Captain
William Wirt Bush "First Volunteer"
William Wirt Bush (1832-1887) was the owner of the Oyster Saloon located under the, at the time, Exchange Bank. He learned of Lincoln's call for 75,000 volunteers before official notice was given. He posted signs on the Pine Street wall of the saloon asking for recruits to sign up offering to lead them as their captain. This has been acknowledged as the first volunteer regiment of the Civil War. The 28th, 151, 129 and 8th Heavy Artillery together with other regiments from Niagara County camped and drilled on the Old Fairgrounds at Washburn and Willow Streets. Captain Bush was Commander Co B, 28th New York Regiment. In 1867 The Grand Army Of The Republic awarded Captain Bush with a solid gold medal for the distinction of being the first Volunteer of the Civil War. Captain Bush was very prominent in GAR circles. He also served as President of The 12th Army Corp, Vice President Society of the Army of the Potomac. He also received many other awards including a cane with a solid gold head the wood taken from Commodore Perry's Flag Ship. This was awarded to him by the City of Buffalo for his tireless efforts in helping to put down the severe riots that Buffalo suffered through in the late 1870's. When William Wirt Bush died April 18, 1887 his funeral was the largest funeral the city of Lockport had ever seen in that time period. Captain William Wirt Bush’s wife was Wilhelmina Balliet Bush (1841-1890).
William Wirt Bush (1832-1887) was the owner of the Oyster Saloon located under the, at the time, Exchange Bank. He learned of Lincoln's call for 75,000 volunteers before official notice was given. He posted signs on the Pine Street wall of the saloon asking for recruits to sign up offering to lead them as their captain. This has been acknowledged as the first volunteer regiment of the Civil War. The 28th, 151, 129 and 8th Heavy Artillery together with other regiments from Niagara County camped and drilled on the Old Fairgrounds at Washburn and Willow Streets. Captain Bush was Commander Co B, 28th New York Regiment. In 1867 The Grand Army Of The Republic awarded Captain Bush with a solid gold medal for the distinction of being the first Volunteer of the Civil War. Captain Bush was very prominent in GAR circles. He also served as President of The 12th Army Corp, Vice President Society of the Army of the Potomac. He also received many other awards including a cane with a solid gold head the wood taken from Commodore Perry's Flag Ship. This was awarded to him by the City of Buffalo for his tireless efforts in helping to put down the severe riots that Buffalo suffered through in the late 1870's. When William Wirt Bush died April 18, 1887 his funeral was the largest funeral the city of Lockport had ever seen in that time period. Captain William Wirt Bush’s wife was Wilhelmina Balliet Bush (1841-1890).