Anthony Sprague, son of Harvey, came from Walbridge, Conn., to Henderson about 1805. He married Esther Jones, and they had four sons and three daughters. Emory, son of Anthony, was born in 1794, served in the War of 1812, and assisted in carrying the cable to Sackets Harbor. He married Marcia R., daughter of William and Eleanor (Green) Johnson, by whom he had 11 children, viz.: Morrison E., Lewis G., William, Marion J. (Mrs. Leonard Seaton), Alphonzo, Fardon A., Daniel J., Frances A., Charles H., Maria H., and Almont A.
Charles H. Sprague was born June 28, 1841, and was reared upon a farm. He sailed on the lakes for two years, and clerked in a store at Belleville for a time. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. K., 94th Regt., was promoted to corporal in 1862, and to sergeant in 1863; reenlisted in the same company, was commissioned second lieutenant, in the August following became first lieutenant, and in the winter of 1865 became adjutant. He was in the battles of Cedar Mountain, second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Petersburg, Wilderness, and others, and was brevetted captain for meritorious conduct in the battle of Five Forks, April 1, 1865. He was also at Appomattox at the time of Lee's surrender. After he returned from the war he engaged in the grocery business, was postmaster from 1866 to 1869, and again from 1874 to 1885. He has been a justice of the peace about 10 years. In 1873 he bought the Seaton store, and in 1877 built the block he now owns. February 17, 1884, he married Martha A., daughter of James and Sophia (Oatman) Green, and now resides at Henderson. His father, Emory Sprague, died in 1869.
Denver, Colo., Nov. 8, 1927.
From what I saw and what "I did not see, I can most assuredly say, "HE DID NOT." I was Adjutant and commanding officer of the 94th regiment, N. Y. Veteran Vol. Inf., at that time. In the battle of Five Forks, nine days before the surrender, all the commissioned officers of my regiment were either killed or wounded except three lieutenants and myself, and as I outranked the others, the command of the regiment fell upon me. During those nine days and night, chasing Lee's army from Five Forks to Appomattox, I had no opportunity to report our condition to brigade headquarters and get relieved from command of the regiment until after the surrender.
The night of the 8th, we were on the jump until about 12 o'clock, when we were ordered into a piece of woods for a few hours of sleep. With my saddle for a pillow, and my sergeant major near at hand, I knew nothing more until about 4 o'clock. Then I heard a loud call for the adjutant of the 94th, and I immediately answered. It proved to be a staff officer from brigade headquarters with orders to get the regiment in line as quickly as possible as we had Lee's army corralled nearby. To get those tired, sleepy men, one by one, on to their feet and make them realise the situation, was no small job. When we marched out of those woods that beautiful April morning of the 9th, the sun had just appeared in the east. In front of us was a long gentle slope, leading down into a beautiful valley. Over on the other side, was the remnant of Lee's army in line, with their skirmish line out in front. We immediately formed in line and prepared to give, what we believed, would be the "knock out blow" to that army. Realizing then, that I was responsible for the conduct of the whole regiment, in what seemed an inevitable battle, it was with much fear and trembling that I took my position as commander and gave the order to advance. Their skirmish line retired as we advanced. When we had got about half way down the slope, a confederate trooper came rushing in, waving a white flag. I want to say here, that was the best looking piece of white cloth I ever laid my eyes on. We halted at once, in plain view of the McLane house, where the meeting of Grant and Lee took place. This meeting was requested by General Lee for the purpose of ascertaining what terms General Grant would give him in case of his surrender. I saw all that took place in that dooryard before the parties went into the house. There could not have been any sword offering on the part of General Lee at that time, because he had made no offer of surrender. What took place after they went into the house, is a matter of recent history. General Grant forestalled any act on the part of Lee to offer him his sword. His terms were that all officers of Lee's army should retain their side arms and their horses, also the horses owned by individuals in Lee's army.That historical event took place 62 years ago last April. I was then 23 years old. I doubt if there is a single person living today who was an eye witness to that meeting in the McLane house. I know of but one comrade now living, who was with the regiment at that time. He is Capt. Samuel C. Demarse of Mannsville, N. Y. He was one of the lieutenants who survived in the battle of Five Forks. We both received brevet captains'
commissions -signed by President Andrew Johnson, upon which was written, "For meritorious service at the battle of Five Forks, Va., April 1st, 1865."
Very Respectfully,
Chas. H. Sprague.
1512 Steele street.
Sources
Newspaper -JEFFERSON COUNTY JOURNAL- Wednesday, November 16, 1927
Hamilton Child's Gazetteer of Jefferson County, N.Y. , published in 1890. bio of Anthony Sprague
Jefferson County Genweb CIVIL WAR SERVICEMEN, TOWN OF HENDERSON "Electronic"
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