Editor’s Note: In conjunction with the Chenango County Civil War Commemoration Project Team, The Evening Sun will present a monthly series chronicling items of local interest during the war between the states, compiled and written by a number of local history enthusiasts.
By Rose Wellman
Sherburne Historian
This is the story of a Civil War soldier from Sherburne, who was killed at the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19th, 1864. It is similar to others who were killed in the war, but the circumstances which occurred after his death make it a one-of-a-kind story. The soldier was Sergeant William Wesley Wakeley, son of Samuel and Phidelia Wakeley, born in Hamilton on November 15, 1837. He was a mechanic before he enlisted on August 2, 1862 in Co F, 114th NYV. He was called by either of his given names William or Wesley
Years later his great, great- nephew, Kip Yerton, became interested in the story of his Civil War relative and began research for a book. Sadly, Kip passed away before he finished the story. I found out who had Kip’s papers and I asked for a copy. I have edited it in length and context for this article; otherwise these are Kip’s own words.
THE HOLE IN THE BIBLE – PART II
It was thought by members of the Grand Army that the bullet that passed through the bible caused William’s death. I will not know what happened until I find Pickney Brown’s name on the Confederate list of soldiers and know if, indeed, he was at the Battle of Cedar Creek as many of the North Carolina troops were; or was he on the burial detail?
NOW FOR SOME SPECULATION
It is believed that the bible was either given or sent to William by a woman living in his hometown of Sherburne, New York. Her name was Elisa R. Hatch, daughter of Joel Hatch, Jr., who wrote the History of Sherburne and they were neighbors to the Bassett’s. Could this have been his girlfriend? He was not married at the age of 26. The bible states his name and regiment, the 114th Company F, N.Y.V.
Lieut. Col. Rexford and Homer G. Newton, both of Sherburne, were stationed nearby with the 131st NYV and they occasionally rode over to visit the boys in the 114th. Newton was an Assistant Surgeon during the Civil War. Newton often visited with Wesley in particular.
More facts come again from the October 15 and 22, 1914 issue of the Sherburne News with items written by Homer G. Newton, which give some clarification to Eliza.
In the Oct. 15, 1914 SHERBURNE NEWS a letter was published from H.G. Newton, which reads: “I was greatly interested in the article in your issue of last week, for reasons which will appear as I write; as the battle of Cedar Creek occurred just fifty years ago next Monday, October 19th; this is one of the strange coincidences, which we look upon with wonder.
“I wish the News might find its way to William’s old friend, Miss Eliza Hatch, who with her brother, Bethuel, went to the State of Washington, many years ago. Many Sherburne people remember Eliza, who was the daughter of that Joel Hatch, Jr. who wrote the “History of Sherburn” (and the ‘e’ was left off the cover of the original copy!) Eliza was the granddaughter of the first Joel Hatch who was a picturesque and shrewd member of the Sherburne Colony and was one of the committee sent to select the location in the southwest quarter of the now town of Sherburne.
“As a young man William was a capable caretaker at W.F. Blanchard’s home and considered a member of his family. He was a neighbor of the Hatches. My own acquaintance with him was from 1859 to 1862, when he enlisted in the 114thRegiment, Company F. I did not meet him again till early in July 1864 when the regiment I was in—the 181st N.Y. Volunteers—was sent back to a camp on the Mississippi River, where I met the Sherburne boys.
