June 1, 2016 By David Shampine, staff writer; CLAYTON - An 85-year-old Civil War hero, Joseph Michael Lonsway, who was a life-long worshiper at St. Mary’s Church, thought he was just one in a crowd of veterans as he stood in front of the White House. General John J, Pershing, the commanding officer of the United States Army, approached him and “literally hugged him, lifting the little old man high in the air,” the Watertown Daily Times reported. The occasion for the Clayton man’s memorable day was a ceremony honoring an unknown soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, to which Mr. Lonsway and several other Civil War veterans had been invited. During his 15-minute chat with the president, Mr. Lonsway was asked if he had paid his own travel expenses. That affirmed, President Harding not only arranged reimbursement, for his round trip, but additionally asked the veteran to stay over another day in Washington. The president wanted to have a follow-up discussion to hear about the old soldier’s war experiences. Wrong train The Field Marshal congratulated him for being so brave. He eventually ordered his private guard to escort Mr. Lonsway to his train and to make sure he was comfortably seated for his journey home. The following month, on the eighth of December 8, Joseph appeared on stage in Clayton as “The Boy of 65” in a skit put on by the Knights of Columbus in a musical comedy, “The Merry Travelers.” Clayton native The community of Clayton was at the time referred to as French Creek because of the large number of French Canadians who had settled here. With the arrival of these primarily Catholic French Canadians it became evident that a Catholic church would have to be constructed to meet their spiritual needs. Prior to 1842 most Catholic residents attended church in LaFargeville, and they were served by visiting priests from Rosiere. Construction of a church in Clayton, St. Mary’s, was begun in 1842 and completed in 1844. The newborn Joseph Lonsway was in that year baptized in the newly constructed church by Father Francis Guth. Young Joseph spent much of his early life on the St. Lawrence River working in boat liveries as fishing guide, raftsman and sailor. He received little formal education, but was a strong wiry little man who was known to have little fear. He spoke broken English because the family still spoke French at home. Many of the early pastors who attended St. Mary’s were also of French descent and the church records were recorded in their native language. Recognized for bravery The account of his bravery, as recorded in the Medal of Honor certificate, recognized him “For distinguished gallantry in action at Murfree’s Station, Va. October 16th, 1864, when, under cover of rapid fire from artillery and the carbines of the cavalry, he volunteered to swim across the Blackwater River to get a large flat used as a ferry boat on the other side of the river, succeeded in getting the boat safely across, thereby making it possible for the detachment to cross the river and take undisputed possession of the enemy’s breastworks.” In Private Lonsway’s account he went on to tell how several men had been killed before he accomplished this feat. Because he knew he may be killed himself he asked a friend from Clayton to write home to his family and let them know what had happened. Joseph then jumped stark naked into the river, swam across the river on his back with just his nose above the surface. Undetected by the enemy he returned with the cable in hand, enabling his unit to secure the barge and transport men, horses and artillery across the river and win the battle. Afterward, Joseph was asked how he had learned to become such a strong swimmer. “I learnt how to swim by watching the muskrats swim up French Creek…dat I know,” he said. After his swim he got separated from his detachment. Trying to find his way back, he came across some rebel soldiers guarding 250 head of cattle. He managed to “knock out” the guards and he stampeded the cattle back to his own men, solving their needs for fresh meat. Upon his return to his unit, he was heard whooping and hollering as he drove the cattle, but his commander mistook the racket to be a rebel attack and ordered his men to take aim. The friend from Clayton, identified only as Jenkins, recognized Lonsway’s hollering and begged the commander to hold fire. Joseph credited Jenkins with saving his life that day. According to the Harold Sanderson Master File of Civil War Soldiers from the North Country, that soldier may have been Jackson Jenkins of Clayton, who was a member of the 20th Regiment. Private Lonsway was reportedly offered a promotion by President Lincoln, but he appreciatively declined, choosing to return to Clayton upon completion of his enlistment. Marrying his sweetheart Joseph and Mary parented nine children, but five of them failed to reach the age of two: Joseph, born in 1870, James, born in 1871, Edward, given birth in 1872, M. Louise, born in 1875, and Paul, who was carried to his 1890 birth by his 43-year-old mother. The first-born child, Mary, arrived on Oct. 25, 1866, and died on her 48th birthday, the victim of a flu epidemic. Many of their descendants still make their homes in Clayton and worship at St. Mary’s Church. Joseph lived to be 81, passing on Jan. 22, 1925. Mrs. Lonsway died five years later, on April 9. Their funerals were both held in the new St. Mary’s, dedicated in 1889, which still stands today. Joseph and Mary are buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery along with their parents and descendants. In 2011, in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, a celebration was held to remember Pvt. Joseph Lonsway and his heroism. It was attended by his surviving granddaughter, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren and great great great grandchildren. A memorial to Private Lonsway is on the wall of the Clayton American Legion. His medal is still in his family. Per his wishes the medal is handed down generation to generation to the oldest male descendant. A blue flag signifying his Medal of Honor adorns his grave. |