labor disputes. freshments will be served.