Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Saturday, May 9, 2009
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Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Matthew VanBuskirk was born 1 Jan 1835 Buckmantown, New York. He died 10 Jan 1901 Iowa Falls, Iowa.
They had 8 children:
_Harry Albert b. 20 Apr 1867 Iowa Falls, Iowa married Frances McWhirter 6Mar 1894.
_Minna Louiza b. 28 Jul 1869 Iowa Falls, Iowa d. 1 Oct 1956 Van Nuys, California. Married Albert Munson McWhirter 3 Dec 1900.
_Ida Mae b. 1872 married Frank Herbert Perry
_Flora Alice b.31 May 1872 d. 31 May 1872
_Cora Emma b. 31 May 1872 married George A Adams
_GRACE EDITH b. 17 Sep 1874 Hardin, Iowa d. 16 Feb 1959 Van Nuys, California. Married Albert Byron McVicker 25 Feb 1897 Iowa Falls, Iowa
_Frank M. 6 Apr 1878 d. about 1880
_Irving Ernest b. 27 Jul 1884 married Mittie Ethel Orcutt.
Matthew served in the civil war below is copy of his reports
REPORT OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MATTHEW VAN BUSKIRK
Ninety-Second Illinois (Mounted Infantry)
Operations of January 28 - March 1865
Headquarters, Ninety-Second Illinois Volunteer Mounted Infantry
Near Mount Olive, North Carolina, March 31, 1865
I have the honor to make the following report of my regiment during the campaign through the Carolinas.January 28 struck tents 7 a.m. and marched toward Sister's Ferry; eight miles, when we went into camp for the night. January 29, marched towards Sister's Ferry; fifteen miles, and went into camp for the night. January 30, marched to Sister's Ferry; twelve miles. January 31, February 1 and 2, remained in camp at Sister's Ferry.February 3, crossed pontoon bridge, marching to Robertsville, S.C.; eight miles to camp. February 4, marched to Lawtonville, S.C.; sixteen miles. February 5, marched to Allendale, S.C.; seventeen miles. 6th, marched to Barnwell, S.C.; fifteen miles. Two miles before reaching Barnwell, at a swamp, the enemy had thrown up formidable earth-works and manned them with some force to resist our progress. My regiment was ordered to forward, dismounted, being obliged to ford a creek from four to five feet deep. As soon as the creek was crossed, I charged his works, at the same time turning his right flank, when he abandoned his works in confusion. Feb. 7, marched to Blackville, S.C.; ten miles. 8th, tore up railroad track, at Blackville till 12 m., when we marched to Windsor, S.C.; nine miles. Tore up railroad in the evening. Feb. 9, marched to Williston, S.C.; ten miles. 10th, marched to Johnson's Station; 6 miles. Captain Becker and twenty-five men went out on a scout to ascertain the position, wounding one of them severely. Feb. 11, one battalion, Captain Timms commanding, was sent out at 3 a.m. to surprise and attack the enemy's picket. He passed around in rear of the vedettes, capturing them. And attacked the main reserve, driving them back to their main forces, killing one man. At 7 a.m. was ordered out to go to Aiken, my regiment having the advance of the brigade. One battalion, Captain Schermeirhorn commanding, was sent forward as skirmishes. He soon found the enemy's pickets and attacked them. driving them from successive lines of barricades into the town of Aike upon the main force. (Hampton and Wheeler) posted in strong position in the town. I put my regiment in and moving forward attacked them, forcing back their center. Their line being much longer and force greatly superior they turned both my right and left flank, charging in and forming line in my rear. With skirmishers to protect my front, I formed, faced to the rear and charged the line in my rear. They fought stubbornly and a hand-to-hand conflict ensued, but they were forced to yield, and fled in wildest confusion. While engaged with the first line, they formed a second line, but with no better success to them than the first. Having cleared my rear my skirmishers in front were sorely pressed, fighting hand to hand. With the Ninth Michigan on my left and Ninth Ohio on my right we charged the enemy and relieved my skirmishers. He fled before the combined charge, and we drove him nearly through the town, when orders came to withdraw, which was done in good order. The fighting was determined and desperate, and each officer and man of my regiment proved himself a hero. In falling back to our fortified position at Johnson's Station, he pressed the rear very hard. By order I formed my regiment on either side of the road and checked him in his impetuosity.My casualties in the fight were 5 killed, 11 wounded and 7 missing, including 2 officers. My wounded were all brought off the field.Feb 12, remained in camp. Sent a scout to the right to ascertain whether the enemy was moving, but he was not to be found. Feb 13, marched to Davis' Mills on the South Edisto River; sixteen miles. Feb 14, crossed the South Edisto and marched to the North Edisto; twenty-two miles. 15th, crossed the North Edisto and marched toward Columbia, S.C.; eighteen miles. 16th, marched to Lexington; ten miles. 17th, we crossed the pontoon bridge over the Saluda River, and encamped near Mills Ferry; sixteen miles. 18th, marched to the Alston on Broad River; fifteen miles. 19th, marched to pontoons on Broad River; eight miles. 20th, crossed bridge, marching a distance of twenty-one miles. 21st, marched to Adger's; fifteen miles. 22nd, marched to Black Stocks; eight miles. 23rd, marched to Rocky Mount Ferry, were a halt was made to fee. We then crossed the Catawba River on pontoon, and marching eighteen miles. 24th, marched to Lancaster, S.C. 25th, 26th and 27th, remained in camp. 28th, marched toward Chesterfield, S.C.; six miles.March 1, relieved the Ninth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry on picket. March 2, marched on the Chesterfield road to Lynch's Creek; twenty miles. 3rd, marched toward Wadesborough, N.C.; thirteen miles. 4th, the brigade pickets were attacked at 11:00 a.m., and my regiment was ordered out to support the Tenth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. The Tenth was driven in and my skirmishers exchanged some shots with the enemy, he was not being inclined to advance on my barricade. The order was received to withdraw, and my regiment was assigned the rear of the division. Slight skirmishing was kept up in the rear. Casualties, one man wounded. We passed through the First Brigade, which had taken position and strongly barricaded. Marched to Morven Post-Office; eight miles. Halted and fed, then marched to pontoon camp six miles from Morven Post-Office. 6th, marched on the Rockingham road; six miles. 7th, marched to Rockingham, N.C.; eleven miles. 8th, marched fifteen miles toward Fayetteville, N.C. My regiment was guard for wagon trains. Was attacked by the enemy, but speedily repulsed him back on the double quick, killing and wounding several of his men. 9th, marched toward Fayetteville; fifteen miles. My regiment was wagon train guard, and was ordered by General Fitzpatrick to go into camp with the train on the Fayetteville road near the junction of another road (name not known), but before arriving at the place the rebel Generals Hampton and Wheeler had occupied the place assigned for camp of Second Brigade, which compelled a withdrawal, as they had superior numbers, it being dark, stormy, and their position unknown. During the day and night we marched a distance of twenty-five miles. On the night of the 11th, the Ninth Ohio and my regiment built a corduroy bridge over an impassive swamp and marched eighteen miles, going into camp on the plank road near Fayetteville, N.C.. 12th, 13th, and 14th of March, remained in camp. 15th, marched through Fayetteville, crossing Cape Fear River on pontoons, and toward Averasborough; twenty-two miles. 16th, the enemy, being strongly posted in front, the Third Cavalry Division marched out to ascertain his position. I was ordered to support the Eighth Indiana, which I did, but the infantry soon moved up and relieved both the Eighth Indiana and my regiment. We then marched to the Black River and went into camp; distance five miles. 17th, marched eight miles. 18th, marched to South River; six miles. 19th, marched fifteen miles on Smithfield road. 20th, marched eighteen miles and joined the infantry on the Goldsborough road and went into camp in the rear of the Twentieth Army Corps. 21st, remained in camp. 22nd, relieved the skirmishers of the Second and Third Divisions of the Twentieth Army Corp. Was afterward relieved by the Ninth Michigan, and marched eight miles and camped for the night. 23rd, marched to Clinton; fifteen miles. On the road to Clinton a detail of the sergeant and ten men was made to scout to the Fayetteville road. They met the enemy scouts (some fifty in number) who charged them and captured all but three men, but they all afterward made their escape but four. The little band of heroes fought bravely and desperately wounding three of them, and mortally wounding their commanding officer. March 24, in camp at Clinton. Here was received the circular from Major General Sherman that the campaign was ended.During the recent campaign I have marched 566 miles. The number of casualties is shown by report of killed, wounded, and missing accompanying this.To the officers and men of my regiment, with whom I have been associated for the past 30 months, and have had the honor to command during the last two campaigns, which are not surpassed in history, I tender my most heartfelt thanks for the universal good conduct, obedience to orders, and the undaunted heroism which has been displayed by each one of you upon so many fields of battle, which have been watered by the blood of our brothers and associates. Such courage and heroism will receive its reward in the living pages of history, and you will have through life, resting in your own bosom, the sweet consciousness that the blows you struck, the fatigues and privations you endured were for liberty, humanity and good government.M. Van BuskirkLieutenant Colonel, CommandingReport to: Captain H.J. Smith
Report of Bt. Brig. General, Smith D. Atkins
Ninety-Second Illinois (mounted) Infantry
Second Brigade of Operation - January 28th - March 24th
Near Mt. Olive, North Carolina, April 1, 1865
February 11, 1865 brigade moving toward Aikens, S.C."The town being apparently vacated, General Kirkpatrick directed me to send the Ninety-Second Illinois to charge into the town, which they did handsomely, but found it held in force by the enemy. A division of the enemy, posted in the woods on their left (our right), charged in rear of Ninety-Second Infantry Illinois and formed a line. Lt. Colonel Matthew Van Buskirk, commanding the Ninety-Second with admirable coolness left a skirmish line to hold the enemy in front, and facing the rear, charged through the enemy and rejoined the brigade"."Lt. Colonel Mathew Van Buskirk killed two of the enemy himself and knocked a third off his horse with his empty pistol.""Colonels Hamilton and Acker and Lt. Colonel Matthew Van Buskirk handled their regiments with admirable coolness and skill and are deserving of great praise."
