All eyes on Utica: Why large number of veterans gathered in NY city 148 years ago

Frank Tomaino
·6 min read

1875, 148 years ago

Quite a gathering

What a guest list! President Ulysses S. Grant is on it. So is Vice President Henry Wilson; Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Morrison R. Waite, New York Gov. Samuel J. Tilden; Civil War generals William Tecumseh Sherman, Joe Hooker, Henry Slocum, William Rosecrans and Utica native Daniel Butterfield; most members of Grant's cabinet, and mayors and other elected officials from across the Northeast.

They all are in Utica and it is one of the largest gatherings of national and state officials ever assembled in one place outside of Washington, D.C.

They arrive on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 1875, for the ninth annual reunion of the Army of the Cumberland. Its members are veterans of the Tennessee campaigns during the recent Civil War who fought in such battles as Shiloh, Pittsburgh Landing, Lookout Mountain, Chickamauga and Chattanooga.

This scene shows historic Rutger Park in the early 20th century from its west end. The Italian Villa building on the right—1 Rutger Park—was built in about 1852 by Mary Jane Munn and her husband John. It is now owned by the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica.
This scene shows historic Rutger Park in the early 20th century from its west end. The Italian Villa building on the right—1 Rutger Park—was built in about 1852 by Mary Jane Munn and her husband John. It is now owned by the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica.

Very few men from Oneida and Herkimer counties took part in the Tennessee campaigns, but Utica was chosen for the three-day reunion. It is the first time that it is being held in a city in the Northeast. Utica's U.S. Sen. Roscoe Conkling had suggested Utica as the reunion site to President Grant, his close friend. Grant agreed.

The guests are greeted in a Utica all dressed up for the occasion — stores, buildings, homes and streets all decked out in flags, bunting and Chinese lanterns. Reunion headquarters is in Bagg's Hotel and formal gatherings are in the Opera House, on the northeast corner of Lafayette and Washington streets. Utica Mayor Charles W. Hutchinson gives the welcoming address and among other speakers are Conkling and Horatio Seymour. Democrat Seymour, former Utica mayor and governor of New York during the Civil War, ran unsuccessfully against Republican Grant in the presidential election of 1868. Now, on the stage of the Opera House, the two men hug each other and exchange pleasantries.

While in Utica, Grant and his wife, Julia, are staying in Conkling's mansion at 3 Rutger Park. (The building, one of the most historic in Central New York, still stands and is maintained by the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica.)

More: Labor Day throughout Mohawk Valley history: How the area celebrated

1923, 100 years ago

Violin teacher

Fred Heim, the young Utican who has gained national fame as a violinist, is appointed head teacher of violin at Drury College in Missouri.

1948, 75 years ago

Church clambake

Utica's St. Basil's Melkite Catholic Church has its annual clambake at the Old Spain Hotel Grove in Willowvale. Those in charge of the event include Edward Chanatry, Joseph Kakaty, Norman Stamboly, Joseph Kassouf, Louis Jweid, Edward Ajaeb, Joseph Makames and the Rev. Julian Elaine (pastor).

1973, 25 years ago

School enrollment

The Westmoreland Central School District has a total enrollment of of 1,703 students for the upcoming school year, two more than last year. There are 792 in high school and 911 in elementary grades.

Wendy Benton, of Sauquoit, wins top honors with her palomino "Whata Wapsie" at the 25th annual horse show sponsored by the Mohawk Valley Hunt Club.

The VFW team wins the Whitestown Babe Ruth championship. Players include Mark Frye, John Wadach, Tom Harden, Doug DeLett, Michael O'Grady, Ken Bodich, Paul Engelhart, Steve Clark, Gregg Diefenbacher, Ken Clark, Tom Shaw and Mike Boccardo. They are managed by Doug DeLett and coached by Ted Wadach.

More: These were the most popular dog names 100 years ago: Mohawk Valley history

1998, 25 years ago

She's a first

Susan Secor, of Remsen, is elected president of the Adirondack Foothills Rotary Club in Barneveld, the first woman to hold the post since the club was chartered in 1976. Other officers include: Daniel Forcey, vice president, and Dale Hansen, treasurer.

The Stanley Performing Arts Center celebrates its 70th anniversary by showing the movie, "An Affair to Remember," starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. The entertainment includes the appearance on stage of Nick Clooney, host of television's American Classic Movies. He is the father of actor George Clooney and the brother of singer Rosemary Clooney.

In high school football, Waterville defeats Mt. Markham, 36 to 20. Jeremiah Johnson rushes for 146 yards on 13 carries for the winners. He scores a touchdown on a 35-yard run. Kyle Maine has two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Camden beats Carthage, 6 to 0, when Jake Hill scores on a two-yard run. Anthony Gonzalez rushes for 106 yards on 22 carries and the winners are led by the outstanding defensive play of Scott Edkin, Jason Bowman and Andy Kimball.

2013, 10 years ago

Zogby named

Utica native James Zogby is named by President Barack Obama to serve on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. The commission reviews religious freedom violations and makes policy recommendations to the president, secretary of state and Congress.

Zogby, brother of Utica pollster John Zogby, founded and became president of the Arab American Institute in Washington, D.C. in 1985. He graduated from Utica's Notre Dame High School in 1963 and earned a bachelor's degree at LeMoyne College and a doctorate in comparative religions at Temple University. He says, "Knowing the Middle East as I do, I can make the commission aware of the region's more vulnerable religious communities as well as the political dynamics of the countries the commission will discuss."

Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri places a wreath at the 9/11 Memorial on the Memorial Parkway in a ceremony that remembers the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. The names of the New York City firefighters and police officers who died in the attack are read.

In high school football, Jerome Brabham catches a 16-yard pass from Kevin Warmack with one second remaining to give Notre Dame a 27-23 win over Holland Patent. The winners get outstanding play from Vinny LoConti, Alex Kondzielawa, Joe Sullivan and Brandon Muha. Holland Patent is led by Mark Grogan (two touchdowns), Cody Bliss, Jared Fisher and Kinsey Williams.

Trivia quiz

The U.S. president with the most children was John Tyler, a member of the Whig Party. He had 15. Of all our Republican presidents, who had the greatest number of children? (a) Abraham Lincoln, (b) Rutherford B. Hayes, (c) Warren G. Harding or (d) Ronald Reagan. (Answer will appear here next week.)

Answer to last week's question: On August 4, 1942, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt became a godfather at the christening of Prince George of Kent, son of the Duke of Kent who is the youngest brother of King George VI of Great Britain. The duke served as proxy for Roosevelt at the ceremony.

This Week in History is researched and written by Frank Tomaino. E-mail him at ftomaino221@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Mohawk Valley history: Why Civil War veterans gathered in Utica