The Civil War: Pye, Conscription, and The Warren Rifles

 

During the period soon after the start of the Civil War it is apparent that the strength of the Company and Department were cut by enlistment’s. In early 1861,  Edward Pye Esq, Treasurer of Warren Engine Co #1 and the first Village President recruited a company of volunteers and left the Village to participate in the Civil War.

Many more Haverstraw Firemen were to follow Captain Pye. To help maintain the Department ranks, a Fireman’s Association was formed whereby firemen who were subject to the draft under the conscription act joined and each member contributed $50. The Association then asked that the village contribute an additional $900 or as much as might be necessary to secure Draft Exemptions for it’s members. Such a proposition was so voted at a special election. The drain caused by the war was evident at the election for Chief held on May 15th, 1862 when only 26 votes were cast at which Belding Barnes of Warren No. 1 became the first Chief from this Company.

In 1861 Pye was appointed Captain of the “Warren Rifles”, later Company F, 95th New York. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel about the time of Antietam, he led the Regiment at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. He was then promoted Colonel. He saw further action in the Wilderness and at Spottsylvania, but was mortally wounded at Cold Harbor and died shortly after in June 1864. He is buried  Oak Hill Cemetery  Nyack, New York.

 

THE 95th New York in Battle

The 95th New York Volunteer Infantry fought in the American Civil War under the commandment of Ulysses S. Grant, Major General James Samuel Wadsworth and Brigadier General Edmund Rice. The companies were recruited principally in New York City, Brooklyn, Haverstraw, Carmel, Peekskill, Sing Sing and White Plains.

The infantry joined in the action of the Railroad cut on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg. They fought many battles including Battle of Mine Run, Grant’s Overland Campaign, Battle of the Wilderness, Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, Battle of North Anna, and the Battle of Cold Harbor where Brother Pye lost his life.

 

The Warren Rifles, Company F remained on the front for the entire war. The regiment was active at the Weldon railroad, where Richard Smith of Haverstraw won The Congressional Medal of Honor for single-handedly capturing 2 officers and 20 men of Hagood’s brigade.

They were engaged in front of Petersburg, at Poplar Spring Church, Hatcher’s run, and on the Hicksford raid. The were engaged throughout the  Appomattox campaign. The 95th NY was mustered out at Washington, July 16, 1865, having lost 119 by death from wounds and 136 from other causes, of whom 80 died in imprisonment.

Hudson Avenue Monument Dedication

The Restoration of Grand Army of the Republic Flag

The Restoration of Grand Army of the Republic Flag

The flag to be restored is one of two flags, which were found by Lance Ingmire, regiment historian of 95th New York. “The flags were left sitting in the trailside museum at Bear Mountain Park.” he told the Rockland County Times. He said they were left to deteriorate in a broken frame for approximately 75 years. One flag, which was framed and presented at the presentation of the check and the County Archives building in Pomona, the second flag  is a Grand Army of the Republic Flag, which belonged to the Edward Pye Post of Haverstraw, NY. Kralik said that having the flags restored is important to perpetuate the memory of the Civil War veterans. “When we begin to forget one set of veterans, we begin to forget them all,” he said. “By remembering the Civil War veterans, we remember them all.” And remember we will. The GAR FLAG is on proud display in the Haverstraw Town Hall in Thiells New York. The public is welcome to view it.