FOOTNOTE:

G. Washington.

The address of the Hebrew Congregations in the cities of Philadelphia, New York, Richmond, and Charleston, to the President of the United States:

Sir: It is reserved for you to unite in affection for your character and person every political and religious denomination of men, and in this will the Hebrew congregations aforesaid yield to no class of their fellow-citizens.

We have hitherto been prevented by various circumstances peculiar to our situation from adding our congratulations to those which the rest of America have offered on your elevation to the chair of the Federal Government. Deign, then, illustrious sir, to accept this our homage.

The wonders which the Lord of Hosts hath worked in thedays of our forefathers have taught us to observe the greatness of His wisdom and His might throughout the events of the late glorious Revolution; and, while we humble ourselves at His footstool in thanksgiving and praise for the blessing of His deliverance, we acknowledge you, the leader of American armies, as His chosen and beloved servant. But not to your sword alone is present happiness to be ascribed; that, indeed, opened the way to the reign of freedom, but never was it perfectly secure until your hand gave birth to the Federal Constitution and you renounced the joys of retirement to seal by your administration in peace what you had achieved in war.

To The Eternal God, who is thy refuge, we commit in our prayers the care of thy precious life; and when, full of years, thou shalt be gathered unto thy people, 'thy righteousness shall go before thee,' and we shall remember, amidst our regret, "that the Lord hath set apart the godly for Himself," whilst thy name and thy virtues will remain an indelible memorial on our minds.

Manuel Josephson.

For and in behalf and under the authority of the several congregations aforesaid.

Philadelphia, December 13, 1790.

The President was pleased to reply to the foregoing as follows:

Answer—To the Hebrew Congregations in the cities of Philadelphia, New York, Charleston, and Richmond:

Gentlemen: The liberality of sentiment toward each other, which marks every political and religious denomination of men in this country, stands unparalleled in the history of nations.

The affection of such a people is a treasure beyond the reach of calculation, and the repeated proofs which my fellow-citizens have given of their attachment to me and approbation of my doings, form the purest source of my temporal felicity. The affectionate expressions of your address again excite my gratitude and receive my warmest acknowledgement.

The power and goodness of The Almighty, so strongly manifested in the events of our late glorious revolution, and Hiskind interposition in our behalf, have been no less visible in the establishment of our present equal government. In war He directed the sword, and in peace He has ruled in our councils. My agency in both has been guided by the best intentions and a sense of duty I owe to my country.

And as my exertions have hitherto been amply rewarded by the approbation of my fellow-citizens, I shall endeavor to deserve a continuance of it by my future conduct.

May the same temporal and eternal blessings which you implore for me, rest upon your congregations.

G. Washington.

The foregoing expressions of the father of his country to his Hebrew fellow-citizens may be appropriately supplemented by the following correspondence of patriots of the early days of the United States.

In 1818 the Mill Street Synagogue was consecrated. Mordecai M. Noah delivered an eloquent address on the occasion, and sent copies thereof to distinguished statesmen. Among the replies received were the following, which are worthy of preservation:

Copy of a Letter from Thomas Jefferson.[22]

Monticello, May 28, 1818.

Sir:—I thank you for the discourse on the consecration of the Synagogue in your city, with which you have been pleased to favor me. I have read it with pleasure and instruction, having learnt from it some valuable facts in Jewish history which I did not know before. Your sect by sufferings has furnished a remarkable proof of the universal spirit of religious intolerance inherent in every sect, disclaimed by all while feeble, and practiced by all when in power. Our laws have applied the only antidote to this vice, protecting our religious, as they do our civil rights, by putting all on an equal footing. But more remains to be done, for although we are free by the law, we are not so in practice; public opinion erects itself into an Inquisition, and exercises its office with as much fanaticism as fans the flames of anAuto-de-fe.

The prejudice still scowling on your section of our religion, although the elder one, cannot be unfelt by yourselves; it is to be hoped that individual dispositions will at length mould themselves to the model of the law, and consider the moral basis, on which all our religions rest, as the rallying point which unites them in a common interest; while the peculiar dogmas branching from it are the exclusive concern of the respective sects embracing them, and no rightful subject of notice to any other; public opinion needs reformation on that point, which would have the further happy effect of doing away the hypocritical maxim of "intus et lubet, foris ut moris." Nothing, I think, would be so likely to effect this, as to your sect particularly, as the more careful attention to education, which you recommend, and which, placing its members on the equal and commanding benches of science, will exhibit them as equal objects of respect and favor. I salute you with great respect and esteem.

(Signed)

Thomas Jefferson.

M. M. Noah, Esq.

Copy of a Letter from James Madison, Esq., on the same subject.

Montpelier, May, 15, 1818.

Sir:—I have received your letter of the 6th, with the eloquent discourse delivered at the consecration of the Synagogue. Having ever regarded the freedom of religious opinions and worship as equally belonging to every sect, and the secure enjoyment of it as the best human provision for bringing all, either into the same way of thinking, or into that mutual charity which is the only proper substitute, I observe with pleasure the view you give of the spirit in which your sect partake of the common blessings afforded by our Government and laws.

As your foreign mission took place whilst I was in the administration, it cannot but be agreeable to me to learn that your accounts have been closed in a manner so favorable to you.

(Signed)

James Madison.

Copy of a Letter from John Adams, Esq.

Quincy, July 31, 1818.

Sir:—Accept my best thanks for your polite and obliging favor of the 24th, and especially for the discourse inclosed. I know not when I have read a more liberal or more elegant composition.

You have not extended your ideas of the right of private judgment and the liberty of conscience, both in religion and philosophy, farther than I do. Mine are limited only by morals and propriety.

I have had occasion to be acquainted with several gentlemen of your nation, and to transact business with some of them, whom I found to be men of as liberal minds, as much honor, probity, generosity and good breeding, as any I have known in any sect of religion or philosophy.

I wish your nation may be admitted to all privileges of citizens in every country of the world. This country has done much. I wish it may do more, and annul every narrow idea in religion, government, and commerce. Let the wits joke; the philosopher sneer! What then? It has pleased the Provident of the 'first cause,' the universal cause, that Abraham should give religion, not only to Hebrews, but to Christians and Mahometans, the greatest part of the modern civilized world.

(Signed)

John Adams.

FOOTNOTE:[22]Travels in England, France, Spain and the Barbary States in the years 1813-14 and 15.By Mordecai M. Noah; New York and London, 1819. Appendix, pp. xxv and xxvi.

[22]Travels in England, France, Spain and the Barbary States in the years 1813-14 and 15.By Mordecai M. Noah; New York and London, 1819. Appendix, pp. xxv and xxvi.

The Statue of Jefferson.

[A paper read before the Jewish Historical Society, December 27, 1894, byLewis Abraham, Esq.]

In accordance with a resolution offered by Senator Justin S. Morrill, of Vermont, while he was a member of the House of Representatives, in 1864, "that each State should be permitted to send the effigies of two of her chosen sons, in marble or bronze, to be placed permanently here," the old Hall of Representatives is fast becoming an American memorial chamber.

Several statues, purchased by the United States, have been deposited there, and many of the States have taken advantage of the privilege and have honored their distinguished dead in the manner suggested by the resolution of Congress.

There is, however, one splendid work of art in the corridor that has a peculiar history. It was a gift to the Government. All the others have been paid for by Congress or the several State Legislatures. The bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson, by David d'Angers, a French sculptor, was presented to Congress by an Israelite, Lieutenant (afterward Commodore) Uriah Phillips Levy, of the United States Navy, in 1833, but was not formally accepted until forty years thereafter.

Originally it stood in the rotunda, but was removed from there and for many years remained in the grounds in front of the Presidential Mansion. After its acceptance in 1874, upon motion of Senator Sumner, it was finally located in its present position. It represents the author of the Declaration of Independence as just having signed that instrument of American Liberty. The pedestal is a superb piece of work, executed by Struthers, of Philadelphia, in four varieties of marble. It was the first piece of statuary ever owned by the Government, and is dedicated by the donor to his fellow citizens. Upon the scroll which Jefferson holds in his hand is engraved a verbatim copyof the Declaration of Independence, with fac-simile signatures of John Hancock and Thomas Jefferson.

The Levy family were intimate personal friends of the great framer of ourMagna Chartaand second President, and after his death became the owners of his old family seat, Monticello. There is a special significance in the gift and in the sentiment it conveys, and the co-religionists of Levy remember with pardonable pride that this piece of statuary, symbolizing the grand declaration of human equality and honoring one of the greatest of the men who erected the fabric of American Liberty, was the free-will offering of one of their people.

The commemoration of the first battle field of the Revolutionary War by a monument was made possible through a liberal contribution by Judah Touro. The proceedings of the Committee charged with the erection on Bunker Hill of a memorial to the patriots and heroes who laid the foundation of the Union, include a grateful acknowledgment of Touro's assistance.

The history of the monument, published by George Washington Warren, contains the following statement (page 283): "It was confidentially communicated to the Directors by Mr. William Appleton that whenever the Association, in addition to a like offer of Mr. Lawrence, should have money enough within ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to finish their work, Judah Touro would give that sum. It was a noble offer, and coming from a resident of a distant State, curiosity was excited."

Then follows a biographical sketch of this eminent citizen, concluding as follows: "He was one of that smallest of all classes into which mankind can be divided—of men who accumulate wealth without even doing a wrong, taking an advantage, or making an enemy; who become rich without being avaricious: who deny themselves the comforts of life, that they may acquire the means of promoting the comfort and elevating the condition of their fellowmen."

To complete the monument a fair (at which delegates from all the States attended) was held in Boston by ladies in aid of the building fund. The delegation from Louisiana, in their capacity as representatives of that State, purchased the finemodel of the monument which adorned the Charleston table and they caused it to be transported to New Orleans and to be placed, in honor of Judah Touro, in one of the public buildings where it remained until it was destroyed with the building by fire.

In the abstract of donations (page 311) received from private sources, the gross sum is stated as $55,153.27, of which Judah Touro donated $10,000.

At a meeting of the Board of Directors the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:

"Resolved, That the Directors receive the contribution of Mr. Touro with sentiments of deep and grateful respect, considering it as a testimonial of his regard for the principles and the contest for which, and its successful issue, the monument is intended to commemorate, and his affectionate recollection of the friends of his youth and the place of his early residence.

"Resolved, That John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, Joseph Story, Edward Everett and Franklin Dexter be appointed a committee to prepare an inscription for a tablet to be placed in the monument stating the object for which it is erected and recording the liberality of Judah Touro and Amos Lawrence, and the successful exertions of the daughters of those patriots whose memory we would perpetuate—donations and labor which have placed in the possession of the Directors a fund sufficient to complete this memorial of one of the most important events in the history of our country." (Page 312.)

On June 17, 1843, a banquet was held in Fanueil Hall, to celebrate the completion of the monument. Governor Marcus Morton, who was suffering from indisposition, was unable to attend, but sent a letter which was read. The two great benefactors of the Association were remembered by the following: (Page 330.)

"Amos and Judah, venerated names,Patriarch and Prophet press their equal claims,Like generous coursers running 'neck and neck,'Each aids the work by giving it acheck.Christian and Jew, they carry out one plan,For though of different faiths each is in heart a MAN."

One hundred years elapse, with their cares and joys, jeopardy and success, and America celebrates the centennial year of its existence by a grand exhibition in the city where is deposited the liberty bell that proclaimed "liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." The massive engine that moves obedient machinery sings a pæan to the Republic!

The nimble shuttle and the agile loom weave chaplets and trophies! Lightning-flashes leap from fathomless seas and speak with living fire congratulations of emperors, kings, and potentates! Human handicrafts, from Occident to Orient, delve and build, and fuse and shape tributes of felicitation to the glory and honor of praise, aye, even worship, of the land of Washington!

Fairmount Park blazes with the light of human advancement in science and art, literature, education and religion; and, with humility be it stated, no portion of God's footstool is more to be credited with aiding and nurturing the progress of the century than the land of Washington and Jefferson and Franklin.

There, on the Centennial grounds, the Israelites of the United States, through one of their organizations, "the Sons of the Covenant," placed their homage. It is in the shape of a group of statuary in Carrara marble styled

It was executed in Rome, by one of their own people, Moses Ezekiel, a native of Richmond, Virginia. Upon the pedestal is an inscription, neither narrow in scope nor sectarian in spirit. The promoters of this tribute felt the eloquence of the Bill of Human Rights they desired to typify, and simply transcribed the clause of the Constitution which reads:

Congress Shall Make no Law Respectingan Establishment of Religion or Prohibitingthe free Exercise Thereof.

An eminent and thoughtful foreigner, a statesman of world-wide fame, passing through Fairmount Park, earnestly gazedat the marble group, and exclaimed: "If the Centennial Exhibition of 1876 resulted in this work of art and did nothing else, the American people should be satisfied. I, the subject of a monarch, salute the Nation that makes this creation possible."[23]

FOOTNOTE:[23]The statue of Religious Liberty was erected by the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith, pursuant to the resolution to that effect, adopted by the General Convention of the Order at Chicago in 1874. Of that Convention Hon. Simon Wolf was President, and the adoption of the measure by the Convention, as well as the eventual success of the undertaking through the active support of the various lodges, were due mainly to Mr. Wolf's indefatigable efforts.—Ed.

[23]The statue of Religious Liberty was erected by the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith, pursuant to the resolution to that effect, adopted by the General Convention of the Order at Chicago in 1874. Of that Convention Hon. Simon Wolf was President, and the adoption of the measure by the Convention, as well as the eventual success of the undertaking through the active support of the various lodges, were due mainly to Mr. Wolf's indefatigable efforts.—Ed.

It is questionable whether the Jewish population of the American Union kept pace with the general increase during the time from the close of the Revolutionary struggle to the middle of the present century. Certain it is that at a comparatively developed period, in 1824, Solomon Etting estimated the Jewish population of Maryland as "at least 150," and that of the United States as "at least 6000,"[24]while another experienced publicist, Isaac Harby, estimates it, as we have seen, (note, page12), at "not over 6000" in 1826. Up to the close of the Eighteenth Century the Jewish immigrants to this side of the Atlantic were derived almost entirely from the Sephardic stock, mainly indeed from England and Holland and their colonial dependencies, and these, from the comparative paucity of numbers at their source, could not, in the very nature of things, have been very numerous. Of the Jewish colonists of the time of the Revolution, some, who had remained loyal to the mother country, went back to England or to the West Indies after the war was over, and the number of these, though quite limited, was but little overbalanced by the new arrivals. The emigration of the German Jews remained altogether sporadic throughout the period of the Napoleonic wars, because of the almost insuperable obstacles which hindered their departure, and for a time thereafter they were content to remain at home in view of the great political concessions which they had gained from the German rulers in return for their valor and heroic sacrifices in defense of the fatherland. The increase of the Jewish population in this country was thus limited mainly to the surplus of births over deaths until some timeafter the close of the War of 1812. In the course of the reaction against the innovations of liberalism which ensued after 1820, the hardly-gained political rights of the German Jews were gradually curtailed or entirely withdrawn, and at this time the Jews of the German maritime cities began to emigrate to the United States in increasing numbers. It was not, however, until after the revolution of 1848 and the beginning of steam navigation on the Atlantic, that any considerable exodus took place. At the time of the Mexican War, in 1846, the Jewish population of the United States was probably not greater in proportion than that estimated for the period of the Revolutionary War. In point of fact, at the time of the second war with Great Britain, and likewise also at the date of the Mexican War, the Jewish element composed as yet only a minute fraction of the general population, and no very considerable number of Jewish names are to be looked for in the army lists of those two wars. At the same time it remains to be added that the lists here given for both the wars referred to are not at all complete, comprising for the most part only the names of such individuals as left notable evidence of their presence in the ranks.

PrivateJacob Appel,

served in Captain Samuel Borden's Company, 4th Detachment, Pennsylvania.

PrivateJacob Bachmanand

PrivateSamuel Bachman,

served in Captain Peter Nungesser's Company, 2nd Regiment, Volunteer Light Infantry, Pennsylvania.

Brigadier-GeneralJoseph Bloomfield,

in command of Military District No. 4, embracing Pennsylvania, Delaware and Western New Jersey.[His military record is included in the list of Jewish soldiers in the American Revolutionary War].

in command of Military District No. 4, embracing Pennsylvania, Delaware and Western New Jersey.

[His military record is included in the list of Jewish soldiers in the American Revolutionary War].

Israel I. Cohen

was a member of Captain Nicholson's Company of Maryland Fencibles, and served in the defense of Fort McHenry.

Mendes I. Cohen,

brother of the above, volunteered for the defense of Baltimore and also served at Fort McHenry during the memorable bombardment.

SergeantSamuel Goodman,

served in Captain George Zieber's Company, 1st Regiment, 2nd Brigade, Pennsylvania, under Lieutenant-Colonel Jeremiah Shappel.

Second LieutenantBenjamin Gratz

served in company of Pennsylvania Volunteers commanded by Captain John Swift, 1813.

CorporalAbraham Gunsenhouser,

served in Captain Jacob Wentz's Company—3d Company, 52d Regiment, Pennsylvania.

PrivateJacob Haas

served in Captain George Dinckey's Company, 18th Section of Riflemen from Pennsylvania.

Jacob Hays, } father and son served in N. Y. commands.Benjamin Hays, }

PrivateEzekiel Jacobs

served in Captain Florence Cotter's Company, 1st Detachment, 1st Brigade, Pennsylvania.

PrivateHenry Loeb.

served in Captain Jacob Ashey's Company, 1st Regiment of Pennsylvania.

First LieutenantIsaac Mertz

served in Captain Middleswarth's Company, Battalion of Riflemen from Pennsylvania.

LieutenantDavid Metzler

CorporalDaniel Metzler

served in Captain Nicholas Beckwith's (Fifth Battalion) Company from Pennsylvania.

PrivateJoseph Metzgar

served in Captain Adam Diller's Company, 2nd Brigade, Pennsylvania.

EnsignSamuel Meyer

served in Captain George Hess's Company of Riflemen from Northampton County, Pennsylvania.

PrivateJacob Miller

served in Captain Nickolaus Derr's Company, 101st Regiment, from Pennsylvania.

PrivateJacob Miller

served in Captain John Christian's Company, 2nd Regiment from Pennsylvania.

PrivateAbraham Mitchell

served in the Pennsylvania line.

Myer Mordecai

served among Pennsylvania Volunteers.

PrivateIsaac Moser

served in Captain John Christian's Company, 2nd Regiment from Pennsylvania.

SergeantJacob Moser

served in Captain J. Bakeoven's Company, 2nd Brigade, from Pennsylvania.

CaptainMyer Moses

was commissioned from South Carolina.

CaptainMordecai Myers,

13th Pennsylvania Infantry; wounded at Chrysler's Field.

ColonelNathan Myers

was in command of a brigade stationed near the City of New York.

AdjutantIsaac Myers

served in 1st Regiment of Pennsylvania.

Jonas Phillips

served in Captain John Linton's Company in the Battalion of Philadelphia Militia, under Colonel William Bradford, Pennsylvania.

Joseph Phillips

served in the Pennsylvania line.

PrivateSamuel Phillips

served in Captain Florence Cotter's Company, 1st Detachment of 1st Brigade, Pennsylvania.

PrivateJacob Rosensteel

served in Captain John Williamson's Company, 2nd Brigade, Pennsylvania Militia, under Brigadier-General Richard Crooks.

David G. Seixas

served from Pennsylvania. He was instrumental in founding the Pennsylvania Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, and won esteem by his philanthropy. [A sketch of his career is published elsewhere in this work.]

PrivateAbraham Shatz

served in Captain George Zieber's Company, 1st Regiment, 2nd Brigade, Pennsylvania, under Lieutenant-Colonel Jeremiah Shappel.

PrivateSigfried Solomon

served in Captain George Dinckey's Company, 18th Section of Riflemen, from Pennsylvania.

Judah Touro

enlisted as a volunteer in the American Army, under General Andrew Jackson; was severely wounded in the battle of New Orleans, January 1, 1815; rendered many services as patriot and philanthropist, as detailed elsewhere in this work.

PrivateSamuel Wamserand PrivateMichael Wolf

served in Captain George Zieber's Company, 1st Regiment, 2nd Brigade, Pennsylvania, under Lieutenant-Colonel Jeremiah Shappel.

CorporalSamuel Weiss

served in Captain John M. Buckius's Company, 2nd Brigade, Pennsylvania.

PrivateJacob Wolf

served in Captain Samuel Wilson's Company of Militia, from Buck's County, Pennsylvania.

PrivateJacob Wolf

served in Captain John Christian's Company, 2nd Regiment, from Pennsylvania.

Isaac De Young

Company A, 3d New Jersey Artillery, enlisted when only a boy; wounded in the groin at Lundy's Lane in a bayonet charge.

PrivateAbraham Yuxsheimer

served in Captain Nickolaus Derr's Company, 101st Regiment, from Pennsylvania.

SergeantAbraham Adler,

New York Volunteers; killed in action.

Samuel Bein.

First LieutenantLevi Benjamin, Maryland Militia, 1846.

Eugene Joseph Chimene,

served with Sam Houston, in the Texan War.

SergeantJacob David, New York Volunteers.

Joseph Davis, Co. D, 12th Regiment.

GeneralDavid De Leon

was born in South Carolina in 1822. In the Mexican War he twice took the places of commanding officers who had been killed or disabled by wounds. He acted with such gallantry and ability as to twice receive the thanks of the United States Congress. In February, 1861, he resigned his rank as Surgeon and Major in the United States Army and was appointed first Surgeon General of the Armies of the Confederacy.

ColonelLeon Dyer,

Quartermaster-General of the State of Louisiana; subsequently held the same rank under General Winfield Scott.

Gabriel Dropsie, Co. E, 1st Pennsylvania Regiment.

Herman Ehrenberg

fought under Fannin at Goliad.

Albert Emanuel,

in Captain Kimball's Company, 2d Regiment of Texas Volunteer Cavalry.

S. Eytinge, Maryland Militia, 1846.

Marcus Flendrowitz,

wounded in action.

David Friedman.

Third Lieutenant ——Goldsmith, Maryland Militia, 1846.

James Hart, New York Volunteers.

William Hart, New York Volunteers;

lost a leg at Cherubusco.

SergeantMarx M. Hart, New York Volunteers.

SergeantJoseph Henriques, New York Volunteers.

SergeantSamuel Henry, New York Volunteers.

CorporalJacob Hirschhorn, 1st New York Volunteers.

SurgeonJ. Horwitz, Maryland Militia, 1846.

Philip Horwitz.

ColonelS. M. Hyams.

Samuel Isaacs, Texas Army, 1836-1837 (Co. D, 10th Infantry.)

Edward J. Johnson

volunteered in Captain King's Company during Texas revolution; killed at Goliad, March 27, 1836.

Mark Kahn, New York Volunteers.

Davis S. Kauffman,

aide to General Douglas, wounded at the battle of Neches; was Speaker of the Texas Assembly and advocated its annexation; was member of Congress from Texas from date of annexation (1846) to his death in 1851.

Nathan Klugan.

—— Kohn, Texas Spy Company (at San Jacinto).

D. I. Kokernot,

fought at Anahuac; also at the Grass battles, 1835, and in Texan War, 1836.

Jacob Leva, New York Volunteers.

William Malloy Levi.

Surgeon-GeneralMoses Albert Levy,

in Sam Houston's Army, in service throughout the Texas-Mexican War. Colonel Johnson's report of the capture of San Antonio, December 15, 1835, stated: "Doctors Levy and Pollard deserve my warmest praise for their unremitted attention and assiduity."

DoctorIsaac Lyons,

of Charleston, served as Surgeon-General under General Tom Green, in the Texan War of 1836.

Benjamin H. Mordecai,

served under General Fannin.

Lieutenant-ColonelIsrael Moses,

promoted from Assistant Surgeon; served also in Civil War.

M. K. Moses,

served under General Fannin.

John Myers, New York Volunteers.

Philip Myers, New York Volunteers.

Sopphe Myers, New York Volunteers.

Otto Neubauer, New York Volunteers.

Henry Phillips, New York Volunteers.

George Riell, New York Volunteers.

Elias Schoenberg.

LieutenantHenry Seeligson,

Galveston Cadets, was appointed First Lieutenant of that Company when the Mexican invasion of Galveston was threatened. In the Mexican War of 1846 he enlisted in Captain McLean's Company, and subsequently volunteered in Captain Bell's Regiment, which was ordered to join the command of General Taylor, en route for Monterey. He bore so conspicuous a part in the battle at that point that he was sent for by General Taylor and highly complimented; being offered a Lieutenancy in the 2d Dragoons. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in the Confederate Army, joining a Cavalry Company commanded by Captain Woodward.

Henry Siesel.

Alexander Simm, New York Volunteers.

Second LieutenantJoseph Simpson, Maryland Militia, 1846.

Jacob C. Somers, New York Volunteers.

Assistant SurgeonHenry H. Steiner,

with rank of Captain.

Adolphus Sterne,

joined the American settlers in their early struggles against the Mexicans; took part in the Fredonian War; he was captured by the Mexicans and sentenced to be shot, but was subsequently released. He served in both lower and upper Houses of the Texas Legislature, previous to annexation.

Seligman Strauss.

CaptainMichael Sztyfft,

served on the staff of General Zachary Taylor.

J. Valentine, Palmetto Regiment, South Carolina.

SergeantAlexander B. Weinberg, New Jersey Battalion.

Henry Wiener,

fought in the battle of Buena Vista.

A. Wolf,

killed at the storming of the Alamo, in the Texan War, December, 1835.

FOOTNOTE:[24]Replies to inquiries of Colonel W. G. Worthington, quoted by the latter in his advocacy of the enfranchisement of the Jews of Maryland. ("Speeches on the Jew Bill in the House of Delegates of Maryland," by H. M. Brackenridge, Philadelphia, 1829).

[24]Replies to inquiries of Colonel W. G. Worthington, quoted by the latter in his advocacy of the enfranchisement of the Jews of Maryland. ("Speeches on the Jew Bill in the House of Delegates of Maryland," by H. M. Brackenridge, Philadelphia, 1829).

The following list comprises names of Jewish soldiers on the rolls of the standing army of the United States, from the earliest period of the Republic to our present time. It is more or less incomplete, as only those have been included whose identity has been sufficiently established.

The roster includes the names of men in every branch of the service, many with a distinguished and all of them with honorable records.

E. Abraham, Co. H, 16th Regiment.

SurgeonMorris Joseph Asch,

brevetted Captain and Major for meritorious services; served in all from August 5, 1861 to March 31, 1873.

Post SurgeonDaniel M. Appel,

with rank of Captain; entered army in 1876, and now in service.

Assistant SurgeonAaron H. Appel,

with rank of Captain; entered army in 1887.

J. Bergman, Co. B, 1st Dragoons.

David Behrenberg, 18th Infantry;

served five years.

Assistant SurgeonM. Block, 14th Infantry.

W. Blondheim, Co. B, 14th Infantry.

William Harris Boas, Co. I, 3d Infantry.

Alexander Borg, 2d Infantry.

Isaac H. Brandon, 12th Infantry.

I. M. Brandon, 12th Infantry.

----Chappell, Co. C, 10th Infantry.

A. E. Cohen, Co. G, 17th Infantry.

George Cohen, 7th Infantry.

Herman Cohen, 13th Infantry.

LieutenantHyman Cohen.

Joseph Cohen, Co. F, 1st Artillery.

Leopold Cohen, general service.

Morris Cohen, War Department.

SergeantMorris Cohen, 3d Dragoons,

enlisted as Private.

R. P. Cohen, 5th Infantry.

Benjamin David, Co. I, 2nd Artillery.

Henry M. Davis, 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry.

SurgeonAbraham Deleon.

Simon H. De Young, 4th Infantry.

Brevet Lieutenant-ColonelFranx Mark Etting,

served from 1861 to 1868. Chief Paymaster of the Army from 1864 to 1867.

Brevet CaptainD. I. Ezekiel, 4th Infantry,

Promoted from private on account of bravery displayed in battle; was seriously wounded.

Max Feldman, 2nd Artillery.

Jacob Gabriel, 5th Artillery,

killed at Cedar Mountain.

S. Gerstman,

served five years.

N. Gleiser, Co. G, 10th Infantry.

Charles Goldsmith, 8th Infantry.

Ellis M. Gotthold,

1st Artillery. Served five years; mustered out as Corporal; the recipient of a medal from the Chamber of Commerce, New York City.

LieutenantHarry J. Hirsch,

entered army in 1891; now in service.

Theodore Joseph, Co. H, 10th Infantry.

C. G. Jacobs, 13th Infantry.

Jacob Jacobson.

Michael Jacobson, Ordnance Corps.

Oscar Jacoby, 2nd Artillery.

----Kosminski.

Max Leppowitz, Co. B, 14th Artillery.

Benjamin Levi, Co. B, 14th Artillery.

CaptainChapman Levy.

Henry J. Levy, Hospital Steward.

John Levy, 19th Infantry.

Albert Lieber, 10th Infantry.

Aaron Livingstin, 2nd Infantry.

A. Mantner, 4th Artillery.

Simon Marks,

served in General Custer's Cavalry Division.

MajorAbraham A. Massias,

1st Lieutenant of Riflemen, 1808; Captain, 1809, afterwards Major; promoted Paymaster in United States Army in 1820.

H. Mendel, Co. A, 4th Cavalry.

M. Mendel,

served thirty years in the United States Army, retiring as Quartermaster Sergeant.

Heinrich Meerholz, Co. D, 10th Infantry.

CaptainOtto E. Michaeles, Ordnance Department.

C. Miltenberger, Co. B, 9th Infantry.

SurgeonPhilip Minis.

MajorAlfred Mordecai,

a recognized authority in the military world in the field of scientific research, and in the practical application of mechanical science to the art of war; he served in the Mexican War, and was sent by our Government, together withGeneral George B. McClellan, and Major Richard Delafield, to witness and report upon the operations in the Crimea. Major Mordecai was the author of "Reports of Experiments on Gunpowder," an "Ordnance Manual," and other works.

ColonelAlfred Mordecai, Jr.,

entered the army as Lieutenant in 1861; served in Civil War in various capacities; has been an instructor at the Military Academy, West Point; promoted for meritorious and faithful services; is now in command of National Armory, at Springfield, Massachusetts.

J. F. Moses, Battery A, 4th U. S. Artillery.

A. S. Nelson, Co. G, 15th Infantry.

1st LieutenantGeorge J. Newgarden, M. D., now in service.

Michael Newman, 5th Cavalry.

Moses Newman, 13th Infantry.

CadetSamuel Noah, 1st Artillery.

Julius Oppenheimer, F, 5th Artillery.

LieutenantLouis Ostheim,

entered army in 1883; has been in command of various forts and now in service.

SergeantOscar Pollack, 2nd Cavalry,

served nine years; enlisted as private; wounded; killed in the fight with the Sioux at Wounded Knee.

Sergeant ——Pollock, 7th Cavalry.

Killed at Wounded Knee.

George Poppers, 3d Infantry.

Max Reece, Co. B, 4th Artillery.

A note attached to his discharge reads: "A sober, faithful, intelligent, brave and excellent soldier."

1st SergeantSamuel Reis, Company C, U. S. Cavalry.

Served ten years. Discharged for disability to serve any longer.

Adolph Ressie, Co. K, 10th Infantry.

Isaac Rice, 10th Infantry.

D. S. Rœdelsheimer.

E. Rose, 10th Infantry.

----Rosenfeld, Co. C, 10th Infantry.

David Rosenheim, 1st Infantry.

John Rosenthal, Ordnance Corps.

Nathan Schœnfarber, Co. G, 14th Infantry.

Elias Schumacher, Co. C, 2nd Infantry.

Isaac Smith, Co. H, 11th Infantry.

J. Sommer, Co. E, 4th Infantry.

Major and PaymasterJustus Steinberger.

[SeeRecord in Civil War List.]

Julius Steinmeyer, 7th Infantry.

Joseph Sturmer, Co. G, 10th Infantry.

SurgeonG. Waage.

Israel Waterman,

in Civil War; transferred from ranks of 40th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers November 9, 1862.

Meyer Weiler, Co. A, 13th Infantry.

Marcus Weiler, Co. F, 13th Infantry,

wounded at Vicksburg.

Joseph Wenk, —— Cavalry.

Wilem West, Fort Lyon, Colorado.

discharged for disability incurred in service—(1882-1884).

Emanuel Wodick, Co. K, 10th Infantry.

Adam Wolf, 2nd Infantry.

Isaac Wolf.

L. W. Worstman,

Chief Telegraph Operator, Military Department.

The spirit of devotion to this country and its interests always manifested by its Jewish inhabitants has not failed to leave its impress on the rolls of the United States Navy. From the time of the organization of that branch of the national defense many Jews have been present in the service. That they did their full duty the records indisputably show, and from the man before the mast to flag officer, from stoker to chief engineer, sons of Israel have given their efforts in behalf of the American cause. At the time of our Civil War their ranks were especially reinforced, and at the present day a considerable number of Jews are at posts of duty on the vessels of our navy.

Instances of personal distinction on the part of these defenders are numerous, but specific reference need here be made only to the great advance accomplished by Uriah Phillips Levy in behalf at once of the Navy and of humanity at large, by the abolition through his influence of the degrading practice of corporal punishment in the navy of the United States. He had long opposed the brutal system of flogging, and when promoted to the position of Flag Officer—the highest rank registered before the Civil War—he used his authority to promote the self-respect and well being of the sailors of his fleet. The records of others besides Commodore Levy are creditable in a high degree, and all comprised in the list are examples of men who devote to the cause in which they are enlisted "their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor."

S. American, U. S. Gunboat Seneca.

Benjamin Abrahams, Acting Assistant Paymaster.

Simon Arnbach, Mexican War.

Solomon Asher, U. S. Gunboat Wissahickon,

promoted to Acting Assistant Yeoman (1862-1863).

PaymasterJonas Barnett, U. S. Steamer Essex,

lost his life by falling from the rigging of his vessel while at sea.

LieutenantHenry Barnett.

MajorDavid M. Cohen,

fourteen years an officer of the U. S. Marine Corps; appointed Lieutenant, 1855, subsequently appointed Major and placed on retired list on account of physical disability.

Jacob da Silva Solis Cohen,

Acting Assistant Surgeon under Rear-Admiral S. F. Du Pont (1861-1864).

MidshipmanJoseph Cohen(1826).

Gustave Duval, U. S. Steamer Pawnee.

William Durst, U. S. Monitor,

one of the few survivors of the memorable fight between the Monitor and the Merrimac. Admiral Worden expressed himself that Durst was not only a brave, fearless and patriotic man, but eminently worthy to be recognized by some action on the part of Congress (1862-1864).

Charles Edelman, U. S. Steamer Ohio.

Jonathan Manly Emanuel,

Past Assistant Engineer, served under Commodore Mead. Twice shipwrecked (1862-1891).

PurserGratz Etting.

CaptainHenry Etting,

entered as Midshipman, promoted to Purser, Navy Paymaster and retired with the rank of Captain—1818-1861.

LieutenantTheodore Minis Etting,

was appointed Acting Midshipman when a little over sixteen years old, promoted Midshipman, Ensign, Navy Paymaster, Lieutenant (1862-1877).

Acting EnsignIsaac N. Goldsmith,

Mate, Acting Ensign (1863-1865).

MateNathan A. Goldsmith,

(1864-1866).

Jerome Haas.

LieutenantE. C. Hamburger;

promoted step by step, finally commissioned Lieutenant.

CaptainLevi Myers Harby(1793-1870).

At the age of fourteen he was Midshipman in the U. S. Navy. During the War of 1812-1814, he was captured by the British and confined for eighteen months in "Dartmoor Prison," from which he finally escaped by swimming. In December, 1823, he served as sailing-master on the U. S. Vessel Beagle. He served for fifty-two years under the U. S. flag and rose to the rank of Captain. He participated in the Texan War of Independence and in the Mexican War. He also served in the Seminole War of Florida, and had command of a vessel in the expedition against the pirates of Algiers and Tripoli. On leave of absence he also fought in the Bolivian War of Independence. In 1861 he resigned his commission and entered the Confederate service with the rank of Commodore, distinguishing himself as Commander of the Neptune, capturing the Harriet Lane at Galveston, Texas. He was subsequently in command of a fleet of Confederate gunboats on the Sabine River.

Solomon Harby,

died in the service.

J. Harrison, U. S. Steamer North Carolina.

Samuel Herford, U. S. Steamers Richmond and Wyoming.

Frederic D. Henriques,

Acting Second Assistant Engineer (1864-1865).

MidshipmanIsrael Israel,

midshipman (1813-1818).

MidshipmanJoseph Israel,

distinguished himself, died in the service (1801-1804).

Jacob Jacobs, U. S. Steamer Portsmouth,

was on board the Ida when she was blown up by a torpedo.

Augustus Jacobson,

transferred from Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment.

Midshipman and MasterHenry M. Jacoby, Shenandoah, Wachusett, Worcester, Yantic, Lackawanna (1866-1883).

SurgeonGershom R. Jacques,

promoted from Surgeon's Mate to Surgeon (1800-1808).

MateSamuel Jessurun(1863-1864).

S. S. Krauss, U. S. Steamer Raritan,

served four years.

C. C. Keane.

David J. King, U. S. Steamer Wissahickon.

Isaac M. King.

Nathan Lang.

Alexander A. Lazarus, U. S. Steamer Horace Beals, also Rhode Island.

Henry Levi, U. S. Steamer Princeton,

transferred to New Ironsides, Vandalia, etc. (1862-1865).

MasterMears Levy(1812-1813).

Second Assistant EngineerCharles H. Levy(1857-1861).

MateCharles Levin(1870-1874),

died during his service.

M. Lindheim, Pocahontas.

Henry Lyons.

CommodoreUriah Phillips Levy,

one of the best known American naval officers of former days. At the time of his death, 1862, he was the highest ranking officer in the U. S. Navy. He served in the War of 1812, being the master of the brig of war Argus, which ran the blockade to France with Mr. Crawford, the American Minister to that country, on board. The Argus destroyed twenty-one British merchantmen. In recognition of his valuable services to the nation the Common Council of New York City honored him with "the freedom of the city." Commodore Levy vigorously opposed the application of the lash to seamen. Upon his tombstone at Cypress Hill is recorded the fact that "he was the father of the law for the abolition of the barbarous practice of corporal punishment in the U. S. Navy."

CaptainJonas P. Levy,

commanded the U. S. Steamer America during the Mexican War and was active in the transportation of U. S. troops to Vera Cruz. At the surrender of that port he was appointed its captain by General Winfield Scott.

Marx Maas, U. S. Gunboat No. 29.

Jacob Maas, Gunboat.

A. Meyer.

Horace Moses,

served in the U. S. fleet during the Mexican War and was Secretary to Captain (afterwards Admiral) S. P. Lee.

Florian Moss,

on Commodore S. F. Du Pont's blockading squadron Vermont and Massachusetts (1862-1865).

MidshipmanPhilip Moses.

Joseph Moss,

Mate and Acting Ensign, (1861-1863).

Acting MasterEdward Moses,

(1862-1864); died while in service.

William Noah.

Louis Newberger, U. S. Gunboat Pawpaw.

Joseph B. Nones, Guerriere.

In 1814, when seventeen years of age, he accompanied Henry Clay, Gallatin and John Quincy Adams on the Frigate John Adams to Europe on the Ghent Mission; severely wounded and obliged to resign from the service (1812-1822).

MasterNewman Morris(1801-1803).

CaptainHenry Benjamin Nones, Revenue Marine,

promoted from 3d Lieutenant; served from 1831; died in 1868.

Chief EngineerHenry Beauchamp Nones,

served on various vessels; rose from Second Assistant Engineer; has served since 1853.

MidshipmanJefferson H. Nones, 1840-1846.

Second Assistant EngineerWashington H. Nones(1850-1853),

died while in service.

MidshipmanAbram Phillips(1812-1813).

Drowned, 1813.

PaymasterEmanuel J. Phillips.

CaptainIsaac Phillips(1798-1799).

Assistant SurgeonManuel Phillips(1809-1824).

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