William Hasbrouck 1852-1926
Born in Middletown, William Hasbrouck was an African American soldier in the Union Army. He was eleven or twelve years old when he was conscripted into the army by a bounty broker who was paid to enlist men so as to avoid drafting wealthy and/or influential men who wanted to avoid the draft. This young boy and his parents were obviously not in agreement or perhaps not even aware that he had been sent to Rikers Island with the 26th United States Colored Troop to be mustered out to war on Easter Sunday, March 27, 1864. The regiment was led by Colonel William Silliman who was born and raised in Cornwall N.Y. The son of an abolitionist preacher, he was passionate of the abolitionist cause. Silliman graduated from Albany Law School before fighting at Gettysburg and other important battles with the Orange Blossoms. He then lead the 26th regiment and was killed in battle while leading his men at Tulifinny Station, December 9th, 1864. The farewell speech to the the 26th regiment was given by John Jay III , grandson to founding father and first chief justice of the same name. The Jay family are known to be some of the most influential abolitionists this country has known. Young William Hasbrouck became a drummer boy in the Army. His drum sticks and a pistol he acquired through unofficial means are still in the possession of family members. His regiment fought gallantly at Honey Hill, John’s Island, and Tulifinny. Unfortunately, all three battles were considered Union Losses tactically but the regiment only sustained a total of 140 casualties throughout the war. Young William came back home in August 1865 to live out the rest of his long life in Middletown. William Hasbrouck has many descendants, several of whom live in Middletown to this day.
Born in Middletown, William Hasbrouck was an African American soldier in the Union Army. He was eleven or twelve years old when he was conscripted into the army by a bounty broker who was paid to enlist men so as to avoid drafting wealthy and/or influential men who wanted to avoid the draft. This young boy and his parents were obviously not in agreement or perhaps not even aware that he had been sent to Rikers Island with the 26th United States Colored Troop to be mustered out to war on Easter Sunday, March 27, 1864. The regiment was led by Colonel William Silliman who was born and raised in Cornwall N.Y. The son of an abolitionist preacher, he was passionate of the abolitionist cause. Silliman graduated from Albany Law School before fighting at Gettysburg and other important battles with the Orange Blossoms. He then lead the 26th regiment and was killed in battle while leading his men at Tulifinny Station, December 9th, 1864. The farewell speech to the the 26th regiment was given by John Jay III , grandson to founding father and first chief justice of the same name. The Jay family are known to be some of the most influential abolitionists this country has known. Young William Hasbrouck became a drummer boy in the Army. His drum sticks and a pistol he acquired through unofficial means are still in the possession of family members. His regiment fought gallantly at Honey Hill, John’s Island, and Tulifinny. Unfortunately, all three battles were considered Union Losses tactically but the regiment only sustained a total of 140 casualties throughout the war. Young William came back home in August 1865 to live out the rest of his long life in Middletown. William Hasbrouck has many descendants, several of whom live in Middletown to this day.