John Snyder Kenyon (1843-1902)
And the Congressional Medal of Honor

The Congressional Medal of Honor is America’s highest military honor and is given only to those who display extraordinary feats of courage during time of war. One Schoharie County resident, John S. Kenyon, displayed such courage during the Civil War. Kenyon, born in Grosvenor, Schoharie, NY, in 1843, enlisted as a private in a regiment of cavalry troops at the age of 17 years.

Mr. Kenyon served the entire Civil War, from 1861 until his discharge in 1865. He rose through the ranks and was awarded an officers’ commission because of his leadership actions. After the War, Kenyon settled in Syracuse, NY, and became an honored member of the local and state Republican party, holding many party offices before his death.

What follows are excerpts from a memorial booklet published by the State of New York shortly after Kenyon’s death in February 1902. Included in the booklet are short articles by friends and contemporaries sharing the life history of John Kenyon.

“A Memorial of John S. Kenyon”

John S. Kenyon, Secretary of the State Board of Railroad Commissioners, and one of the most widely known Republicans of the State, died Sunday night February 16, 1902 , at his home in “The Kenyon” Syracuse, NY.

Mr. Kenyon was taken sick at Albany Thursday morning and Friday afternoon was removed to Syracuse on the Empire State Express. His family physician was at once summoned and diagnosed his disease as appendicitis. A consultation of physicians was held and an operation was decided upon. This was performed during the night.

At the operation it was found that the disease had advanced very rapidly and was extremely serious. He rallied from the operation, and Saturday his condition was considered favorable. But trouble with the heart developed and Sunday afternoon he commenced to fail. Oxygen and high stimulants were administered, but they failed to keep the patient alive, and the end came at 10:40 o’clock.

John S. Kenyon was born in Schoharie County, May 5, 1843, and spent his boyhood days in that place, where he attended the public schools and commenced the study of law.

When a mere boy he enlisted as a volunteer in the War of the Rebellion, joining Company D, of what was called VanAlen’s Cavalry,ⁱ one of the first companies formed in the eastern part of the State. The regiment later was known as the Third New York Cavalry.ⁱⁱ

He enlisted as a private and successively promoted to corporal, sergeant, first sergeant, and second lieutenant.ⁱⁱⁱ He served with distinction during the war and for distinguished acts of bravely was granted the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, and a charter member of the Root Post, G.A.R.

After the war he moved to this county with his father, Charles Grosvenor Kenyon, locating in Baldwinsville, 1866, engaging in the flour business. About ten years later he moved to Syracuse, where he made his home.

Mr. Kenyon was originally a Democrat, but soon after coming to Syracuse he became a Republican, and ever since has been one of the most active and influential workers, both in this county and the State.

For many years Mr. Kenyon has been in public life. He was appointed assistant clerk of the State Assembly about 1877, and because of his tact, faithfulness, and natural adaptability for the work, he has since been appointed to many confidential positions. He served as assistant clerk of the State Senate in 1880-1881, and 1886-1887. In 1882-1883, he served as reading clerk of the House of Representatives.

In 1888 Mr. Kenyon was chosen clerk of the State Senate and he held that position, with the exception of 1891 and 1892, until 1898, when he was chosen Secretary of the State Board of Railroad Commissioners, succeeding Charles R. DeFreest.

Mr. Kenyon was Secretary of the Republican County Committee of this county from 1879 to 1888, inclusive. In 1889, he was chosen Chairman to the Committee, and held the position for many years. In 1890 he was made Secretary of the Republican State Committee, and held that position for ten successive years. In 1891 he was chosen Secretary of the Republican State Convention, and acted in that capacity at all important conventions ever since.

Mr. Kenyon was a man of mild and genial disposition and well-balanced intellect. His judgment was clear and decisive and his understanding of political matters was comprehensive and exact. He was close to the most prominent men in the party in New York State, and confidence in him was almost unlimited.

He had a host of friends, not only this county, but all over the State, and he was one of the most widely known of Syracuse politicians.

Mr. Kenyon married Miss Martha Tefft,^iv who survives him. He is also survived by one child Alma. Both his wife and daughter were with him when he died. He also leaves one brother, Jacob Kenyon of Baldwinsville.

The Albany Evening Journal, February 19. 1902, said:

Col. John S. Kenyon Dead

The announcement of the death of Col. John S. Kenyon, Secretary of the State Board of Railroad Commissioners, came as a shock to his many friends in this city-and no man in the State had more. Friday morning he was at his desk in the capital, on Saturday he was operated on for appendicitis at his home in Syracuse, and on Sunday he died from the effects of the operation. Few of his friends even knew that he was ill, until a press dispatch from Syracuse Saturday afternoon announced that he had been operated upon and was in a serious condition. On Friday, on his way home to be operated upon, he took chances on missing his train in order to notify the Railroad Commission of the accident on the New York City elevated railroad, and dispatch Inspector Schultze to the scene, to commence the investigation. Col. Kenyon never spared himself when there was work to be done, but he never was too busy to have a kindly word and a smile for those about him. His unfailing good nature won for him a host of friends, whose sympathy will go out to his family in their time of grief.

To any one in distress Col. Kenyon was a certain source of relief. He never discussed his little acts of kindness, but on the contrary, was disposed to apologize for them when they were discovered. Just before he left office Friday morning, a veteran of the Spanish War came to him for enough money to buy breakfast. The veteran told the colonel a hard luck story; admitted that he had spent his money foolishly, and mostly for drink. As Col. Kenyon handed him the money he said: “Go and get a good breakfast”, and turning to a friend when the soldier had gone, said: “Poor fellow, he has had lots of hard luck. I cannot refuse an old soldier above every one else.”

The Syracuse Post-Standard, Wednesday February 19, 1902:

With impressive ceremonies the body of the late John S. Kenyon, Secretary of the State Board of Railroad Commissioners, who died at his home in this city Sunday evening, will be laid at rest this afternoon in Oakwood Cemetery. Prominent State legislators and officers will attend the funeral, which will be marked both by military and Masonic rites.

Beginning at 11 o’clock this morning the remains will lie in state until 12:30 at the family home in “The Kenyon,” after which they will be taken to the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, from which the funeral will be conducted. Rev. Dr. H.R. Lockwood, rector of St. Paul’s, will officiate at the funeral. The Park Central Presbyterian Church quartet will sing a number of selections. Among these will be three favorite hymns of Col. Kenyon, namely, “Nearer My God to Thee,” “O Paradise,” and “Onward, Christian Soldiers.” At the church the body will lie in state from 12:45 until 2 o’clock, with guard from Root Post, G.A.R., of which Col. Kenyon was a member. His cap and sword will repose upon the casket, which is to be draped with the Stars and Stripes.

At Oakwood Cemetery services will be conducted under Masonic auspices and the body placed in the vault, from which it will be later be transferred to the family plot.

Memorial of Hugh Hasting:^v

John S. Kenyon, Secretary of the State Railroad Commission, who died at his home, Syracuse, NY, on Sunday night, February 16, 1902, from heart failure following an operation for appendicitis, was descended from sturdy American stock. Born in Schoharie County, May 5, 1843 his boyhood days were passed there. The outbreak of the Civil War thwarted his ambition. He aspired to become a lawyer; instead he became a soldier. Four days after the Battle of Bull Run, James H. VanAlen obtained authority from the War Department to recruit a regiment of cavalry. Young Kenyon, always a lover of horses, decided to join. His father opposed his enlisting, but this obstacle was overcome in characteristic boyish fashion: he ran away and joined the Onondaga cavalry. His troop was attached to VanAlen’s regiment which is known as the Third New York Volunteer Cavalry. From private to corporal, to sergeant, and orderly sergeant, young Kenyon advanced until he secured his commission as second lieutenant. His command saw much service, active and continuous. In the Shenandoah Valley it had numerous brushes with the Ashbys — the two brothers who early in the war carried as much tenor to Union troops in that section of the country as Mosby created along the line of the old Orange and Alexandria railroad. Confederate testimony to the contrary notwithstanding, and the sword of Turner Ashby is now one of the war relics to be seen in the State Capital at Albany, a trophy captured by the same Third Cavalry. From the Shenandoah the regiment was transferred in April, 1862, to North Carolina. Here it remained on outpost and scouting duty till November, 1863. It was splendidly officered. None of our cavalry regiments, and all from New York were beyond criticism, better.

In action, near Trenton Bridge, North Carolina, May 15. 1862, young Kenyon, who had just passed his nineteenth birthday, performed an act of heroism which brought to him the much-coveted honor to the soldier, the Congressional medal issued only for conspicuous valor outside the line of duty. The two troops of his command had charged three times and as often had been forced back under the galling fire of the enemy, a strong force of which had sought the protecting cover of the stout walls of a church. When the final order to retire was given, one of the troopers was shot and fell from his horse. The commanding officer called for volunteers. Instantly Kenyon responded. He quickly turned his horse, galloped back under a steady fire to the spot where his wounded comrade lay, dismounted, lifted the limp body to the saddle, then guiding the animal with one hand and steadying his helpless friend with the other, he deliberately ran along, his body acting as a shield, with the bullets whistling around him until he rejoined his command. His bravery on the field was only equaled by his modesty after his sword was sheathed. His most intimate friends of years never heard him allude to this episode. But his old companions in arms who were conversant with all the facts were unwilling that an act of such conspicuous bravery should go unrewarded.^vi

After the war he transferred his residence from Schoharie to Onondaga county and settled at Baldwinsville, where with his father, Charles Grosvenor Kenyon, he established paper mills. When he joined the Republican Party, in 1875, he at once became a factor in the politics of his section of the States. Clearheaded, unrelenting in his dislikes, and as devoted in his friendships his ability as an advisor was unrecognized by the political leaders who constantly consulted him on questions affecting the party. It was to his efforts more than to any other one man, and for the reasons above all others, that he was an old soldier, that General Grant, in 1880, broke his itinerary, during the Garfield-Hancock campaign, and delivered his memorable speech, at Syracuse, the last time the great captain ever appeared in Onondaga county.

A man of Mr. Kenyon’s force of character, sagacity, and integrity invariably commands the respect of his fellow citizens and recognition of party leaders, and can always be relied upon to fill conscientiously any position of trust that may be awarded him. Thus his public life was similar to his military life-a series of promotions with the proud distinction that each successive position reflected greater credit upon the man and shed brighter luster upon the State. Whether as a subordinate clerk of the Legislature or as reading clerk of the House of Representatives; or carrying the weightier responsibilities of clerk of the State Senate, or the graver cares of Secretary of the State Railroad Commissioners, the judgement of all who came in contact with him was unchanged and uniform, his work was always faithfully and honestly performed and for the best interest of the people and of the State.

He was a charter member of the Root Post, G.A.R., of Syracuse, a companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, and of the Medal of Honor Society. He married the daughter of a prominent merchant of Syracuse, Miss Martha Tefft, who, with their one daughter, Alma, survive him.

Memorial of the Schoharie Union, editor Charles C. Kromer^vii who went to war in the same company with Mr. Kenyon:

We can personally recollect John S. Kenyon in the years gone by when but a 17-year-old boy, he left one of the most pleasant and attractive homes in Schoharie county, parents and school and became a private soldier in VanAlen’s New York Cavalry (later on the Third New York) in 1861, and drew his saber for his country’s cause, and he served his country as well, and as faithfully, and as bravely as a private and as an officer as any man who ever donned the uniform of blue.

John S. Kenyon had the honor to lead the very advance guard of General Bank’s column from Harper’s Ferry through Winchester and down the historic valley of the Shenandoah for 100 miles in March, 1862, with Asby’s best Virginia cavalry contesting every foot of ground, and treaded the swamps and trails of the Carolinas under Burnside’s orders. We just now recall a little incident that occurred at this time. Away back on May 15, 1862, a small engagement took place on the Trent road, a few miles west of Newberne, N.C. C Company of the Third New York cavalry had the advance and received the first fire. The commanding officer sent orders by Lt. George E. Gouraud, acting adjutant, for the cavalry to fall back. Just as Lieutenant Gouraud delivered his orders he noticed a soldier of C Company fall from his horse badly wounded. Gouraud called for assistance to get the wounded man on his horse. Kenyon jumped from his horse, threw his reins to the comrade next to him, ran to where the wounded man lay, lifted him to his feet and hoisted him across the pommel of Gouraud’s saddle where Gouraud held him and putting spurs to his horse swiftly carried the man out of danger. By this time Kenyon’s company, D, had fallen back a considerable distance, and he displayed great agility as a runner in regaining his place in the ranks. This was the only time during his service that Kenyon showed his heels to the enemy.^viii

i. Col. James H. VanAlen, a wealthy Dutchess County, NY merchant, began recruiting for a regiment of cavalry in July 1861. Lt. Col. Simon Hoosic Mix of Schoharie helped raise two companies from this area. Mix was the editor of the Schoharie Republican newspaper.

ii. On the promotion of VanAlen to the rank of brigadier general, the regiment became known as the “Third New York Cavalry” with Col. Mix commanding. Mix died at the Battle of Petersburg, June 15, 1864. There is some controversy to the circumstances surrounding his death even to this day. Most experts will agree that Mix was wounded in battle and died of his wounds in captivity.

iii. Kenyon enlisted on Oct. 29, 1861 at Schenevus, NY. He was mustered out of the service on July 12, 1865 along with the rest of the regiment.

iv. They were married on June 23, 1869 at Syracuse, NY. She was awarded a widow’s pension of $12 per month in May, 1908. She was not “enduring any financial hardships but felt she was entitled to the pension for her husband’s service. He was one of the youngest soldiers to earn the Medal of Honor.”

v. Hugh Hasting was a famous New York State historian, highly regarded by his peers and scholars of today.

vi. Kenyon’s Medal of Honor was finally approved by the President on Sept 28, 1897, some 35 years after the act. I would imagine John Kenyon’s friends lobbied for the medal more so than did John. The official award citation reads:”Sergeant, Company D, 3rd NY Cavalry, at Trenton, NC, 15 May 1862, Voluntary left a retiring column, returned in face of the enemy’s fire, helped a wounded man upon a horse, and so enable him to escape capture or death.”

vii. Charles C. Kromer, Captain, 3rd NY Cavalry, was from Schoharie, NY. He enlisted on Aug. 12, 1861 and mustered out on July 12, 1865. He became editor and publisher of the Schoharie Union newspaper.

viii. Trooper John Timerman recorded the events of the day in his journal: “On Wednesday May 14th at 8 P.M. boots and saddle sounded and we marched toward Trenton NC where there is a force of secessionists. We marched until 12 when we halted for an hour and then we mounted again and marched until we met the enemy which was about 7 o’clock in the morning. We were marching along very quietly when we were suddenly surprised by a firing from the side of the woods which wounded 5 of our boys one very badly. For he had to have his hand taken off (Private William Bellows, Company C, left arm amputated). The others were but slightly wounded, our major being among them (Major Charles Fitzsimmons). I was in the second squadron and of course did not get in the heavy part. However it was an awful sight to see the wounded brought by to the rear to see them all covered with blood. It looked everything but pleasant. We also lost one lieutenant and 3 or 4 privates prisoner. We killed 10 and took two prisoners one of which died the next day.”

Works Cited List:

A Memorial of John S. Kenyon. Proceedings of the Legislature of the State of New York and Testimonials of Friends. Albany, NY, 1903.

Hagan, Edward. Hot Whiskey for Five. Schoharie County and the Civil War. Cobleskill, NY: Times-Journal Press, 1985.

Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, Headquarters of the State of New York. In Memoriam: John S. Kenyon, 2nd LT, 3rd NY Cavalry. New York, April, 1902.

National Archives and Records Administration, Pension Papers, Civil War Veterans, Washington, DC.

Pension papers of John Kenyon, #6647 11.

New York State Archives, War Service Records, Albany, NY. Service record of John Kenyon, #1480.

Stahler, Enoch. Enoch Stabler, Miller and Soldier, First Lieutenant Third NY Cavalry. Washington, DC: Private Printing 1909.

Timerman, John. Correspondence of John D. Timerman, 3rd NY Cavalry to his wife Mary, Sept. 1861 to Oct. 1864. US Army Military History Institute, Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle, PA.

US War Department. War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Series I, Vol. IX. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1883.

Wall, Edward. “Raids in Southeastern Virginia Fifty Years Ago.” Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society, JII:2(1918):65-82,147-I61

“First Assault on Petersburg.” Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society, 111:4 (1918) 193-204.

Warner, George, H. Military Records of Schoharie County Veterans of Four Wars. Albany, NY: Weed, Parsons, and Co, 1891.