Chauncey Fish (1828)

Born 22 Jan 1828 in Williamson, Wayne, New York, United States

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Biography

Bvt. Maj. Chauncey Fish served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: Aug 1, 1862
Mustered out: Jul 6, 1865
Side: USA
Regiment(s): 138th New York Volunteer Infantry, 9th New York Heavy Artillery

Fish, Chauncey, 39; Aug. 1, '62, Williamson; Sept. 9; 1st Sergt.; promoted 2d Lieut.

Chauncey Fish, from 1st Sergt., Feb. 6, '64; promoted 1st Lieut.

Chauncey Fish, from 2d Lieut., Sept. 12, '64; wd. Sept. 19, '64, Winchester, and Oct. 19, '64, Cedar Creek; promoted Capt.

Chauncey Fish, from 1st Lieut. Nov. 28, '64; M. O., July 6, '65; Brevet Major U. S. Vols.

Pvt. Roe writes a bio in his book:

He is entitled to the rank of major, but somehow to a great many, it comes more natural to call him "captain," just a little nearer, for a captain is in close contact with those who follow, and when we look at the origin of the word, what is there higher than the head? and that is what the word comes from.

Of Massachusetts stock, Chauncey Fish has in his own life and in that of his sons fully exemplified the merits of his ancestors, who repeatedly stood for what they deemed their rights. His parents. Thomas and Sarah (Gallop) Fish, settled in Williamson in 1810, and there in 1828, January 22d, our captain was born, the second of nine children. His wife was Phoebe J. Cottrell, also of Williamson, and of New Jersey descent. They, too, have had nine children, of whom Myron and John were members of the same company with their father. Myron was killed at Winchester in 1864, and John died in 1869.

Captain Fish was one of the most active agents in the raising of Company B, and he went away from Auburn as 1st sergeant. Every promotion was fairly earned, and to this day no officer of the Ninth enjoys a higher degree of respect than the captain, who gave time, his own blood and that of his son in the defense of country. Afflicted with infirmities, largely resulting from exposure in the field, he has tilled his farm since the war, save as he held the government position of collector of customs in Pultneyville, which place he filled for seven years.

No door in Wayne county swings open to an old soldier any more easily than that of the captain's house, and a G. A. R. button is an open sesame to the best that he possesses. Unless illness prevents, he is always present at the county and regimental reunions, and when he rises to speak he is sure of attentive listeners, for every one knows that he has something to say, and that he will say it. He belongs to the Post of the G. A. R. which bears the name of his boy slain in battle.

He is a brevet major, having received that title from Andrew Johnson on account of his bravery at Sailor's Creek. He retains with a deal of pride, every bit of which is pardonable, a letter from Governor Fenton transmitting the commission, and the same is reproduced here.

State of New York, Executive Department.

Albany, Nov. 8, 1865. Brevet Major Chauncey Fish.

Dear Sir: I have the pleasure to transmit herewith a brevet commission, conferred by the president in recognition of your faithful and distinguished services in the late war.

In behalf of the state, allow me to thank you for the gallantry and devotion which induced the conspicuous mention by the General Government. I feel a lively solicitude in all that relates to the honor and prosperity of the soldiers of the Union army, and especially those who advanced its renown while defending the cause of our common country.

Very respectfully,

R. E. FENTON.

Perhaps the signature of Edwin M. Stanton affixed to the commission gives as much, if not more, pleasure than that of the president.

Mrs. Fish has preceded her gallant husband to the other world and to the society of the sons who went even earlier, but seven children are yet here to enjoy the favor in which their father lives. Whole-hearted, devoted, persevering, honest, Captain Fish survives, a magnificent type of the American citizen soldier.

Sources

• Roe, Alfred S. The Ninth New York Heavy Artillery. A History of Its Organization, Services in the Defenses of Washington, Marches, Camps, Battles, and Muster-out ... and a Complete Roster of the Regiment. Worcester, MA: Author, 1899. Print. https://archive.org/details/ninthnewyorkheav00roea

• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCR1-H4F : 12 April 2016), Myron M Fish in household of Chauncey Fish, Williamson, Wayne, New York, United States; citing family 407, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

• "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCQ8-NLK : 4 October 2017), Myron Fish in entry for Chauncy Fish, 1860.

• "United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M823-D96 : 12 April 2016), William W Fish in household of Chancey Fish, New York, United States; citing p. 31, family 259, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 552,612.

• "United States Civil War and Later Pension Index, 1861-1917", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NHNB-6M4 : 24 March 2016), Chauncey Fish, 1879.

• "United States Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, 1890," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K83N-MZQ : 14 November 2014), Chauncey Fish, 1890; citing NARA microfilm publication M123 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 338,214.

• "United States Civil War Soldiers Index, 1861-1865," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F915-92Z : 4 December 2014), Chauncey Fish, Captain, Company B, 9th Regiment, New York Heavy Artillery, Union; citing NARA microfilm publication M551 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 46; FHL microfilm 882,102.

• "United States General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KDYV-ZKX : 3 April 2015), Chauncey Fish, 1879.