In the spring of 1861, New York’s Hudson Valley was awash with patriotic fervor as young men rushed to respond to President Lincoln’s request for 75,000 troops to put down the rebellion. Nowhere was this patriotic spirit more alive than in the volunteer firemen of the City of Poughkeepsie. The first months of the war found more than 100 of them enlisting from Poughkeepsie’s eight fire companies. Typical of the spirit of the times are the minutes of the May 6, 1861 meeting of Protection Engine Co. #1:

“Roll called and 11 of the members present (those being 13) volunteered their services to the United States…Protection sends along the Union Boys. There is a few left of the Same Block. Ready and willing.”¹ 

These early volunteers quickly realized that it would be some time before a local regiment could be raised and equipped. Eager to volunteer their services, most traveled to Albany or New York City to enlist. Poughkeepsie firemen formed the nucleus of Company E, 30^th New York Volunteers, and more than a dozen enlisted in the 5^th New York Volunteers (more commonly known as  Duryee’s Zouaves). Altogether Poughkeepsie firemen enlisted in more than a dozen different regiments in the first year of the war.  

It was evident that the firemen would make excellent soldiers and they were eagerly sought by recruiters. They were in good physical condition, had a strong desire to serve their communities, were accustomed to facing danger and had experience taking orders and working together as a  unit. Many more Poughkeepsie firemen enlisted in regiments recruited locally during summer of 1862.  

By the spring of 1863 many of the firemen had returned home following the expiration of their two year enlistments. Following a hero’s welcome these veterans quietly returned to civilian pursuits. The war, however, was far from over, and that summer Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Confederate army crossed the Potomac and advanced into Pennsylvania. The invasion crisis saw the 21^st New York State Militia, Dutchess County’s only organized military force, called into service to help stem the invasion. The departure of the 21^st N.Y.S.M. left Poughkeepsie and the surrounding towns defenseless in the event of a local crisis.  

On July 13, 1863 rioting in opposition to the draft broke out in New York City. The riots quickly spread to other cities including Buffalo, Troy and nearby Newburgh. Telegraph and rail service to New York was disrupted and near panic gripped the residents of Poughkeepsie. Adding to their distress, a party of approximately forty soldiers who were returning to the front were stranded in the city. They proceeded to go on a rampage, looting several stores and firing indiscriminately into occupied buildings. Local newspaper editor and Provost Marshal Isaac Platt appealed to the returned veterans residing in Poughkeepsie to form Home Guard companies in order to protect the city from mob violence. The following day Platt was pleased to announce that:

“ no fears need be entertained as ample preparations have been made to crush promptly any violent action. Meetings were held last night and several companies formed of resolute men, who are ready to assemble at a moments warning. If their services are needed they will not fire blank cartridges.”²  

    Four Home Guard companies were quickly formed, the officers “nearly all adapted for their positions, they having been in actual service during the rebellion.”³ Mayor George Innis urgently requested artillery from the governor to protect the city and received a brass six pounder howitzer and 14 rounds of canister. An artillery company was quickly formed to man the piece while a cavalry company was also organized. ⁴  

    On July 16^th, Edward W. Shurter, foreman of Phoenix Hose Company #1, called an emergency meeting at the company’s carriage house for the purpose of raising a company of firemen to supplement the Home Guard. The following night his brother, Charles H. Shurter, foreman of O.H. Booth Hose Company #2, called a similar meeting at the Firemen’s Hall. The new organization was christened the United Hose Volunteers and consisted of members of Phoenix and O.H.Booth Hose Companies. James W. Shurter, brother of the two foremen, was chosen as Captain and Joseph Tyndell as Orderly Sergeant.⁵ Shurter and Tyndell, both members of Phoenix Hose, had served together in Company D of Duryee’s Zouaves. James Shurter had served as First Sergeant and had been wounded in the right wrist at the Battle of Gaine’s Mill. The disabling wound had resulted in his discharge in September of 1862. Despite his wound his friend Tyndell referred to him as “a plucky fellow”.⁶  

    Joseph Tyndell was an Irish-born woodcarver and father of five children when he enlisted in 1861. Tyndell was complimented as "a brave and efficient soldier" by one of the regiment’s officers. ⁷ At the Battle of 2^nd Manasses, Tyndell, whose regiment had been overrun by a Confederate division, fought hand-to-hand with the Confederates until being shot through the right shoulder and knee.⁸ After several months convalescence he returned to the regiment and served until he was mustered out in May of 1863.  

    The other officers included 1^st Lieutenant Garret Lansing, a local baseball player who later received a lieutenant’s commission in the 13^th New York Cavalry, and 2^nd Lieutenant Owen Leak. Sergeants included Nelson Pardee, who had served as a Corporal in Company D, 53^rd New York Volunteers, W.M. Barnes and T.J. Decker. Edward Shurter served as President and Charles Shurter as Secretary.⁹  

    On the evening of July 20^th the United Hose Volunteers held their first drill session behind closed doors. They were described as “a fine body of men” and it was rumored that they would adopt zouave uniforms.¹⁰ The uniforms they eventually wore were much closer to the traditional fireman’s uniform and were described as “red shirts, black pants, belt, cartridge box and glazed cap”.¹¹ The glazed caps were probably those ordered by Phoenix Hose from John Freer and described as “glazed fatigue caps of Navy style” with “gilt buttons and black straps bordered with gold”.¹²  

    The company drilled relentlessly through the summer and early fall. They met at City Hall and drilled well into the night. Each evening the various Home Guard companies paraded through the principal streets of Poughkeepsie. Upon witnessing the United Hose Volunteers’ first public parade, Isaac Platt remarked :

“the United Hose Volunteers made a splendid appearance. They showed themselves to be well drilled in marching, and with a little more practice will be able to handle a musket with ease. This is owing to their excellent drill master Capt. J.W. Shurter.” ¹³  

    Provost Marshal Platt suggested that the firemen formerly join as one of the companies of the Home Guard. Although Edmund Platt’s History of Poughkeepsie counts them among the Home Guard, it appears that the United Hose Volunteers remained an independent organization throughout their existence. Perhaps the firemen hoped to remain above the partisan politics that surrounded the formation of the Home Guard. Some of Poughkeepsie’s Democrats had already begun referring to the Home Guard derisively as “Platt’s Bodyguard”. The United Hose Volunteers remained above the political squabbling and proved to be a model of  bipartisanship with Charles Shurter described as voting “the straight Democratic ticket” while his brother Edward was employed at Platt’s Republican newspaper the Daily Eagle.¹⁴  

    The day of the draft arrived in Poughkeepsie on September 7, 1863 with a raucous crowd assembling at City Hall to witness the names drawn from a large drum. The crowd broke into a loud cheer when the names of two clerks from the Provost Marshal’s office were drawn. Altogether the names of 410 men were chosen in order to meet Poughkeepsie’s draft quota. Following the draft the luckless draftees were hustled off to the nearest drinking establishment to be toasted by their more fortunate friends. That evening the draftees were paraded through the streets of Poughkeepsie while in nearby Hyde Park a ball was held in their honor. One 300 pound draftee named “Little” Tom Hodge was presented with a six foot wooden sword by his coworkers which he wielded as he strode down Main Street, loudly proclaiming his intention to single-handedly vanquish the rebels. The draft in Poughkeepsie had passed without violence, the only disturbances being a few noisy drunks who disrupted the slumber of Poughkeepsie’s peaceful citizens.  

    The firemen found themselves well represented in the draft; 14 members of Phoenix Hose were chosen while 6 names from O.H.Booth were drawn. All of these firemen were members of the United Hose Volunteers.  The draft fell particularly hard on the Shurter family, four of the brothers, Charles, Edward, James and Daniel, were selected. In fact the only Shurter sibling not selected, Robert, was currently serving with Company G of the 71st New York Volunteers. ¹⁵  

    The draft had been a sore subject among the firemen, most of whom felt that they should be exempted due to their roles as protectors of the community. The Poughkeepsie Daily Press addressed the subject in the weeks prior to the draft:

“We trust that our Common Council will lose no time in providing payment of the exemption money for such members of the Fire Department as may be drafted. The firemen are already in the public service - a service sufficiently onerous without imposing another - and to take them away would endanger the property of all our citizens.” ¹⁶  

    The members of Phoenix Hose, upon learning that their foreman, Edward Shurter, had been drafted, raised much of the money towards his commutation fee. James Shurter received an exemption due to his war wounds.  

    With the threat of draft violence passed, the United Hose Volunteers began looking forward to more pleasant pursuits. The Volunteers planned to attend a target shoot in the Village of Peekskill. Prizes ranging from a silver watch to a box of cigars were offered. The target at which they would be shooting was described by the Eagle as the “neatest thing of the kind we ever saw”. ¹⁷  

    At seven o’clock on the morning of October 12^th Capt. Shurter marched the 53 members of the United Hose Volunteers down to the river and boarded the steamer Mary Powell. They were accompanied by the Poughkeepsie Coronet Band and Captain Thomas Alexander of the 20^th N.Y.S.M. who contributed $5 toward the prizes. 

    The company arrived at Peekskill at nine thirty and were met by their hosts, Engine Company #1, and escorted to the Engine House where a reception awaited them.  Following an exchange of greetings and a hearty breakfast they paraded through the village and out to the target grounds. The Poughkeepsians soon shredded the targets, proving their proficiency in marksmanship as well as drill. The Peekskill Democrat commented:

“The superior order, system and ease of maneuvering of the United Hose Volunteers was the subject of general remark and praise. While we are willing to stake Peekskill on the muscle and machines of our firemen, we shall have to give Poughkeepsie Firemen the credit of a military bearing superior to our own boys.”¹⁸ 

    Following the target shoot the participants and their hosts sat down to a sumptuous dinner at the Exchange Hotel. After dinner they “passed the afternoon in enjoying the hospitalities of the citizens of Peekskill, and basking in the sunshine of the smiles of the beautiful ladies of the village”. 

    As evening arrived they bid farewell to their new friends and boarded the Mary Powell for the trip back up the river. Upon arriving in Poughkeepsie they were met by Capt. R.R. Hayman  and Company A of the 21^st N.Y.S.M. and were escorted to the Forbus House, where a bountiful supper awaited them. The members of the United Hose Volunteers vowed that the excursion would “ever be considered a pleasing feature in the lives of all who participated in it.” ¹⁹ 

    The threat of mob violence in Poughkeepsie, undoubtedly suppressed by the presence of the Home Guard and United Hose Volunteers, had passed. Most draftees paid the commutation fee, provided a substitute or found grounds for exemption. Company G of the 5^th Wisconsin Volunteers arrived and was  stationed in the city as Provost Guard. Meanwhile the 21^st N.Y.S.M. had returned from their brief stint of active service. Poughkeepsie was secure and the city’s firefighters had once again played an important role in insuring the safety of its citizens. The Daily Press paid the highest compliment to the United Hose Volunteers:

“For looks, discipline, or soldierly bearing, we are of the opinion the United Hose Volunteers are equal, if not superior, to any military company that ever paraded our streets.” ²⁰             

    The United Hose Volunteers remained in existence for at least a decade following the Civil War, serving as a color guard and drill team and touring many of the surrounding communities. While they never had to defend Poughkeepsie with rifles and bayonets, they continued to defend the city with hoses and ladders. 

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Notes. 

1.       “Minutes of Protection Engine Company”, Local History Collection, Adriance Memorial Library, Poughkeepsie, NY

2.       Poughkeepsie Daily Eagle, 15 July 1863

3.       Ibid. , 29 July 1863

4.       Edmund Platt, History of Poughkeepsie (Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County Historical Society, 1987), 186

5.       Eagle, 18 July 1863

6.       National Archives, Record Group 15, Records of Veteran’s Administration, Pension Files.

7.       Ibid., Lt. Col. George Duryea

8.       Alfred Davenport, Camp and Field Life of the Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry (New York, Dick and Fitzgerald, 1879), 302 “Joseph H. Tyndall, of Company D, finding himself surrounded by the enemy and unable to escape, threw down his rifle at the feet of a Confederate, who was charging upon him with bayonet, in token of submission. The latter, however, contrary to the rules of civilized warfare and the common instincts of humanity, was about to run him through, when Tyndall by a quick movement eluded the thrust, seized the weapon, and by a powerful movement wrenched it from his grasp, amid the jeers and gibes of the Confederate’s companions.”

9.       Eagle, 18 July 1863

10.    Ibid. 21 July 1863

11.    Ibid. 9 October 1863

12.    “Minutes of Phoenix Hose Company”, Local History Collection, Adriance Memorial Library, Poughkeepsie, NY, 5 May 1863

13.    Eagle, 30 July 1863

14.    H. Beers & Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Dutchess County, New York (Chicago,Beers & Co.,1897),476

15.    Eagle, 8 September 1863

16.    Poughkeepsie Daily Press, 20 August 1863

17.    Eagle, 12 October 1863

18.    Peekskill Democrat, 14 October 1863

19.    Press, 13 October 1863

20.    Ibid. 12 October 1863