Erie CountyErie County&&

The Civil WarThe Civil War

Lincoln in BuffaloLincoln in Buffalo

February 16, 1861February 16, 1861 On the way to his On the way to his

inaugurationinauguration Guest of ex- President Guest of ex- President

Millard FillmoreMillard Fillmore Speech given at the Speech given at the

American HotelAmerican Hotel ““They will vote for you if They will vote for you if

you let your beard grow.”you let your beard grow.”

Ft. Sumter is attackedFt. Sumter is attackedApril 12, 1861April 12, 1861

What was required to win the war?What was required to win the war?

MenMenMoneyMoneyMaterialMaterialMoraleMorale

Lincoln Calls for VolunteersLincoln Calls for Volunteers

Erie County’s Contribution in Erie County’s Contribution in manpowermanpower

@ 4,587 men from Niagara County@ 4,587 men from Niagara County @20,000 men from Erie County enlisted @20,000 men from Erie County enlisted

or were draftedor were drafted @ 4,704 were listed as killed, wounded @ 4,704 were listed as killed, wounded

or missing in actionor missing in action

First Erie County RegimentFirst Erie County Regiment

Organized at Organized at BuffaloBuffalo

2121stst New York New York Volunteer InfantryVolunteer Infantry

Colonel William F. Colonel William F. RogersRogers

Unit left Buffalo in Unit left Buffalo in May of 1861May of 1861

4949thth New York Infantry New York Infantry

Organized in July 1861chiefly Organized in July 1861chiefly men from Erie and men from Erie and Chautauqua CountiesChautauqua Counties

Left Buffalo in September 1861Left Buffalo in September 1861 Little heavy fighting until 1864Little heavy fighting until 1864 Brandy Station, the Brandy Station, the

Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and Cold Harbor, Cedar CreekCold Harbor, Cedar Creek

Commanded by Major Daniel Commanded by Major Daniel D. Bidwell – killed at Cedar D. Bidwell – killed at Cedar Creek – Oct. 19, 1864Creek – Oct. 19, 1864

Bidwell Parkway in Buffalo is Bidwell Parkway in Buffalo is named in his honornamed in his honor

Brigadier General Daniel D. Brigadier General Daniel D. BidwellBidwell

George W. JohnsonGeorge W. Johnson

Private Freeman MillerPrivate Freeman Miller

100100thth New New York InfantryYork Infantry

Recruiting began in Recruiting began in September 1861, September 1861, reached full strength in reached full strength in February 1862February 1862

Col. James Malcolm Col. James Malcolm Brown - commandingBrown - commanding

Scotsman by birthScotsman by birth Nearly all of its original Nearly all of its original

902 officers and men 902 officers and men were from Erie Countywere from Erie County

1st Lt. John W. Wilkeson, Jr.1st Lt. John W. Wilkeson, Jr.

Company KCompany K100th New York 100th New York InfantryInfantry

22ndnd Lt. Cyrus Lt. Cyrus BrownBrown

Company ECompany E

100100thth New York New York InfantryInfantry

4444thth New York Infantry New York Infantry“The Ellsworth Regiment”“The Ellsworth Regiment”

Elmer EllsworthAlexandria, Va. The Marshall House, King and Pitt Streets]

Notes on the 44Notes on the 44thth New New York InfantryYork Infantry

Notes on the 116Notes on the 116thth New New York InfantryYork Infantry

More Notes on the More Notes on the 116116thth NYV NYV

Notes on the 116Notes on the 116thth contd.contd.

Ethnic UnitsEthnic Units Popular thinking suggested that more men Popular thinking suggested that more men

would serve if they could serve with others would serve if they could serve with others of their own ethnicityof their own ethnicity

E.g. Battery “I” of the 1E.g. Battery “I” of the 1stst New York Artillery New York Artillery composed mostly of men of German birth or composed mostly of men of German birth or parentage – famed “Wiedrich’s Battery”parentage – famed “Wiedrich’s Battery”

Late stages of the Civil War 6 companies of Late stages of the Civil War 6 companies of men of German descent raised in Erie, men of German descent raised in Erie, Chautauqua, Niagara, Wyoming and Chautauqua, Niagara, Wyoming and Cattaraugus CountiesCattaraugus Counties

Erie County furnished two companies of men Erie County furnished two companies of men for each of two “Irish” regiments the 155for each of two “Irish” regiments the 155 thth and the 164and the 164thth New York State Volunteers New York State Volunteers

155155thth New York New York VolunteersVolunteers

Lt. Hugh C. Flood155th New York Infantry

Cpt. John W. McAnally155th New York InfantryCompany I

Notes on the 155Notes on the 155thth New New YorkYork

Notes on Col. Peter A. Notes on Col. Peter A. Porter’sPorter’s

88thth New York Heavy Artillery New York Heavy Artillery

Obituary of Col. Peter A. Obituary of Col. Peter A. PorterPorter

Lt. Col. Willard W. Bates

8th Heavy Artillery

1st Lt. Samuel K. GreenCompany A8th Heavy Artillery

Pvt. James P. ShortCompany M8th Heavy Artillery

Pvt. Edwin P. HoytCompany I

8th Heavy Artillery

Notes on the 8Notes on the 8thth NY NY Heavy ArtilleryHeavy Artillery

Erie County Medal of Honor Erie County Medal of Honor Winners in The Civil WarWinners in The Civil War

Andrew BringleAndrew BringleLewellyn P. NortonLewellyn P. Norton

Federal BountiesFederal Bounties

Early war enthusiasm generated Early war enthusiasm generated sufficient volunteerssufficient volunteers

By February 1862 the Federal Govt. By February 1862 the Federal Govt. offered $100 bounty payable at the end offered $100 bounty payable at the end of two years of serviceof two years of service

By 1864 the Federal Govt. offered new By 1864 the Federal Govt. offered new recruits $300 with an additional $100 recruits $300 with an additional $100 payable to volunteers who re-enlistedpayable to volunteers who re-enlisted..

State BountiesState Bounties

State and local governments also paid State and local governments also paid bounties in addition to the federal bounties in addition to the federal bountybounty

New York State spend over $86,000,000 New York State spend over $86,000,000 in payments to volunteers.in payments to volunteers.

Erie County paid our more then Erie County paid our more then $2,000,000 for bounties.$2,000,000 for bounties.

The DraftThe Draft First true draft of the Civil War was provided by the First true draft of the Civil War was provided by the

Enrollment Act of March 3, 1863Enrollment Act of March 3, 1863

Earlier drafts were THREATENED if localities did not Earlier drafts were THREATENED if localities did not meet the quota of soldiers assigned to them. Erie meet the quota of soldiers assigned to them. Erie county exceeded its quota of 2,195 in 1862 and had county exceeded its quota of 2,195 in 1862 and had an estimated 3,406 men in the field that year.an estimated 3,406 men in the field that year.

In July of 1863 as more men were needed draft riots In July of 1863 as more men were needed draft riots erupted. The bloodiest riots were in New York City erupted. The bloodiest riots were in New York City (estimated 1,000 people killed)(estimated 1,000 people killed)

6565thth New York state militia regiment called out to New York state militia regiment called out to active duty in NYC July 15active duty in NYC July 15thth – July 19 – July 19thth 1863 1863

Fort PorterFort PorterSite of Buffalo’s draft on August Site of Buffalo’s draft on August

5, 18635, 1863

Additional view of Ft. PorterAdditional view of Ft. Porter

Fort Porter about 1916Fort Porter about 1916

MoneyMoney The Civil War was the most costly in The Civil War was the most costly in

America’s history until WWI.America’s history until WWI. Union government spent an average of $2 Union government spent an average of $2

million dollars each day.million dollars each day. Report by the secretary of the Treasury in Report by the secretary of the Treasury in

1866 put the cost to the federal govt. at 6.2 1866 put the cost to the federal govt. at 6.2 billion dollars. By 1910 the cost including billion dollars. By 1910 the cost including pensions and burial of veterans had reached pensions and burial of veterans had reached 11.5 billion dollars11.5 billion dollars

LoansLoans Money was obtained by Money was obtained by

selling bonds and Treasury selling bonds and Treasury notesnotes

Interest was from 5 – 7.3% Interest was from 5 – 7.3% People were reluctant to People were reluctant to

purchase these notespurchase these notes Investment firm of Jay Cooke Investment firm of Jay Cooke

and Company given the job and Company given the job as selling agents for the U.S. as selling agents for the U.S. government.government.

The firm sold about 2.5 The firm sold about 2.5 billion dollars in bonds billion dollars in bonds earning Cooke the title earning Cooke the title “financier of the Civil War”“financier of the Civil War”

Jay Cooke

Jay Cooke’s Gibraltar Island Jay Cooke’s Gibraltar Island CastleCastle

Income Tax!Income Tax!

For the first time in U.S. History a tax For the first time in U.S. History a tax on incomes was applied during the on incomes was applied during the Civil War. Civil War.

Became a source of Federal Revenue Became a source of Federal Revenue for ten years from 1863 – 1872 when it for ten years from 1863 – 1872 when it was allowed to lapsewas allowed to lapse

Total collected during the period was Total collected during the period was $346,911,760 and during the war years $346,911,760 and during the war years alone (1863 – 1865) about $55.000,000.alone (1863 – 1865) about $55.000,000.

Who Earned How Much in Who Earned How Much in 1863?1863? George W. TifftGeorge W. Tifft $157,767$157,767

A. J. BlackmarA. J. Blackmar 76,601 76,601 George HowardGeorge Howard 68,715 68,715 Mayor William G. FargoMayor William G. Fargo 68,037 68,037 Charles EnsignCharles Ensign 67,128 67,128 Sidney SheppardSidney Sheppard 66,128 66,128 F.H. RootF.H. Root 52,900 52,900 Thomas ClarkThomas Clark 50,576 50,576 S.S. JewettS.S. Jewett 48,900 48,900 H.B. MillerH.B. Miller 44,800 44,800 Lawrence WoodruffLawrence Woodruff 41,064 41,064 B.C. RumseyB.C. Rumsey 40,000 40,000 D.P. RumseyD.P. Rumsey 40,000 40,000

Elbridge G. SpauldingElbridge G. Spaulding

Member of Congress from Member of Congress from Erie County reported Erie County reported income of $14,815 in 1863income of $14,815 in 1863

Member of the House Ways Member of the House Ways and Means Committeeand Means Committee

Main sponsor of bill that Main sponsor of bill that allowed the Secretary of the allowed the Secretary of the Treasury to issue Treasury to issue “Greenbacks” paper money“Greenbacks” paper money

This bill eventually resulted This bill eventually resulted in the printing of in the printing of $150,000,000 in greenbacks $150,000,000 in greenbacks and by war’s end the figure and by war’s end the figure reached more than reached more than $400,000,000.$400,000,000.

Spaulding House in BuffaloSpaulding House in Buffalo

Sidway Building on site of the Sidway Building on site of the Spaulding home todaySpaulding home today

Spaulding Cenotaph in Forest Spaulding Cenotaph in Forest LawnLawn

Spaulding Grave

MaterialsMaterials

The equipment, apparatus, and The equipment, apparatus, and supplies used during wartimesupplies used during wartime

The Civil War: The First Great The Civil War: The First Great Modern ConflictModern Conflict

Union had superiority in both men and Union had superiority in both men and material – union armies were better material – union armies were better clothed, better equipped, better housed clothed, better equipped, better housed and better fedand better fed

Union Navy was superior to the Union Navy was superior to the Confederate navy which was almost non-Confederate navy which was almost non-existentexistent

The Monitor and Merrimack were the first The Monitor and Merrimack were the first ironclad shipsironclad ships

The Monitor & The MerrimackThe Monitor & The Merrimack

U.S.S. MonitorU.S.S. Monitor

County contributions to the War County contributions to the War EffortEffort

Erie County’s tanneries produced leather for a Erie County’s tanneries produced leather for a horse-and-mule drawn armyhorse-and-mule drawn army

1862 Pratt & Co. were casting iron for ship’s 1862 Pratt & Co. were casting iron for ship’s boilersboilers

David Bell’s shipyard was preparing to build David Bell’s shipyard was preparing to build several tugs for the Union navy.several tugs for the Union navy.

1863 New York Central RR opened huge 1863 New York Central RR opened huge stockyards on the east side of Buffalostockyards on the east side of Buffalo

Increased commerce on the Great Lakes and Increased commerce on the Great Lakes and the Erie Canal created new wealth in Buffalo.the Erie Canal created new wealth in Buffalo.

Erie Canal TrafficErie Canal Traffic Union’s outlet to the Gulf of Mexico by way of Union’s outlet to the Gulf of Mexico by way of

the Ohio-Missouri-Mississippi river system the Ohio-Missouri-Mississippi river system was cut off.was cut off.

Land route from West to East by way of the Land route from West to East by way of the Baltimore & Ohio RR was subject to Baltimore & Ohio RR was subject to Confederate attack.Confederate attack.

The Great Lake’s inland waterway was the The Great Lake’s inland waterway was the inevitable route by which Midwestern grain inevitable route by which Midwestern grain must move on its way east or to Europemust move on its way east or to Europe

Grain storage elevators prospered and they Grain storage elevators prospered and they raised storage rates from ¼ to ½ and then to raised storage rates from ¼ to ½ and then to ¾ of a cent per bushel more.¾ of a cent per bushel more.

1862 receipts of wheat in Buffalo reached an 1862 receipts of wheat in Buffalo reached an all-time high of 30 ½ million bushels.all-time high of 30 ½ million bushels.

MoraleMorale Northern morale went up and down in Northern morale went up and down in

accordance with Union military victory or accordance with Union military victory or defeat.defeat.

Moral up when Grant captured forts Henry Moral up when Grant captured forts Henry and Donnellson but down after and Donnellson but down after McClellan’s failure to capture Richmond McClellan’s failure to capture Richmond in spring and summer of 1862.in spring and summer of 1862.

Moral was up again after Mead’s victory Moral was up again after Mead’s victory over General Lee at Gettysburg in July of over General Lee at Gettysburg in July of 18631863

Morale lowest in spring & Morale lowest in spring & summer of 1864summer of 1864

Grant’s campaign to take Richmond in Grant’s campaign to take Richmond in 1864 resulted in battles of the 1864 resulted in battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House.House.

Union Army lost 33,000 men killed Union Army lost 33,000 men killed wounded and missing. About 1 of every wounded and missing. About 1 of every 7 men in the Union forces.7 men in the Union forces.

Grant said he would “fight it out along Grant said he would “fight it out along this line” if it took all summer. It would this line” if it took all summer. It would take until spring of 1865 before victory take until spring of 1865 before victory was certain.was certain.

Victory is a “bitter harvest”Victory is a “bitter harvest”

4949thth NYV Infantry had 240 men killed or NYV Infantry had 240 men killed or wounded between three battles, The wounded between three battles, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House and Cold Harbor. (about 60% of its and Cold Harbor. (about 60% of its strength at the time)strength at the time)

Presidential Election of 1864Presidential Election of 1864

Lincoln “Honest Abe” McClellan “Little Mac”

Lincoln takes the blame!Lincoln takes the blame!

Erie County’s voters blamed Lincoln for Erie County’s voters blamed Lincoln for the agony of 1863 and 1864 and when the agony of 1863 and 1864 and when they voted in November of 1864 they they voted in November of 1864 they supported his opponent, General supported his opponent, General George B. McClellanGeorge B. McClellan

Lincoln gained 13,061 votes on the Lincoln gained 13,061 votes on the Republican Ticket while McClellan Republican Ticket while McClellan gained 13, 368gained 13, 368

More bad news!More bad news! General William Tecumseh Sherman’s Union army was General William Tecumseh Sherman’s Union army was

slowly advancing toward Atlanta but the fighting was slowly advancing toward Atlanta but the fighting was costly and hard.costly and hard.

General Nathaniel Banks with 40,000 men and 50 ships General Nathaniel Banks with 40,000 men and 50 ships had started up the Red River to gain control of Louisiana had started up the Red River to gain control of Louisiana and East Texas – this campaign was a failure.and East Texas – this campaign was a failure.

Rising cost of living (prices for most goods had doubled) Rising cost of living (prices for most goods had doubled) was hurting working men and their families.was hurting working men and their families.

1863 & 1864 numerous strikes had taken place in 1863 & 1864 numerous strikes had taken place in Buffalo and black men were sometimes hired as Buffalo and black men were sometimes hired as strikebreakers.strikebreakers.

The Buffalo The Buffalo Courier Courier branded the Emancipation branded the Emancipation Proclamation as unconstitutional while the Proclamation as unconstitutional while the Commercial Commercial Advertiser Advertiser and the and the Express Express both defended it.both defended it.

What can a woman do?What can a woman do?

One newspaper answered the question this way:One newspaper answered the question this way:

A woman can do everything! She can give A woman can do everything! She can give her husband and brother cheerfully to the holy her husband and brother cheerfully to the holy cause of Liberty and Union. It belongs to her to cause of Liberty and Union. It belongs to her to say ‘Go.’ Let her not say ‘Stay’.say ‘Go.’ Let her not say ‘Stay’.

Some figures suggest that women in Erie County Some figures suggest that women in Erie County cut and sewed 30,060 shirts, knitted 9,380 pairs cut and sewed 30,060 shirts, knitted 9,380 pairs of socks, collected 86,495 hospital supply items of socks, collected 86,495 hospital supply items and produced 5,588 pounds of bandages.and produced 5,588 pounds of bandages.

Ladies’ General Aid Society & Ladies’ General Aid Society & United States Sanitary United States Sanitary

CommissionCommission

Sanitary Commission aided in Sanitary Commission aided in communication between soldiers communication between soldiers

and their loved ones at homeand their loved ones at home

U.S. Sanitary Commission workers U.S. Sanitary Commission workers often acted as nurses in army often acted as nurses in army

hospitalshospitals

Colonial Circle with the Gen. Bidwell Colonial Circle with the Gen. Bidwell statue on a pedestal in the centerstatue on a pedestal in the center

General Daniel BidwellGeneral Daniel Bidwell

cenotaph

Monument at Colonial Circle

Marble Bidwell Monument in Marble Bidwell Monument in Forest Lawn CemeteryForest Lawn Cemetery

U.S.S. MichiganU.S.S. Michigan

John Yates Beall – leader of John Yates Beall – leader of the plot to seize the Michiganthe plot to seize the Michigan

Surrender at AppomattoxSurrender at AppomattoxApril 9,1865April 9,1865

The McLean HouseThe McLean House

“The war began in my front yard and ended in my front parlor” - Wilmer McLean

Lincoln Assassinated!Lincoln Assassinated!

John Wilkes BoothJohn Wilkes Booth

Lincoln’s Funeral TrainLincoln’s Funeral Train

New York Central’sNew York Central’sExchange Street Station on Exchange Street Station on

the morning of April 27, 1865the morning of April 27, 1865

The car that carried the The car that carried the President’s body home to President’s body home to

Illinois for burialIllinois for burial..

The EndThe End

Questions?Questions?

More Notes on Chapin ParkwayMore Notes on Chapin Parkway