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New From the Abigail & Mary Press -
Colonel George Watson Pratt, American Patriot
By Seward R. Osborne
The first biography ever written about this important Civil War figure.
After three decades of research, the author has written an important and compelling biography of George Watson Pratt, only son of Zadock and Abigail Pratt.
Beginning in 2011, state, county and local governments will launch events to commemorate the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War.
When the war clouds of 1861 began to darken the horizon and threaten the very existence of our republic, the men of Greene County, NY from every hamlet joined the Federal ranks to fight and shed their patriotic blood in order to preserve and defend the Union.
One of those patriotic defenders who took up the line of march was Col. George W. Pratt, 20th NYS Militia. As the senior commander of the Ulster Guard, Col. Pratt and the men of his regiment, including many volunteers from Greene County, NY were one of the first units to depart to defend the nation's capital during the first days of the war. On October 25, 1861, Pratt and the 20th re-enlisted and with 987 men left for Virginia. On August 20, 1862 at the Battle of Second Bull Run, Col. Pratt astride his horse led a charge against Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. During the Charge Pratt was hit in the right shoulder, the ball penetrating toward the middle of his back. He immediately became paralyzed in his lower limbs. Pratt was helped from the field by his men and moved to the Willard Hotel in Alexandria, Virginia. He was transported by steamship to his mother-in-law's home on Hawk Street in Albany, NY. On September 9th the mortally wounded Colonel was visited by Governor Horatio Seymour who noted Pratt's grave condition. At 2 pm on September 11, 1862 with his father, Zadock, and his wife Anne, gathered at his bedside, he died. He is buried at the Albany Rural Cemetery. In his eulogy, it was remarked that "the differences between war and peace is that in peace the sons bury the fathers and in war the fathers bury the sons."
Celebrate our 50th with us on Aug. 28thColonel George W. Pratt 1st Annual Heritage Day. Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Zadock Pratt Museum. Saturday August 29th, Prattsville NY. Civil War Music and Exhibits. - View the Event
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Pratt Museum MembershipEach year we raise funds to keep the Museum in operation and retain our matching grants.The Museum activities for the community are entirely funded by membership fees, gifts, admission fees and volunteer efforts. |
