Family History

WILLIAM BOGERT NEWMAN
LIFE AND TIMES OF illS
MILITARY CAREER
1861-1906
Alice Mellen
April 2007
MILITARY CAREER OF WILLIAM BOGART NEWMAN
A career navy man like his father, William B. Newman was born the second ofsix children to William Day Newman and Miriam Swim Scofield on 03 Nov1834 in Fishkill (Dutchess County), New York. His father was probably stationed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard at the time, and his mother's family lived in Fishkill.
By the time Willie was six, the family had moved to Brooklyn, New York, to be near the "Yard." His father died at sea in 1844, and the family again moved to Fishkill. Nothing is known ofhim or his family unti11856, when, at age 22, he married Elizabeth Garrison Bogardus ofKingston, New York.
Will and his family lived in Brooklyn where the first two ofhis eight children were born. FIGHTING FOURTEENTH AT BULL RUN
After the opening shots at Fort Sumter, President Lincoln called for a three-month volunteer militia, and, even though married with two children, Will Newman enlisted in the Army at age 27 on 18Apr1861.1 The Fourteenth Regiment ofthe New York State Militia met not far from his home, and he was mustered in as a private in Company "L", the Corps of Engineers, on 23May1861. Called the "Brooklyn Chasseurs" for their colorful uniform ofred trousers and blue blouses, the regiment trained at Ft. Greene, Brooklyn, and was to ready to leave several weeks later.2 A total of825 officers and soldiers left for Washington, D.C. on the way south via Newark, New Jersey, and Baltimore.
As more and more Federal troops were being trained, they hurriedly proceeded to the nation's capital to be ready for action when and where Lincoln decided they were needed. On 23May at Arlington, VA, they were mustered into the "United States service for the period of the war unless sooner discharged," as their term was automatically extended. 3 They bivouacked and continued drill north ofthe Potomac River, where President Lincoln reviewed the 14th New York Regiment and others a week later. 4
On 16July, the troops started their march to Camp Richmond, about 20 miles to the southwest. (confusing, implies they were marching to Richmond V A, about 100 mi south of DC.) En route Newman wrote to his wife, living at 33 Debevoise Street, Brooklyn, from "Camp ofRichmond" at Fairfax, VA, seemingly as he marched along. He vividly described the scene
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[I]t was the most magnificent sight ...we marched from our camp to where the roads met to go to Fairfax ...there was nothing but ranks ofglistening bayonets...in the sun as we marched ...untiI12 o'clock at night ...We took possession ofthis place without shedding a drop ofblood...cowards ran before they got sight ofus...when we arrived the 1 st Reg. Cavalry after them full tilt. 18th daylight Nothing happened to disturb us last night ...we move from here at 7 o'clock.
Another source describes the scene similarly saying that several regiments wore colorful uniforms reflecting their aesthetics with the silken banners flying in the breeze still unsoiled and intact. This took place as Major General Irvin McDowell was moving the Army ofNortheast Virginia from the Washington, DC, area to Centerville, about six miles east of Manassas Junction. There he was to wait for supply trains before he could go on to Bull Run. Within this group, the Sixteenth U.S. Infantry under Colonel Andrew Porter, were the 14th New York State Militia, Griffm's battery, marines, 27th NY Volunteers, 8th NY Militia, and several other units. The 3700 men "silently paraded in light marching order" at 2 a.m. on the 21 st, reaching Centerville at 4:30 a.m. 5
Because ofdelays in marching formation, the major battle began about 9 a.m. According to the Fighting Fourteenth's regimental history, enemy shots whizzed overhead as the men crossed the Bull Run (river). Some troops panicked and ran, but the 14th fought valiantly under heavy enemy fire and retreated in good order.6 This is only one version ofthe story.
A plaque on the field at Manassas Battlefield site adds more details: ''up the slope marched the 14th Brooklyn, resplendent in Zouave uniforms. They managed to recapture two Federal guns for a few moments." (See photos and map in the Appendix). The Brigade saw much action that day and retreated as the Confederates took the day.
Vivid recollections from military officers on the scene present a much more complex picture. Several reports say Porter's Brigade, specifically the 11 th (New York Fire Zouaves) and the 14th, moved forward and secured positions very close to the enemy's batteries near Henry Hill. Ready to fire when the enemy surprised them on the right, the 11 th fled. The enemy also attacked on the right, killing or wounding two U.S. officers and many men and horses. Despite orders by superiors to rally and return to the line of fire, men from both these units fled to the rear. This occurred as Confederates opened fire on the retreating soldiers. (Read Major Barry's report and see maps ofthe area in the Appendix.) The next day, Colonel Porter wrote that
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Colonel Wood ofthe 14th was wounded, and that several ofthe 14th's officers distinguished themselves with their display 0 f courage and competence.7 Recollections ofa private in Company C stated that he saw little ofthe panic others attributed to the 14th -''they marched offthe field in good order." Regimental history reported two dead and other casualties, but apparently Newman was not one ofthem.8
Men from many groups walked back to Centerville, a distance of25 miles and then on to the Potomac, another 20 miles, much ofit in pouring rain. Another report clarifies this by saying that McDowell and his senior officers discussed trying to hold at Centerville (to which they had retreated), but with the lack offood and low morale, the troops had already decided matters by "streaming away to the rear" towards the Potomac and where their provisions and personal effects were waiting. Perhaps the 14th was one ofthe few "collected bodies" which hurried east, giving credence to the regiment's orderly retreat. 9
Will and the rest ofhis regiment continued the routine ofdrill and guard duty. Even though he had signed on for the duration ofthe war, Newman was mustered out at Arlington, Virginia on 28Aug1861. This occurred when the Corps ofEngineers was disbanded as being "in excess ofa regular organization;" while the remainder ofthe regiment stayed in Virginia. 10 When Will left the army, Linco In was calling for additional troops for a three-year term; after only four months but with his discharge papers in hand, he chose not to re-enlist.
EARLY NAVY YEARS
It is not known how or when he arrived back in Brooklyn, but several months later, he followed in his father's footsteps by joining the Navy. 11 Appointed as Acting Master's Mate on 120ct1861, he was to report to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, also not far from his home. Two days later he was assigned to the Brandywine, a receiving and stores ship at the Yard. 12
That July, a daughter Lillie Howard was born, and William fmally got to see her in early November when he had 15 days' leave to go back to Debevoise Street in the Greenwood section ofBrooklyn. It appears he did not have another opportunity to be home before Lillie died shortly before her first birthday.
As part ofthe North American blockade squadron, the Brandywine was ordered to stand duty at Hampton Roads while still serving as a stores ship in the fleet commanded by Rear Admiral Samuel P. Lee. Duties on this type ofship should have provided a good introduction
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to sea life. Newman evidently proved himself a worthy seaman, and by February 1862 had been promoted to Acting Master. Records show that-he was listed on the roster ofthe Brandywine 01Jan1863 as one ofseveral Acting Masters.
By the end ofJune 1863, orders came that Will was to report to the Quartermaster at Fortress Monroe (offthe Peninsula between the Potomac and James Rivers). He was then ordered to the Southfield, where he was listed on the 01Jan1864 roster again as one ofthe Acting Masters. 13
SOUTHFIELD AT PLYMOUTH, NC
This lightly-armed converted ferry was assigned to a group ofships that had been on patrol in the Sounds ofNorth Carolina and Hatteras Inlet since 1862 under the command of Lieutenant-Commander Charles W. Flusser. During the Spring of 1863 the ship supported Federal troops at Washington, NC, after which she again resumed patrol duty until early 1864in Albemarle Sound. The Confederates again took the offensive in early 1864, involving Southfield in further combat actions. The Southfield and others ran up the Chowan River to aid a ship trapped by enemy fIfe on 01Mar1864. The next day Southfield and Whitehead steadily bombarded a Confederate position, enabling the trapped ship to escape. Flusser reported in a letter to Brigadier-General Harry W. Wessels, Commander ofthe sub-District ofAlbemarle of Union troops at Plymouth (on the Roanoke River) that the actions ofSouthfield and Miami were commendable.
She was off Plymouth in mid April, in company with USS Miami, when the Confederates attached Plymouth. Expecting an attack by the iron-clad Albemarle as she came down the river, Flusser, also captain ofthe Miami, chained that ship and Newman's Southfield together for concentrated fire power and mutual protection. As Union troops who held the nearby city ofPlymouth were being attacked on April 17, Southfield and Miami were unshackled and, together with Whitehead and others, moved up river to support the Union troops. A little later he was told that the ram which finally repaired her faulty machinery would be coming down the river past the city the next night. Union ground fortifications stretched from Fort Gray to the crossing ofConaby Creek, 2 Y2 miles east ofthe city, where most ofthe ships were to wait. As the ram appeared at 3:30 in the morning ofthe 19th, Flusser bravely positioned the two light wooden ships towards the ram, firing as they closed in on her.
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The larger Albemarle veered toward the Union boats, struck a glancing blow offthe Miami and then struck Southfield amidships with her prow, tearing a large hole through to the boiler compartment. Still attached to the ''Miami,'' the Southfield started to drag that ship down. The Albemarle also started to sink, being embedded in the ferry boat. Vainly the Albemarle reversed its engines while the men on the Union gunboats threw hand grenades into its portholes. The Miami maintained intense fire against the ram, which was not in a position to return fire. Lt. Cmdr. Flusser ordered a nine inch rifled to fire on the Albemarle at point blank range. When his order was not obeyed, Flusser himself fired the gun. The shot or exploding fragments ricocheted offthe ram back into the Miami killing Flusser instantly. Lt. French, now commanding the Miami ordered the lashings cut and reversed the engines freeing it from the two other ships and proceeded down river to safety. With the Miami free, the Albemarle was
able to free itself from the Southfield and escape. She then turned upstream to fire on the Union troops at Plymouth, and was not further damaged by additional fire power from the Miami and other ships, who chose to abandon the river to the Confederates. 14
Free ofthe Albemarle and the Miami, the mortally wounded Southfield sank to the
bottom ofthe river and remains there to this day.
Many men were wounded or killed on both Union boats. At the time ofthe attack, 117 men were reported to be on Southfield's deck. Some nlanaged to jump aboard the Miami and others fought over the small life boats. One ofthe ram's small escort boats had escaped damage and aided in rescuing crewmen ofthe Southfield. 15 The ship sunk in less than 15 minutes, and Newman was one ofthe last to leave the ship. He, a friend Ensign Thomas Stokes, and several others decided to swim for shore and made it safely." 16 (See Appendix for more of
the story.)
Although Newman was officially listed as missing, eight Union seamen were captured. Somehow he wrote a note after being captured and got it to a Union ship. On April 20 from the Plymouth area, Newman sent a letter addressed to his wife:
By the fortunes ofwar I am a prisoner, Mr. Stokes likewise. For how long I cannot tell but I hope we will be exchanged soon .. .I saved nothing but what I stood in as the "Southfield" sunk if(in?)15 minutes ...Mr. Stokes wants you to call on his wife and tell her he is all right.
5
This note reached his Brooklyn home accompanied by a letter from the Acting Master
H.F. Pratt, formally ofthe Southfield,:
I enclose to you one ofyour husband's letters received today -I am sorry to inform you that Billy is a prisoner-too bad for a brave man ...he fought the SoutJrfield to the last -and with his own had fired the last gun from our beloved old ship.
(The treatment ofthe Union troops and seamen by the Confederates was said to be very cordial, and one could believe such letters might have been delivered to the Union ships.)
Although the Confederates captured Plymouth, they sent their captives to prisons in the South, rather then parole them In tracing the approximately 500-mile route to Georgia that these Union troops traveled, it is conceivable that Newman went with these men. They were escorted through North Carolina via Foster's Mills, Jamesville, Williamstown, Hamilton and Tarboro, then southwesterly to Goldsborough, a total offive days march. From there they went by rail to Wilmington, NC, and then to Charleston and Savannah, SC, where they changed trains for Macon, GA, and on to Andersonville Prison where most ofthe troops wound Up.17
A letter from General Wessels relates that he was treated kindly by Confederate General Robert L. Hoke. After being separated from his troops, Wessels was also "conveyed" to Camp Oglethorpe, a prison for Union officers· in Macon. Perhaps Newman had the fortune to travel part ofthe way with him -we do not know which route he took.
CAMP OGLETHORPE The following are excerpts from letters written by William Newman in this camp. They
seem to indicate his good spirits even though he may have been bored from lack ofexercise and in need 0 f clothing. 18 (These are exact translations)
May 3rd -We have been here for the last 2 days ... We are all in good health, don't worry yourself darling but Hope for the best. .. You must only write half a page and don't seal it as it has to be examined ...Kiss the little ones for me ...
May 12th -do all you can to get me exchanged as soon as possible. IfMa would see Adm Paulding he might have some influence with our Comishr of Exchange, see Wilson & Uncle William about it too, in the mean while dolly get me some clothes made so I will have "something to wear" when I get home I am rather a dirty specimen ofa U.S. Naval Officer ... I wish I had a couple of
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flannel overshirts and one more under ditto and some soap; then I could change and keep a little cleaner ... I would like to hear from you dearly. And know that · b 19
you are not frettmg a out me.
May 22nd -I hear from some ofthe officers from Libby that they saw my
name in the N.Y. papers as being a prisoner,20 so I hope before this that you
know that I am alive and well. I am still in good health and spirits, do all
you can to get me exchanged, send me a box dolly with 2 overshirts 1 under
shirt, 1 towel a tin plate knife for and spoon ...soap smoking tobacco and a
wood pipe and some pepper coffee & sugar, an old felt hat ... write on a half
sheet and only on one side and only about personal matters .. .
June 5th -I can not tell you how much I would like to hear from you and know That you were all well and not worrying yourself about me... I am losing all energy and getting confoundedly lazy and long for liberty and home for awhile the feed we get here is not Delmonico's by much ifnot more but it enough to keep us alive and altogether we are a pretty merry sort and don't get very downhearted, ifnecessary I think I can stand it for a while longer but I would dearly like a pipe and some baccy ...
[From June to October, there appears to be no correspondence from Newman, as no
additional letters have surfaced. Complete copies ofthese letters appear in the Appendix.]
Most ofthe prisoners were moved to Savannah and Charleston starting mid July ahead
ofUnion troops threatening the area. A letter written later by General Wessels (Union
commander at Plymouth) stated that he had been imprisoned at Oglethorpe from May 12 to
June 10, and that he was able to visit with some ofthe recently released men from Oglethorpe
as they were now confined at the Charleston city jail and its yard. He found them ''very
uncomfortable, being much crowded and poorly sheltered.,,21
It is not known exactly when Newman was released from Oglethorpe, or whether he
and Wessels ever met at Charleston. Newman was eventually transferred to Libby Prison in
Richmond VA before being exchanged on October 18th at Aiken Landing, VA.22 On October
19 William wrote home while aboard a ship in the James River:
Free once more I can hardly realize .. .I can move about again, and not have
a grey jacket pointing a shooting stick ...Oh how I do want to see you and the
children to have my arms around you once more ...Oh how I wish I could take
the Boat from Fort Monroe and come straight home but we are in the
Commissioners hands yet being on Parole and have to be turned over by him
to the Dept ... my health is good with the exception ofa severe cold thanks to
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"Libby" (not you but the Prison ofthat name) ... you'll see some tall feats in
the eating line when I reach home. My love to all Kiss the little ones for me
and keep a good look out for your own dear...Willie
William returned home to Brooklyn a hero several days later to experience a happy reunion with his wife and children. Seemingly on the same day he got home, he sent a letter to the Secretary ofthe Navy Gideon Welles, stating he was ready for duty again! What about his poor wife and kids -would they never see him again? Within a month (08Nov) he was off again to the New York Yard not far from home, and aboard the Receiving Ship North Carolina where he would stay for the next month.
LATER NAVY CAREER
On 03Decl864 he was ordered to report to Boston Yard aboard the screw sloop Wachusett. Shortly afterwards, she sailed for duty in the East Indies and Asiatic waters until latel867, and Newman was not "detached and without orders" until 01Feb1868. Newman's personal recollections also state the ship sailed for the China Station on 05Mar1865 and stayed until her return (no date indicated).23 Perhaps the ship returned to Boston Yard and he stayed there until his detachment. (See details ofships in Appendix)
During the time he was to be at sea, his family moved from Brooklyn to Elmendorf Street, Kingston, NY, to be nearer Lizzie's folks. According to the family Bible, a son William Day was born there 22Sep1865. Family stories tell ofmany gifts brought back to young children when their father returned from the Far East, either in 1868 or from a later trip in 1886. Possibly as early as 1865-1866, another family tale relates that summers may have been spent at the famous resort Catskill Mountain House, about 20 miles northwest ofKingston, near Woodstock. Part ofthe year during 1866, the family lived at 43 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, according to ~he City Directory.
An entry on the official records for I1Mar1868 reads "service in volunteer Navy," a strange entry, but perhaps it means that his tour ofduty during the war was over and he reenlisted voluntarily.24 Then next day he was appointed Ensign. He would not be commissioned as Ensign until 24Jun1868, with retroactive pay to 12Mar.
Back at the New York Navy Yard (also called Brooklyn Yard) for equipment duty on 03Jun1868, it appears he did not go to sea again until Spring 1869. While in New York, a son
8
named Howard Ostrander was born in Kingston (22 Oct 1868), perhaps while the family was on vacation. Brother James was married at Will's house, 228 Raymond Street, Brooklyn, on 02Jan1868. William had been promoted to Master just a week earlier, and sat for that rank's examination in early January. He was commissioned a Master 13Jan1869, retroactive to 18Dec'68. This was an eventful few months for all ofthe family.
At the end ofMarch 1869 he was detached from the Yard, and with a week's stay presumably at home, he was assigned to the iron-clad Galena at Kittery Yard, Maine, and sailed in her to Norfolk, V A, where she was decommissioned. He then transferred to the Receiving Ship New Hampshire at Norfolk from 28May1869 until he was again transferred to the R. S. Vermont at New Yorkunti121Mar1870. At age 36, he was promoted to Lieutenant, and, following examinations, the change was made official on 25Apr.
Stationed at New York for almost a year, his family was listed as living in the Flatbush section ofBrooklyn during the 1870 census. Will's mother Miriam had also moved in with or was visiting them prior to the census taking.
As ofApril 20th this new Lieutenant was ordered to the Philadelphia Navy Yard to command the steam tug Pi/grim as part ofthe North American Fleet. Although not in the official "Records ofOfficers," Newman's own words state he took the ship to Norfolk, VA, where she "accompanyed [sic] the iron clad Terror to Key West, assisted in coming Iron Clads from New Orleans to Key West in August 1870." While patrolling offthe coast between Key West and New Orleans, Lt. William Newman sat on a court-martial board ofanother commanding officer. This man was accused ofbribing other officers to have their sons withdraw from the exams ofthe Annapolis Naval Academy.25
Later he accompanied the USS Tuscarora to Havana and in January 1871, Pilgrim went from Key West to Sanibel Island, on the southwest comer ofFlorida. By August he took her to her birth place, Philadelphia Navy Yard, to be put out ofcommission. After Pilgrim he again served on Vermont at New York for a month, and by 02Sep1871 he was once again detached and without orders.
After four and one-halfmonths' leave, Will took command ofthe paddle-steamer Wasp on 18Jan1872 for duty on the Brazil Station offSouth America. Naval records show Will did not return to New York Yard until almost two years later, when he was detached on 29Nov1874. He was again detached and without orders on 23Jan1874 until August ofthat year.
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During this t~e, Leslie Herbert, sixth child ofWill and Lizzie, was born in Brooklyn on 23Apr1872. It appears that Will was finally able to spend time at home with his growing family without active sea duty for almost nine months. On August 19th he reported to the triple turreted ironclad Roanoke at New London, CT, when she was either "in ordinary" (repairs) or on harbor service, and was shortly thereafter transferred to the training ship Minnesota.
I t is rumored that the family might have spent several sun1ll1er with friends in the Catskill Mountains ofNew York, and in September 1874, a house on three acres was purchased in Woodland Valley in the name ofWill's wife Lizzie for $350. Located not far from the Village ofPhoenicia (Ulster County), the site was about a half-day's drive from Kingston. It is possible that a small structure used for making straw baskets was already on the property.
During the next few months several events happened in the family. While spending the winter months in Brooklyn, Will's youngest brother, James, died at Will's house in 1875. A son, Jerome Scofield was born there on 21Nov1876. Jerome was sickly and suffered from rickets. To provide him with more fresh air and sunshine, the family started spending more time at the house in the Catskills, where an addition was constructed from 1876 to 1878.
At age 42 and with almost 15 years in the navy, the Records ofOfficers next reads on 05Ju11876 "Sea service ceases (Sec'y) afterwards granted." It appears as ifNewman might have petitioned the Secretary ofthe Navy to be removed from active sea duty list. He was still on the Minnesota until 23May 1877 when he was again detached and granted six months leave.
The next entry in his naval record is for 09Mar1878, when Newman is ordered to the Constellation, but is detached on 24Jul ofthe same year. Constellation history says the ship was on special service to France until May 1879. It is possible that he sailed on the ship on other business, and records show he returned by mid July 1878.26 Still a young man at 44 years, he remained detached and without orders for six months, probably on duty at the New York Yard.
Several weeks after returning from his voyage on the Constellation, his eighth and last child, Cornelius Bogardus, was born on 01Aug1878.27 Expense receipts for the house in Woodland show that coal was bought and chores done, and whether these were for a caretaker in winter or whether the family actually lived there year round and this person helped out when William was out to sea is not known. The 1880 Kingston City Directory (prepared the preceding year) shows the family living at Woodland, and the 1880 census for Brooklyn, lists
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the family as living at 387 Macon Street. The census also shows that William's mother was at 22 Hoyt Street, Brooklyn.
Although several ofthe children were quite grown by now, there were still small ones around the house and Will must have missed them all. Charlie was 23, Fan 19, Will 13, Howard was 11, Les 5, Jerome "Dade" was 3, and Neil just a few months old -what a family!
LATER LIFE
Newman's status ofinactive duty ended when he was assigned to active sea duty and reported to the converted ship-of-the-line New Hampshire (probably based at Port Royal, SC) on 14Feb1879 to be ready for sea service on 01 May. Duty on board the receiving ship lasted until 15Sep 1880. He was next assigned on September 30 as Executive Officer for the small screw sloop Yantic, which had probably returned recently from the Far East and then been reassigned to the North American Squadron. 28
A few months later, Newman became ill and was taken to the Navy Hospital at Norfolk, VA, and was then transferred to the Brooklyn Hospital on 04Feb188l. By April 29 he had been detached from the Yantic and placed on sick leave, not returning to the New York Navy Yard until 07 Jul, two and one half months later. Whether the illness was mental or physical, we do not know. However a family story said he went to a sanitarium in Maine for recuperation, but this cannot be proven.
A month later, he was again on active duty, assigned to the Lancaster on the 4th of August, effective the 20th, where he was to serve until early 1883. The recently repaired and recommissioned screw sloop-of-war sailed from Portsmouth Navy Yard, NH, spent several weeks at N ew York before leaving on an extended cruise. Lancaster arrived at Gibraltar November 9th, became the flagship ofthe European Squadron and spent several years in the Mediterranean region. According to a loving letter dated 06Nov1882, Newman wrote to his son Willie who must have really missed his father. The letter talked ofactivities at home and described how the ship had gone to Alexandria, Egypt and then reached Tripoli, North Africa, on 09 Nov, and planned to go to Palermo, Sicily. (See copy ofletter in Appendix)
Lancaster stayed on Mediterranean duty until 1885, but Newman's records show he was detached on 05Feb1883 to return home and was to report (to the New York Yard.)
11
~-While
at sea in the Mediterranean, he had been promoted to Lieutenant Commander on 02Jun1882. He was to report at Washington, DC, by April 2nd for a medical examination to be ready for sea duty He was commissioned a Lt. Commander on 25Apr, retroactive to his promotion date. That would have meant an extra nine-month's pay differential as Lieutenant Commander.
After having spent six months "detached," and with unknown duties, he finally spent a birthday at home, his 49th birthday. However a few weeks later he was ordered to be ready for sea on 19Dec and reported on board the steam sloop-of-war Ossipee, on 29Dec1883. On his first tour ofduty at that rank he would again serve as Executive Officer. Ossipee had probably been undergoing extensive renovations, and was recommissioned during January 1884. The ship departed Hampton Roads in April and sailed for Gibraltar and the Suez Canal en route to the Asiatic Station.
Naval records do not show where the ship visited, but a photo ofhim in uniform was taken at Nagasaki, Japan, and his obituary lists the Ossipee in Chemulpo, Corea (Korea?).29 This tour the longest time that Will was away from family, not returning until March 1887.
Shortly after Will left in 1884, his son Charlie married Carrie Murphy in May in Brooklyn. The families had known each other for many years. Although we can suppose Will liked his new daughter-in-law, he did not care for her father, and perhaps this is why they wed when Will was gone. 30
During his sea duty, Will's family is listed in the Kingston City Directory for 1885 at 87 Elmendorf Street, and in the Ulster County Directory also for 1885-86 at "Post Office" Woodland, while Charlie was also living in Kingston ........ (Information for these books was probably gathered at different times.) Will missed the birth ofhis first granddaughter Henrietta Miriam on 04Jan1887, born to Charlie and Carrie.
Upon his return, Will was once again detached and without orders from Marchl9th• Family stories say whenever he was a home, he ruled with an iron hand and that was always studying for the next rank. He reportedly said he was "aced" out by Annapolis graduates several times for advancement.
Several months later on August 31 st, Will reported to the newly-created Naval War College in Washington, DC possibly to teach, and where family stories (unproven) say he wrote several papers. Finishing up at the College just before Christmas, he spent a brief five
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days with his family before reporting to the N ew York Yard again for duty. As they were still living in Brooklyn at the time, he was probably able to spend much time with them, and also with Charlie and his young family, who presented him with a second granddaughter, Elizabeth Bogardus in May 1889. Evidently Will's family had once again moved to Brooklyn, as they are listed in the City Directory from 1889 through 1891, living with son William Day at 352A Hancock Street.
Detached from the Yard on 13Mar1890, a week later Will was assigned to oversee duties ofthe Receiving Ship St. Louis at Philadelphia untill0Mayl892. During that time, a copy ofa census affidavit shows that he was employed as an enumerator for the 1890 Federal census. (See Appendix)
By May 16th, Will arrived at Pensacola, Florida where he reported as Assistant Lighthouse Keener to the 7th Lighthouse District, and where he was appointed Inspector by May 31 st. Only a week later he sat for examinations for Commander for which he was commissioned on 01Ju11892. It appears that during this time, he wrote several monographs on modem lighthouse equipment. 31 He stayed at this inspector position until finally detached 1OOct 1896, having been away from home for the longest period ofhis career.
After nineteen years total sea service, nine and one half years "other duty" and four and one half years "unemployed" (presumably leave time), a memo was sent to the Retirement Board at Pensacola. It is not known whether William requested retirement or it was a Navygenerated document, but it was dated 01 Dec1894, during his 60th year ofage. In May of 1895 a note in Records ofOfficers shows that duty was to continue.
It is does not appear as ifWill was able to get leave to go back to Brooklyn for his mother's death in September ofthat year. She died at the home ofhis sister Fannie, with whom she had been living for several years.
On 07Nov 1896 William Bogert Newman was finally "detached, at home to settle accounts, and without orders." He was finally transferred to the Retired List! In mid 1898 he became a member ofthe G.C.M. ofNew York, perhaps an organization for retired Naval officers who earned the Navy Good Conduct Medal. (See Appendix)
His final service numbers were 12 years, 9 months total service, 11 years 6 months other duty, and 4 years 6 months unemployed. In 1868, when he entered the ''Volunteer Navy," records show he had served an additional 6 years 3 months prior active duty to that date. This
13
totals up to exactly 35 years (and 2 days) from the date he enlisted in the navy during the Civil War.
Not much is known ofhis activities after official retirement, but he probably kept quite active with his family. By 1904, Charlie and Carrie had given Will and Lizzie seven grandchildren. Son Leslie (Les) was also married in 1904.
By 1905, Will and Lizzie had moved to 21 Meyer Street, Hackensack, (Bergen) NJ, where son Howard owned property and perhaps urged them to move there. They continued to spend summers at Woodland with the fan1ily with the fresh air, good fishing and a place to relax.
While still on the retired list, he was advanced to the grade ofCaptain from 29Jun1906, and commissioned on the retired list with that rank as of 13Apr1911. He would presumably have been granted an increased in his pension benefits, and this was shown to be retroactive to 1906. His pension evidently came from a fund to which he had been contributing for many years. A receipt to the "New York Branch, V.S.N.A., Dr" dated September 1871 states the dues were $1.00 per year. (See Appendix)
Will's meticulously kept personal account book covering the years 1905 to 1911 reveals many interesting things about the Newman household including the usual expenses -mortgage or rent $30 per month; utility costs, groceries costing an average of$30 per month for a family that often had many guests. Other items include $3 quarterly to the W.C. & F.P. (Presbyterian?) church; $24 each six months to the Navy Mutual Aid Fund and a clothing and sundries bill monthly from John Wanamaker Department Store for $20-$30. At three to four month intervals, railroad tickets were purchased to get back and forth between Hackensack and Brooklyn to see family members.
The only income for this time appears to be from a Naval pension ranging from $218 per month in 1905, to $281 in 1907, and $312 in 1909, at to~al increase ofabout 30 percent. The additional income also meant he was able to put a little extra money aside, from $400 in 1908 to $800 by 1910.
The Federal Census for New Barbados Township, Hackensack, Bergen, NJ on April 23rd, 1910 that Will and Lizzie were listed as heads ofhousehold including daughter Fannie, sons Will and Howard and Howard's family. It seems logical that Will and Lizzie had company when the enumerator paid his visit -it would have been Howard's 34th birthday.
14
.----, The entries in Will's book after 1910 were in poorer handwriting, possibly indicating signs ofold age (he was almost 76) or illness; medicine and doctor bills also appeared for the frrst time. His wife Carrie was also in poorer health. Costs oflaundry and washing increased about 50 percent during this time. Although ailing, they still managed to travel to Woodland for a visit during 1911 when a photo shows them on the porch ofa house built by son Howard. William was unable to finish his account book for October and November ofthat year. Back in Hackensack for the winter months, Lizzie died ofheart disease on June 30th after a prolonged illness. Her death as a great loss to Will, and he went to stay with family in Woodland for the summer, where he died five short weeks later on 06Aug, 1912 at age 77 years, 9 months. Family members say he died partly ofa broken heart. His body was brought to Kingston from Phoenicia on the Ulster and Delaware Railroad. He was laid to rest beside his beloved Lizzie in Wiltwyck Cemetery with full military honors. Granddaughter Bert, aged 8, remembered hearing the sound ofcannons at the service.
One obituary in the Hackensack paper was very flattering: he ''was a courteous, dignified gentleman ofthe old schoo~ who made a model husband and devoted father. He was admired by all who had the privilege ofmeeting." This account appears to be accurate, and is truly unusual for a person being separated from his family for such long periods oftime. Nothing was known ofhis formal education, but his letters bespeak ofa talented way with words which impart much meaning to all he wrote.
15
NOTES In citing works in these notes, shortened titles are used. Abbreviations have been used for the following frequently cited works:
Battles, 1
Battles and Leaders ofthe Civil War: The Opening Battles, Vol. 1.
Battles,2
Battles and Leaders ofthe Civil War: The Struggle Intensifies, Vol. 2.
Danfs:
Dictionary ofDictionary ofAmerican Naval Fighting Ships
Fourteenth
History ofFighting Fourteenth: 1861-1911.
ON0
Official N av(il Orders
ONR
Official Records ofthe Union and Confederate Navies in the War ofthe
Rebellion. Series 1 -Vol. 1-27, series 2 -Vol. 13, 1892-1922.
RG-14
"Records ofOfficers M-330" re: William B. Newman. Records ofthe Bureau of
Naval Personnel, File Record Group 24.
War,l-
War ofthe Rebellion: A Compilation ofthe Official Records ofthe Union and
Confederate Armies. Series1, Vols. 2,33, 1891.
War, 2-War ofthe Rebellion: A Compilation ofthe Official Records ofthe Union and Confederate Armies. Series 2, Vols. 2, 8, 1899.
16
1 Fourteenth, 324, lists Will's age as 35 years, and that he had enlisted for three years. 2 For a more complete description ofthe uniform, see Fighting Fourteenth, 60, and sketch in Appendix. Battles, 1:167. Many other units also wore the Zouave style uniforms. 3 Fourteenth, 22-26: Battles, 1 :171. 4 Battles, 1 :171. Lincoln reviewed several encampments including the 14th. Washington Star, 30 May 1861, reported in www.lincolnlog.org. 5 War, 1-2:383. For details ofthe battle see also letters from field officers on pages War, 1-2: 382-387. 6 Fourteenth, 28. 7 War, 1-2:384. 8 Fourteenth, 26, lists casualties from this incident are 2 officers and 21 men killed, 64 wounded, 10 taken prisoner, and 10 others who died oftheir wounds. However, War,I-2:405 states a casualty report for the Third Division Army, Union ofNortheastern Virginia, for 21Ju11861,for the Fourteenth New York, lists 23 killed, 48 wounded, and 71 missing. 9 Battles, 1: 189-192. 10 Fourteenth, 28. A family story says he did not care for the engineers either. In one of his obituaries, it stated that the government was slow to recognize the worth ofthe Engineer Corps and "assisting" them to duty, and he returned to Brooklyn at the end of his term. Kingston Freeman, 12Aug1912. 11 William Day Newman served in the United States Navy from 1814 until his death at sea in 1844. 12 Many dates and activities were taken from "Records of Officers" which were copies ofofficers' activities taken from a variety ofofficial sources and compiled into one central source, and this list may or may not be complete. Read an example in the Appendix. 13 Official Naval orders in possession ofother family members. David Porter, Naval History (New York: Sherman Publishing, 1886),429,491, lists other Acting Masters on the Brandywine as A. B. Mulford, G. W. Hyde, H.F.D. Robinson, William H. Hubbs. The other Acting Master on the Southfield was W.F. Pratt; Acting Engineer was T.B. Stokes. 14 Civil War Naval Chronology, Part IV, Part 4 -1864. (Office ofthe Chief ofNaval Operations, Washington,: US Government Printing Office, n.d.), 26-28,44, War, 1-33:278-307, and William Still, Iron Afloat. (Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University Press, 1971), 158-160.See map in Appendix for exact location of actions. 15 Jones, Virgil. Civil War at Sea. (New York: Holt, Rinehart, Winston, 1960), 155. An obituary said that Newman had been acting as Executive Officer at that time. "Obituary: Captain William B. Newman" Fred Mallison, Civil War on the Outer Banks. (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 1998), 143144, stated that several small boats accompanied the ram to assist in getting her around the river obstructions. 16 Letter from former shipmate A. B. Bradley. See also reports in Civil War Naval Chronology, 45; Dictionary ofAmerican Naval Fighting Ships; New York Times article, Apri124, 1864; Iron Afloat, 161; another report in War 1 :279 said the ship sunk in only 5 minutes. 17 Robert Kellogg, Life and Death in Rebel Prisons. (Hartford, CT.: L. Stebbins, 1865), 33-53.
See details ofthis trek in Appendix.
18 Letters in possession of author. Written in pencil on one side ofa piece ofpaper, they all contain a
censor's stamp in the upper right comer. Newman's letters got through, but any response from his wife,
possibly with foodstuffs and clothing, was most likely confiscated by Confederates who were also
destitute.
19 It is believed that some of his wife's family (Bogardus) had political pull and Newman thought maybe
they could help get him exchanged.
20 "Destruction ofthe Gunboat Southfield." New York Times, April 24, 1864. page 1, col. I.
21 War 1 :300.
17
22 "Roster ofthe USS Southfield." Civil War Plymouth Pilgrims Descendants Society.
23 RG-24; Newman's personal recollections in Appendix; Danfs: Wachusett.
24 RG-14.
25 See background ofthis practice in Appendix. See photo ofNewman in Appendix.
26 Newman not listed on roster for Constellation, but might have gone as a passenger, on special
mission. Neither family stories or naval records state what his activities were, or how he came home.
The day he was detached, the Constellation was in Le Harve, France. Possibly he was on detached or
fact-finding duty for the Navy Department.
27 Family Bible did not list a location.
280NO. There appears to be a gap in the Yantic's records for late 1880. Danfs: yl/yantic.
29 In 1860, Russia occupied Vladivostok and threatened to move south in search of ports navigable yeararound.
In April 1885, the British Pacific Fleet landed marines and occupied Kuh-mun-do, a Korean
island in the South Chulla Province, in the pretext of stopping the Russian expansion in to the Pacific.
The British hoisted the Union Jack on a Korean island. The British navy left the island in February 1887
under an intense international pressure. Known as treaty town since 1883. See a photo ifLt. Newman
taken at Chempulo in Appendix. Photo is owned by Robert Krause
30 Since before the Civil War, Carrie's father Augustus Murphy had served as a harbor pilot in the New
York area, and remained in that capacity during the war. According to family stories, Will thought Gus
a coward because he did not join the Navy and "take to the seas like a man." Another oft repeated story
concerned the fact that they would cross the street so as not to meet each other on the same side.
31 Kingston Herald, undated obituary "Capt. Newman Dead in Woodland."
18
Dec1864 /' Boston Yard aboard the sloop Wachusett~ar1865-Jan1867 Sailed for the China Station
11 Mar1868 12Mar 1868 03Jun1868 13Jan1869 Mar to May 1869 May1869
"service j'n volunteer Navy,"
Commissioned Ensign
Assigned New York Yard
/Commissioned Master
l/USS Gelena, Kittery ME to Norfolk, VA
v,/~S. New,Hampshire, Norfolk, VA
Aug1869-Mar1870 t.,/K.S Vermont, New York Apr 1870-Aug 1871 ~mtug Pilgrim-with North American Fleet
Key
25Apr 1870 Aug 1871 Jan 1872-Jan1874 Aug1874 Aug1874-Ju11876 Ju11876-May1877 Mar1877-Ju11878 1878 Feb1879-Sep1880 West, Sanibel Island
Commissioned Lieutenant
vk,s. Vermont, New York t/jJSS Wasp on Brazil Station V"tlss Roanoke, "in ordinary" at New Haven CT
~ningship USS Minnesota
New York Yard
USS Constellation, en route to Europe
. N~YorkYard
CR..S. New HampshireSep1880-Apr1881
USS Yantic, executive officer
Jan1881-Apr1881 Aug1881-Feb1883 02Jun1882 Dec1883-Mar 1887 Aug1887-Dec1887 Dec1887 -Mar1890
jn hospital," Norfolk VA, and New York Yard
l/tJSS Lancast~ron Mediterranean ~tation commissioned Lt Commander ' [JJSs Ossipee, Far East station Naval War College, Washington, DC t¥w York Navy Y.ard
Mar 1890-May 1892oR.S. St Louis, .
May 1892
Inspector of Light House District, Pensacola, FL
01Jul1892
Promoted to Commander
140ct1896
Transferred to the retirement list
20Dec1906
Advanced to rank of Captain, retroactive to
29Jun1906
13Apr1911
Commissioned on Retired List with rank of
Captain

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