FRANCOIS-XAVIER SENECAL -- 192ndINFANTRYAt 16 years old and 5' 1½" tall, Francois Xavier "Zephy" Senecal, whowas born in Plattsburgh, decided it was his last chance to "see theelephant." Seeing the elephant was Civil War slang for seeing battle orcombat or being under enemy fire.Zephy enlisted on March 13, 1865 and was mustered into the 192ndInfantry with more than 100 men from the Plattsburgh area on April3rd, in Albany. He was assigned to Company I, which was one of thelast companies to be sent to the field with the 3rd Brigade, 3rdDivision of the Army of the Potomac. By the time he got to the field,the war was over, and he never did get to "see the elephant." Theregiment performed clean-up and guard duties in the Shenandoah Valleyuntil they were mustered out at Cumberland, MD, on August 28, 1865.Zephy returned to the home of his parents, Louis Senecal and HenriettaMenard, while they were living in Beekmantown. Louis was keeper of theClinton County Poor House.The Troy Times of October 19, 1923, carried his obituary -- Zeph Senecalfor fifty-eight years a resident of this city, died yesterday at hisresidence, 85 Oneida Street. He was a native of Plattsburgh but came toCohoes as a young man. For about 25 years, he was employed as bosscarpenter at the Harmony Mills, later being in the employ of the MaddenLumber Company in Troy. He was a veteran of the Civil War and a memberof N. G. Lyons Post, G. A. R. On April 12, 1864, he enlisted in CompanyI, 192nd New York Volunteers, serving until March 12, 1865. He becamea life member of the Grand Army of the Republic in1888 and always tookan active interest in the affairs of that organization. Four daughtersand five sons survive him, also five brothers, Alfred Senecal ofWoonsocket, RI: Joseph Senecal of Bridgeport, CT and Eli, Peter andEdward Senecal of Plattsburgh.The military record is a little mixed up -- the 192nd Infantry wasn'teven formed until 1865. We hope the rest of the article is correct.
