Frederick Glasser, Patriot

Frederick Glasser, circa 1861

Frederick J. Glasser was the son of Wilhelm and Eva Katherine Mary Metz. He was born about 1846 in Buffalo, New York. He married Caroline S. Gouyd, the daughter of Daniel Smith Gouyd and Harriet Louisa Bangs.

Little is known about Frederick other than he was a Civil War veteran who saw combat. He enlisted in the Union Army on September 22, 1864 in Dunkirk, New York.[1] His regiment, the 187^th Infantry, was organized quickly at Buffalo, New York under Col. William F. Berens. Berens was assigned the difficult task of recruiting multiple companies throughout western New York. Frederick, having received the call for volunteers, obviously saw the value and joined. He was assigned to Company I and participated in at least one battle during his period of service. Although there are no direct references to Frederick Glasser, the following report appeared in the Dunkirk Union, the official newspaper of Dunkirk, New York.[2] The article, dated November 9, 1864, provides a first-hand account of action by the 187^th Regiment of NY Volunteers. Frederick would have been an active participant.

“Letter from Capt. D. Loeb.
CAMP NEAR POPLAR GROVE, Va.
October, 29, 1864.
Editors Union and Journal:

GENTS:—Knowing the anxiety that many of our readers feel in regard to the members of Co. I, 187th N. Y. V., I hasten to write you the result of our first brush with the enemy.

On the night of the 26th, the Regiment were furnished with four days’ marching rations, with instructions to hold themselves in readiness to move at a moment’s notice. At 2 o’clock the next morning, we were awakened quietly and ordered to strike our tents and pack up for the route, which was done silently and speedily.—At 4.30 the regiment took up its line of march for a point on the South Side Railroad, called “Dinwidde Court House,” distant six miles which we reached about 8 o’clock. Getting within 300 yards of the rebel works, we formed in line of battle, when a charge was ordered, and our boys moved forward in good style, in spite of a dense thicket of under-growth and heavy timber. When within 150 yards of the Rebel Fortifications, we wore checked by a withering fire of musketry, causing us to fall back some 50 yards where we reformed, and again advanced, driving the enemy to their rifle pits. Finding we could not dislodge them, we fell back about 150 yards and commenced to throw up breastworks, while exposed to a galling fire from the rebel sharpshooters. Brevet Brig. Gen. Gregory professed himself well satisfied with the behaviour of the regiment, in this, their first time “under fire,” undrilled as they were. I regret to say that we have lost two of our brave fellows, besides some of our best men wounded. Below I send you a list of killed and wounded from my company. At 10 o’clock yesterday morning we received orders to leave our impromptu works and move to the rear, which we gladly did, having been in front of the enemy 26 hours, in a drenching rain, and exposed to a severe fire from the rebel sharpshooters and skirmishers. We reached our present camp, which is about a mile from the one we occupied before, at 2 o’clock p. m.

We are in the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Army Corps.”

Frederick married Caroline two years after his tour of duty was complete. This happened on Christmas day in 1869. Caroline was 18 years old and Frederick was 20. Three years later they gave birth to the first of two children. Emma Glasser was born on June 29, 1872 in Eden, New York. Their second child, Elmer, was born almost exactly three years later to the day on June 27, 1875.

Frederick did not leave service unscathed. Although he had no war wounds, he had contracted an illness that would plague him for years. Whatever the disease was, it finally caught up with him. He died on March 25, 1882. He was only 36 years old.

I’d like to thank Frederick Glasser for his service. His sacrifices helped make America.

Happy Veteran’s Day!

Notes:

[1] Department of Interior, Bureau of Pension Records as researched by Beverly Glosser Rogers, http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/b/e/a/Cindy-L-Beakes/GENE1-0004.html, retrieved on December 10, 2009

[2] The article was retrieved from the New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center at http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/historic/reghist/civil/infantry/187thInf/187thInfCWN.htm on December 10, 2009