FIRST LIEUT. GEORGE W. BROWN,
Co. D, born in Rochester, was an only son, and, employed as mercantile clerk, proved a most efficient and trustworthy young business man. He entered the Regiment as a private. Promoted to Lieutenant of Co. D, he fell mortally wounded at the battle of Williamsburg. His agreeable manners and gallant conduct had endeared him to the Regiment, every member of whom mourned his loss as if he had been a brother.
FIRST LIEUTENANT MOSES CHURCH,
Co. E, was born in New England, about the year 1817. He was residing at Geneseo when the war commenced, engaged in the hardware business. Fond of military pursuits, he connected himself with a Militia company, and was chosen Lieutenant. On the organization of Co. E., he was elected first Lieutenant, participated in the various skirmishes near Washington, and the battles at Williamsburg and Mechanicsville. At the battle of Golden’s Farm he exhibited great bravery, going fearlessly out in front of the breastwork, and firing round after round at the enemy, until he fell dead, pierced through the head by a minie-ball. He was universally beloved by the Regiment. A brave soldier, and skilful officer, he died, leaving a bright record behind him.
FIRST LIEUT. CHARLES D. ROSSITER,
Company D, the youngest son of William and Electa B. Rossiter, was born in Rochester, New York, March 4th, 1842. His parents soon after removed to Little Falls, Herkimer County, N. Y., where his father died. In the year 1856 he entered the Farmers and Mechanics’ Bank at Rochester, and, writes the Cashier, “though quite young, soon learned to count money, and became a very rapid and accurate accountant.”
In 1861 he enlisted in Co. G, Fifty-fourth Regiment N. Y. S. M., and was soon after promoted to Sergeant. During the following spring he was again promoted to Orderly, and served in that capacity with his home regiment until September, when he was authorized with others to raise a Company for the war.
Lieutenant Rossiter was wounded by a ball, entering the left side and passing completely through his body, in the fatal retreat of Sedgwick’s Corps, after storming Fredericksburg Heights. He was carried in a blanket a short distance by four of his faithful men, but owing to the extreme pain it gave him, he asked to be left behind, and was accordingly left in the rebel hospital at Banks’ Ford. He lived just a week from the day he was wounded, and owing to a merciful peculiarity of the wound, his sufferings were not excessive. Lieutenant Roach, at the risk of his own life, succeeded in finding his body, and at dead of night carried it on his shoulders nearly a mile. Lieutenant Rossiter’s remains were taken to Rochester and interred at Mount Hope, May 20th, 1863.
In a communication written since his death, his Captain says of him, “Charlie was ardent and enthusiastic, firmly devoted to his country’s good, and he fell nobly, a martyr to her cause. I have never seen an officer to whom the trying scenes of a battle-field were new, bear himself with more bravery and cool courage than did Charlie.”
Lines written on his death.