From Bayonets to Bombs: Delaware County in Times of War
The people of Delaware County have always been actively involved in the wars waged by the United States of America. From enlisting or volunteering for a branch of the military to organizing support on the home front, the effects of war have been felt right here at home.
Revolutionary War, April 1775-Sept. 3, 1783
During the Revolutionary War there were a mere 100 settlers, or so in the area that was to become Delaware County (incorporated in 1797). Only a few tiny settlements dotted the region including Harpersfield, Pakatakan, Pepacton, the Johnston settlement in Sidney, Kortright, and Stamford. Here, as elsewhere on the frontier, allegiances were difficult to ascertain.
A number of small skirmishes occurred within what was to become Delaware County, and the closest thing to a battle occurred in September of 1778 in the area of present-day Downsville. Fifty-two state-militia men under the command of Captain Samuel Clark fought about thirty-five or more Indians under the command of “Captain” Ben Shanks.
Lost in Elk Creek Valley
In October 1778 Colonel William Butler and about 260 Continental soldiers of the Fourth Pennsylvania Regiment were returning to Middle Fort in Schoharie County after raiding the Tory and Indian strongholds around present-day Unadilla and Afton. The weary troops carried with them a wounded man and were soaked after days of torrential rain.
“After exhausting their provisions, the troop got lost after ascending to cross Fall Creek, just north of present-day Delhi. Descending Hollister Hill into a valley they mistook for the Delaware, they unwittingly turned north up Elk Creek. After two days of wandering about in the wilderness the wounded man died and the decision was finally made to turn eastward. Eventually Colonel Butler led his men up and over the hills toward present-day Bloomville and the Delaware River and thence back to the safety of Middle Fort.”
From Ruts In The Road vol. 1 by John Raitt
U.S. Civil War, April 1861- April 1865
The Civil War was the bloodiest war anywhere in the world during the nineteenth century and, not surprisingly, many men and women of Delaware County found their lives radically altered by involvement in the Union war effort. The war has been credited with helping to bring Delaware County together into a closer knit community.
“The Civil War probably provided the first catalyst that drew these scattered enclaves together into a real community. As the companies arrived from the various towns and organized themselves into the 144th Regiment, the common banner under which they fought gave them a sense of truly “belonging” to the county in which they lived.”
From “Two Stones for Every Dirt” by Douglas DeNatale
The first group to leave from Delaware County, under the command of Captain Robert T. Johnson, left Delhi June 4, 1861. A crowd of people, including a band and the Delhi Fire Department, bade them farewell. They were attached to the 3rd Regiment, Excelsior Brigade, and designated as Company I.
The Delaware County men performed picket duty during the fall and winter near Washington DC and took part in their first major battle on May 4th, 1862 at Williamsburg Virginia. They fought in many other battles as the war continued including: Seven Pines (or Fair Oaks), Peach Orchard, Glenn Dale, Malvern Hill, Bristow Station, Bull Run (second), Fredricksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Manassa Gap, Union Mills, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania Courthouse, North Anna, Cold Harbor and Petersburg.
After three years, three-quarters of the original men of the company from Delaware County had been lost and the remainder were mustered out of service at the end of June 1864. Those who returned to Delaware County were welcomed back with a public reception and supper at the O’Donnell House in Delhi.
When war broke out President Lincoln put out a call for troops. Many young men and even boys joined volunteer regiments. Over 2,500 Delaware County men volunteered for three years, the most common length of time to serve.
“I have also to mention the good conduct of the 101st N.Y. volunteers, Colonel George F. Chester commanding. They nobly performed their duty during the fight, also as pickets on the night of the retreat. This regiment, though small in numbers, did good service, and its conduct, together with that of all its officers, was unexceptionable”
From report of General Berry after the battle of Fredericksburg. (Munsell’s History of Delaware County)
The largest and best known regiment mustered in Delaware County was the 144th, composed entirely of Delaware County residents. The regiment was formed during the summer of 1862 after a call went out from Washington D.C. for more manpower at the front. The regiment eventually mustered together at an encampment known as “Camp Delaware,” located just to the south of Delhi on “the flats.”
August 12, 1862
“Mr. Richmond the Methodist minister was here to see Gabriel about enlisting as Chaplin (sic) for the war. Seems quite engaged about going. There has (sic) 17 enlisted from Walton; another war meeting in Hamden this evening the Delhi band have gone down.”
From Eliza Mead diary, Delhi. DCHA Archives
August 23, 1862
“a hundred soldiers came into town from Tompkins for Col. Hughston’s Regiment. they have to be quartered at the hotels till the tents are got ready.”
From Eliza Mead diary, Delhi. DCHA Archives
Around the county ladies groups cooked meals at the local camps where the men prepared to leave.
September 13, 1862
“we had a great dinner given by the ladies of Walton and Hamden. And tonight a nice supper by the citizens of Delhi which the soldier only can appreciate. And a day long to be remembered it seemed much like home as I had privilege of taking many old friends by the hand and took a sweet sip at friendships fountain but any cup was not quite full as I looked for faces that did not appear.”
From Edward Hoyt diary, Walton. DCHA Archives
Many letters were written from the front back home to friends and family.
“Dear Friend,
I now take my pen to write you a few lines to let you know that I was one of the unlucky chuck in the battle front of Petersburg. I was wounded in the first charge in the sholder with a rifle ball it is a pretty ugly wound but it did not go in very deep. I am getting along well. It was a pretty rough charge you may bet. I would like blame well to know where the Corp is for we hear so many stories down here that we cant believe any of them. We have used Lee up so I think we will not have much more fighting. Please write soon I will have to close for my sholder bothers me.
From Your Friend
James R. Hogg
9th Corps Hospital
City Point, VA”
Letter to Thomas Gordon from James R. Hogg, April 12, 1865
Despite the rigors of battle, more soldiers, on both sides of the conflict, actually died from sickness than from wounds received in battle.
“Sickness is far more terrible to our army than rebel cannon, rifles, or bayonets. Five fall of disease where one is slain in battle”
Rev. Champion, June 7, 1862. Printed in The Delaware Republican newspaper.Meanwhile, letters from home encouraged and supported the soldier
“I do hope that you may not be exposed to the pitiless strife of this horrid warfare, that you may return in safety to the land of your birth, always remembering there are warm hearts that will welcome you gladly to our mountain home in Andes. I hope everything is satisfactory to you, and that you may be enabled to remain in the Adjutants office. With this letter I send the last Herald, evidently things are approaching a crisis, Charleston evacuated, town after town surrendering, a great battle is imminent.”
Letter to Mr. Thomas Gordon from Agnes B. Dowie of Andes, February 26, 1865
Spanish American War, April – August 1898
This war, fought with Spain, marked the emergence of the United States as a world power. As a result of its victory, the US won formal control of Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippine Islands and informal control over Cuba.
A small contingent of men from Delaware County fought in the war. Unlike their earlier counterparts of the Civil War, the raw recruits left for the war via train from Walton. Just as in earlier engagements, however, many local people gathered to see them off. A parade was formed, consisting of a band and fire departments, while the troops brought up the rear.
World War I, 1914 (United States 1917) – November 1918
Although the United States did not join the war until 1917, numerous American sailors and soldiers (“Doughboys”) saw active duty in Europe. Once again, fighting men left Delaware County bound for battle. As the men prepared to leave for war a band and fire departments paraded them out of Delhi with flags flying high.
On the home front, McCall’s Magazine printed ads for items to make for the Red Cross that would then be sent to the soldiers. Items included socks, thumbless mits, or wristlets, sleeveless sweaters, mufflers, scarfs, and hot water bottle covers. Seamstresses could send away for directions for a “comfort bag” or “Soldier’s Kit.”
Wheat was one of the main staple foods the United States sent over to Europe. This was due both to the fact that Americans grew a lot of wheat and because it was light and easy to transport. During the war ads appeared in newspapers, emphasizing the use of corn products as a substitute to help supply enough wheat overseas. Newspapers printed “Victory Menus” with wheatless and meatless days.
“The year of 1918 was ushered in on a wave of economy and conservation measures in support of the boys at the front. To conserve coal, public schools and other public buildings were used on Saturday and closed Monday. Railroad passenger service was curtailed throughout the nation. The need to purchase Thrift stamps and Liberty bonds was kept before Republican readers as their patriotic duty.”
From 100 Years in the History of Delhi, New York 1860-1960
Another way in which civilians helped support the war was by buying savings bonds such as Liberty Loans and Defense Stamps. These types of bonds helped provide the government with a means to support the war.
World War I was the first time the government issued savings bonds and Americans bought more than $54 billion worth. The government has continued to sell savings bonds ever since.
Everyone took part in the war effort, even children, who played an active role by selling war bonds.
In April of 1918 President Wilson asked the Boy Scouts of America to help conduct an intensive Liberty Loan campaign. The Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America responded to the President’s call by formal resolution declaring: “That the Boy Scouts of America stands for 100 percent patriotism and unqualified and energetic support of the government in every way.” (Andes Recorder April 1918) The Boy Scouts took this job seriously, and even created a manual on how best to sell the Liberty Bond.
“To each Scout or Scout official who secures Liberty Loan subscriptions from ten or more independent buyers there will be awarded a war service emblem. Scouts who won emblems in either or both of the previous campaigns will receive an additional bar to be suspended from the original medal.”
Andes Recorder April 1918
There were many ways to get your friends and family to buy stamps or bonds. The Christmas Card Defense stamps booklet was a perfect example. A book was given as a gift in which to collect stamps as a gift. Once the person filled the book, he or she received a bond.
World War I ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year 1918. Ten million people lay dead.
Villages throughout Delaware County celebrated the armistice with bells, whistles, bonfires, speeches, parades and fire works. Automobiles were sent to neighboring towns to announce a prayer service to be held in Delhi and a large crowd gathered on Courthouse Square to participate in the festivities.
The hamlet of East Branch at the end of WWI did not have mass communication, so when the information about the war’s end came in over the telegraph the church bells rang out. Everyone came to town to see what had happened.
“On the afternoon of November 11, 1918, the telegraph key began an announcement that was repeated over and over and over, “The Armistice has been signed, The Armistice has been signed.” At 11 o’clock on the 11th day of the 11th month the war was finally officially over.
Our church bells served many purposes besides calling the faithful to church on Sunday. This day the church bells rang and rang and rang. Even farmers who lived outside the village heard the bells and drove their horses to town to discover what had happened.
Dignified men jumped up and down shouting, ‘the war is over, the war is over’ Everyone was laughing and crying at the same time. Women normally waited at home for the men to come back and tell them the news, but this time the news spread like wildfire, and soon there were as many women as men joining in the shouting.
As it got dark, someone said, ‘Let’s build a bonfire.’ In no time a big pile of wood appeared, a torch was lit, and never before or since has there been such a big bonfire in East Branch. As more wood was needed, outhouses were added to the fire. All the men had torches and were marching around the fire. Everyone was singing patriotic songs and hymns of praise to God for the end of the war.”
From “Old Delaware County: A Memoir” by Gertrude Fitch Horton
Everybody who served in the armed forces received the WWI Victory Medal designed by James Earl Fraser. The theme was agreed upon by all allied nations, and each country was to produce its own design of the theme.
World War II, September 1939 (December 1941 for the US) – August 1945
As in previous wars, Delaware County residents enlisted for duty during World War II and went off to war. For the United States the war began in December 1941 after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor.
In some cases anyone who was of age enlisted in the military, including women. As many as 3 to 6 children from one family may have joined up.
Once again Americans on the home front did what they could to support the war by purchasing war bonds, organizing blood and scrap metal drives and engaging in other activities.
In Delaware County groups were formed to help organize drives for scrap metal and other useful items. Junk rallies and scrap metal collections were set up around the county. Many different items were needed for the war effort including old tires, scrap iron and steel, old shovels, pans, farm equipment, rubber, rags, manila rope and burlap bags. Such domestic goods could all be put to good use and were used in the production of munitions, tanks, planes and shipping, and even gas masks.
“Helen and Ellen Carpenter, using a team of oxen, collected many pounds of rubber, old tires, arctics and the like, from everyone in the village.”
Eva Liddle and Helen Curran in Our Bridge to Yesterday: Recollections of South Kortright
For the first time in history, the United States government instituted mandatory rationing during World War II. Ration books were distributed by the government to limit scarce goods needed by the military. These included mainly meat, sugar, gasoline and tires. Special consideration in the allocation of gasoline and tires was given to farmers in order to ensure the supply of goods to market. Meanwhile, maple syrup was used in place of sugar, cakes were baked without eggs, and classes were given on how to can food items.
As in World War I women sewed and knitted, made bandages and assembled toiletry kits.
In 1940 a local woman, Mrs. Alice McLean of South Kortright, founded the American Women’s Voluntary Services (AWVS), whose units were intended to provide the opportunity for women to help their communities and the nation. By 1941 the AWVS had formed thousands of units, and their number spanned the country.
“Doing Red Cross work during WWII and getting involved in the war effort. Red Cross projects of knitting, making bandages and toiletry kits for the soldiers, as well as lard and rubber collecting.”
Eva Liddle and Helen Curran in Our Bridge to Yesterday: Recollections of South Kortright
Local factories supplied the armed forces with needed equipment. Scintilla/Bendix Company in Sidney produced a magneto/ignition vital to airplanes, tanks and PT (patrol torpedo) boats. By 1942 there were 3,500 workers at the plant, traveling from as far away as 100 miles. In keeping with the national trend, many women joined the Sidney industrial workforce and by war’s end the Scintilla plant ran three eight-hour shifts per day. To accommodate this boom a federal housing project was constructed in Sidney (1941) to provide homes for the workers.
Flags were a popular form of support in both World Wars. They soon became known as the “son in service flag.” Each blue star represented a family member serving in the armed forces. A gold star represented a family member who was killed or died during the war.
Most towns and some businesses had their own service flag showing how many people from the town or business were serving in the war. Delaware County had a service flag indicating everyone from the county who was serving in World War II. It was hung on the Delhi Courthouse Square and kept up to date by the women of the American Women’s Voluntary Service. In March of 1945 there were 3,616 blue stars and 92 gold stars.
Many people kept scrapbooks during World War II, some made specifically for the war. People filled these books with articles on local boys and their whereabouts.
Newspapers helped with special sections in which they gave a brief overview as to what was going on in the different sections of the military. The Stamford Mirror created a small section entitled “This Week in Defense” which summarized “information on the important developments of the week made available by official sources.” (Stamford Mirror, 1941) Papers also printed letters the soldier sent home.
Many men in both World Wars collected souvenirs from the battlefield. Some soldiers made “trench art” out of old shell casings and the like.
Korea, 1950 – 1953
The Cold War, pitting the USA and other western Democracies in conflict with the Soviet Union and her communist allies, exploded into armed warfare on the Korean Peninsular only five years after the end of World War II.
Vietnam, early 1960’s –1975 (1973 for US forces)
U.S. involvement in the conflict in Southeast Asia became more intense as the decade of the 1960’s progressed, particularly after 1965. Although the war became increasingly contentious at home and abroad, soldiers from Delaware County served bravely in Vietnam.
As in earlier wars, civilians supported the troops in a variety of ways. Fannie Delameter, a teacher in Treadwell, corresponded with former students in Vietnam.
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