Читать книгу The History of Orange County New York - Группа авторов - Страница 18

At Newport News they went into camp on a large plantation, waited for the rest of the army a few days, and marched with it to Yorktown. Here the men on picket line were almost constantly under fire, and all were kept in a fever of excitement by the roar of cannon and cracks of rifles along the whole line from river to river, day and night.

The first real baptism of fire experienced by the 56th was on April 16th, when a large force of the enemy came out and fell on the left of the division near Lee's Mills. The rebels were repulsed, and the officers commended the men of the regiment for their courage and steadiness under fire. May 5th they had more fighting experience after a swift march of the day before to the front of Fort McGruder in the suburbs of Williamsburgh. Here they took part in a charge on their enemies with fixed bayonets, which caused the latter to flee in confusion leaving many dead and wounded and about 600 prisoners. They remained in line of battle all night, standing in deep mud, and drenched by a drizzling rain. When, the next afternoon, they were each given three biscuits of hardtack it was the first food they had eaten in two days, and ended the first experience of intense gnawing hunger with the most of them. May 9th they followed the retreating rebels over roads deep with mud, exchanging shots with them day after day, sleeping on the ground at night, wading streams waist-deep sometimes, with little to eat, and much of the time only what they could jayhawk. May 19th they drove the enemy across the Chickahominy at a point opposite Richmond, and as all the bridges had been destroyed, waded the next day across the Oozy river without much opposition, and waited for the rest of the corps, which followed in three days, and crossed the river on a bridge which had meanwhile been constructed for them. During the next three days the regiment was kept on the move making reconnaissances and scouting, and scouted to within four miles of the city of Richmond.

May 28th the 56th found itself assigned with Casey's division to a position on the right of the Williamsburgh turnpike, remained on picket till sometime after the attack of the 31st and captured a number of the enemy's skirmishers. Later, when the two lines of battle were formed, it was placed to support Spratt's battery, but the battery's captain relieved it and left the division lying on the ground exposed to the plunging fire of the enemy's artillery, which killed the men "at a fearful rate." They then formed in the edge of the woods, and there fought two hours, and Colonel Van Wyck was wounded in the leg by a piece of shell. The division that day opposed a force of 30,000, and held the line. Three times the enemy charged to within reach of their bayonets, and each time was driven back. The division made one of the most bloody and obstinate fights of the war, and lost nearly half of its men, but, it was believed, saved the army of the Potomac from great disaster.

Then to Malvern Hill. On July 1 the division, after a tedious march, lay down on the hill near a large house, and there all day witnessed the cannonading of 160 Union guns, expecting every moment to be ordered to assist in the frequent fierce assaults made by the Army of Virginia in three divisions, "only to be torn in pieces and hurled back again to the cover of the woods by the awful storm of shot and shell and volleys of the infantry supports." But the brigade was not moved from its reserved position until late in the afternoon, when it was sent to the southern slope of the hill, and on the 2nd acted as rear guard of the whole retreating army, being in charge of the artillery and wagon trains. The enemy's advance attacked it at Carter's Hill, but was repulsed. The next day breastworks were thrown up, and the army rested. On July 7th the men were cheered by a visit and praise from President Lincoln. It was thought that the army would move forward and capture Richmond, but General McClellan received orders to withdraw by way of Aquia Creek and attack Richmond from the Rappahannock. The Chickahominy was crossed October 16 in weather so hot that large numbers of the officers and men dropped by the wayside exhausted, and that night when the regiment bivouacked not more than 100 men stacked arms, and hardly an officer except the mounted ones was with them. Key's corps, including the 56th Regiment, was left at Yorktown to cover the embarkation. The Peninsula campaign was ended.

General Naglee's brigade remained in and about Yorktown for sometime, doing picket duty and demolishing earthworks. On December 11 it went on a raid into Gloucester, Kings and Queens Counties, and brought back horses, mules, cattle, sheep and fowls. The brigade marched all night closely followed by the enemy, the 56th doing excellent service as the rear guard. On December 29th the brigade embarked on steamer for Morehead City, N. C., and went from there to Newbern, near which it remained two weeks. On January 8, 1863, orders were read informing the men of the 56th that their regiment had been attached to the 18th Corps, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, with General Naglee as division commander, and Colonel Davis of the 104th Pa. as the brigade commander. General Naglee, on taking leave, issued an order naming the important events in the history of the brigade in which it acted a conspicuous part, and which should be inscribed upon the regimental banners. The 56th was included in all of them.

General Naglee also characterized the work and behavior of the brigade in each of the events.

In connection with the preparations to attack Charleston the brigade went to St. Helena Island and waited there until about April 1st. Thence to woods near the shore of Edisto Harbor, where monitors and gunboats lay at anchor, and covered its landing by shelling the woods. After landing it followed the retreating enemy, and some of the men were wounded. While in camp here it was several times attacked in night forays and some of its picket men captured. Here the 56th was temporarily brigaded with that of General Howell in General Terry's division, under General Gilmore of the Tenth Corps. On July 16th, this division, 4,000 strong, was attacked by a superior force of Georgia troops, but with the aid of the gunboats they were driven off with a loss of 200 prisoners. Soon afterward the division went to Folly Island, and here, while the bombardment of Forts Wagner and Gregg was in progress, the men were engaged in arduous duties and got but little rest. August 16 they sailed to Beaufort, S. C., and went into camp, with the regiment sadly reduced in numbers and many sick. They remained there till September 3, 1864, with the exception of an expedition to John's Island in July.

In February, 1864, the regiment veteranized,{sic} the most of the men re-enlisting, and was mustered in as a veteran regiment February 29. In March it went north on a furlough and returned May 18, commanded by Colonel Tyler. During its stay at Beaufort about 400 new men had been recruited for it by officers sent north. The regiment went from Beaufort to John's Island, near Charleston, July 1st, and here became a part of J. P. Hatch's division. On July 4th it had the most trying march of the year on account of the extreme heat and the soft sand. Many of the men were sun-struck, and some of them died. The march was continued the next morning to within seven miles of Charleston, when, hearing that rebel cavalry were in their rear, they were ordered back. The next day they started again for the front, and had to do some fighting. July 9th they were attacked by the rebels in force in a dense fog. A surprise was intended, but the rebels were met with volleys of grape and canister, and were twice repulsed. On July 10th, the regiment went back to Beaufort, and the St. John's expedition passed into history. It was regarded as the most exciting and perilous scouting expedition the regiment was ever engaged in, but its object was accomplished. It remained at Beaufort until September 3, when it moved over to Morris Island and assisted in the siege of Charleston. Here the men could see every shot from their batteries that struck Fort Sumter, and the firing was kept up night and day. The heat was extreme, the whole island was covered with shifting sand, which filled eyes, ears and hair, the heavy fogs at night were like a drenching rain, and all the while they were under the fire of the rebel forts and batteries, shells from which burst over their heads; but they had the compensation of seeing their own shells burst in the city of Charleston.

Many of the men became afflicted with scurvy, and the effective force of the regiment was reduced to 600 men, one-half of whom were detailed each day and night for field duty. Otherwise their duties were severe, and in October the nights became very cold, and, being without fuel, caused them much suffering. They remained there until November 27, when they were taken to Boyd's Point, and the next morning were marched by General Potter toward Honey Hill, where they were surprised by a concealed rebel battery, and there was a bloody fight in which the 56th lost fifty men in killed and wounded, and the division 746, and they were obliged to fall back. On December 3d the brigade, after a lively skirmish, returned to its old camp, and three days later went up Broad River to Deveaux Neck, near which it had many of its men killed and wounded in a severe fight. The next day it was attacked by a large force, and there was a bloody fight in which each man fired sixty rounds and the rebels were repulsed, but resisted stubbornly and retired slowly. In this battle the 56th encountered the 5th Georgia Regiment, drove it from its position, captured its colors, and lost twenty-four men in killed and wounded.

The camp was thirty-six miles north of Savannah and seventy from Charleston. December 23d the news came that General Sherman had occupied Savannah. On the 29th Colonel Tyler was put in command of three regiments, including the 56th, and they advanced to ascertain the strength of the enemy. They encountered his picket line which resisted but fell back, and killed and wounded seventeen of Tyler's men. The camp was undisturbed until January 7th, when a rifled gun began shelling them and kept it up for a week, night and day. This was not restful, but the camp was so sandy that not more than half the percussion shells burst, and not a man was injured by them. January 15th it was discovered that the rebels had left, and our men pushed on and took possession of Fort Coosawhatchie. Here the rations were greatly improved by foraging expeditions. On the 17th they were visited by Generals Sherman and Howard. On the 29th the 56th remained at the fort while the rest of the brigade left to relieve General Sherman's forces at Poctaligo. The 56th did not join it until February 16, and afterward the brigade made a slow march to Ashley River, across which lay Charleston, arriving there February 28. The city had been evacuated after the cotton warehouses, quartermasters' stores, bridges, vessels, etc., had been burnt by order of General Hardie. March 1st the division started to pursue him, and if possible prevent him from joining General Johnston's army. It marched several days without finding any rebels, then was ordered to return and was back in Charleston on the 9th. This expedition, composed of General Potter's entire division, had marched ninety miles. It went on March 11th to the village of Mt. Pleasant, near Charleston, and remained there until April 2nd, when it went to Georgetown. Major Eliphas Smith being in command of companies A, B, C, D and E of the 56th. A and B remained in Georgetown as a part of the garrison. C was sent as guard of a transport up the Santee River, and E and D were attached to the 157th regiment, and went with it on the "Kingsville expedition." Kingsville was about 135 miles from Georgetown, and the rebels had run in there from points on Sherman's march as many as 25 locomotives and 200 cars, with large quantities of stores and ammunition. After a troublesome march, with some hard fighting, the expedition reached Kingsville April 10. On the 9th companies B and D of the 56th had gallantly charged a rebel battery, in the face of a fusillade, and captured it, but with a loss in killed and wounded of fifteen men.

The next day news was received of the fall of Petersburgh and the surrender of General Lee's army. In General Potter's order announcing it he returned "special thanks to Lieutenant-Colonel Carmichael of the 157th New York and detachment of the 56th New York for the skillful and gallant manner in which they carried the enemy's battery and drove him in confusion from the field."

The locomotives and cars at Kingsville were destroyed, and the expedition marched back happy to their old camp at Mt. Pleasant. The fightings and severe hardships were ended at last.

April 14 the men witnessed the raising of the Union flag at Fort Sumter on the 4th anniversary of its surrender. Soon the regiment was united again at Summerville, and remained near there until the men were paid up. It started homeward October 6th, and was disbanded and mustered out on Hart's Island, New York Harbor, November 10th, but a number of the men whose terms had expired had been discharged on July 5th.

During its last campaign in South Carolina the distances the regiment had traversed were about as follows: Beaufort to Morris Island, seventy miles; to Coosawatchie by way of Honey Hill and Deveaux Neck, ninety miles; to Charleston, seventy miles; to Santee River and return, eighty miles; Kingsville raid, 390 miles; to Newberry by way of Orangeburg and Columbia, 166 miles; to Chester, forty-five miles; to Charleston by way of Winsboro, Columbia and Florence, 205 miles—all during the regiment's last year of service.

The regiment arrived in New York City October 20, 1865, was quartered in the Battery barracks until November 9, was paid up and discharged November 10.

From first to last there were 2,176 men and boys enlisted and assigned to the 56th regiment.

The incomplete record shows the names of forty-one killed in battle, twenty-three died of wounds; 216 died of disease; 170 wounded and recovered; 415 discharged for disability and wounds; sixty-seven transferred to other commands; five captured and paroled.

Following is a list of the engagements in which the regiment took part:

Engagements of the Fifty-sixth.

1. Siege of Yorktown, Va., April 15 to May 4, 1862.

2. Lee's Mills, Va., April 28, 1862.

3. Williamsburgh, Va., May 5, 1862.

4. Bottoms and Turkey Island Bridge, Va., May 23, 1862.

5. Savage Station, Va., May 25, 1862.

6. Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862.

7. Seven Days' Battle, June 25 to July 2, 1862.

8. Railroad and Bottoms Bridge, Va., June 28 and 29, 1862.

9. White Oak Swamp Bridge, Va., June 30, 1862.

10. Malvern Hill, Va., July 1, 1862.

11. Carter's Hill, Va., July 2, 1862.

12. Woods' Cross Roads, Va., Dec. 14, 1862.

13. Seabrook Island, S. C., June 18, 1863.

14. Grimball's Landing, S. C., July 16, 1863.

15. Siege of Fort Wagner, S. C., July 18, 1863.

16. Siege of Charleston, S. C., August and September, 1863.

17. Johns Island, S. C., July 1 to 10, 1864.

18. Honey Hill, S. C., Nov. 30, 1864.

19. Coosawhatchie, S. C., Dec. 3, 1864.

20. Boyd's Point, S. C., Dec. 5, 1864.

21. Deveaux Neck, S. C., Dec. 6, 1864.

22. Deveaux Neck, S. C., Dec. 7, 1864.

23. Deveaux Neck, S. C., Dec. 9, 1864.

24. Deveaux Neck, S. C., Dec. 19, 1864.

25. Deveaux Neck, S. C., Dec. 29, 1864.

26. Manningsville, S. C., April 8, 1865.

27. Dingle's Mills, S. C., April 9, 1865.

REGIMENTAL AND COMPANY OFFICERS.

COLONELS.

Charles H. Van Wyck, and Brig. Gen., U. S. V.

Rockwell Tyler, not mustered.

LIEUTENANT-COLONELS.

James Jordan, to August S, 1862.

Frederick Decker, not mustered.

John J. Wheeler, to Feb. 11, 1864.

Rockwell Tyler, to muster out and Brevet Colonel.

Eliphas Smith, not mustered.

MAJORS.

Jacob Sharpe, to Aug. 5, 1862.

John J. Wheeler, to Dec. 15, 1862.

Rockwell Tyler, to Feb. 27, 1864.

Eliphas Smith, to Oct. 17, 1865.

James Du Bois, not mustered.

ADJUTANTS.

Eli H. Evans, to Oct. 25, 1863.

Henri B. Loomis, to muster out of regiment.

QUARTERMASTERS.

John B. Gerard, to Sept. 5, 1862.

Jesse F. Schafer. to Oct. 15, 1864, from Co. K.

Addison J. Clements, to muster out of regiment, from Co. F.

SURGEONS.

Solomon Van Etten, to Sept. 28, 1864.

George H. Fossard, Oct. 7, 1864, to July 5, 1865.

Ira S. Bradner, Sept. 19, 1865; not mustered.

ASSISTANT SURGEONS.

O. A. Carrol, Sept. 2, 1861, to May 13, 1863.

Albert S. Turner, Aug. 9, 1862, to Nov. 18, 1863.

Daniel S. Hardenburgh, Nov. 11, 1863, to April 1, 1865.

Ira S. Bradner, April 25, 1863, to muster out of regiment.

George K. Sayer, Brevet 1st Lieut., and Asst. Surg.

HOSPITAL STEWARD.

George K. Sayer, from Oct. 20, 1861, to muster out of regiment.

CHAPLAINS.

Charles Shelling, to Dec. 23, 1862.

George P. Van Wyck, Dec. 30, 1862, to muster out of regiment.

SERGEANT MAJORS.

William N. Phillips, to Jan. 18, 1862.

Demmon S. Decker, Co. F, to Feb. 9, 1862.

Francis Hines, Co. E, to Aug. 8, 1862.

John Metcalf, Co. A, to Dec. 23, 1863.

Francis Might, Co. G, to July 1, 1864.

Robert C. Roper, Co. H, to Jan. 1, 1865.

James Gowdy, Co. C, to May 18, 1865.

Frank Hotchkin, Co. F, to muster out of regiment.

QUARTERMASTER SERGEANTS.

Jesse F. Schafer, original, to Feb. 27, 1862.

Noah D. Smith, Co. H, to muster out of regiment.

COMMISSARY SERGEANTS.

Isaac Rosa, original, to April 12, 1862.

William H. Merphy, Co. K, to Nov. 20, 1864.

William H. D. Blake, Co. C, Nov. 22, 1864, to muster out of regiment.

REGIMENTAL BAND.

Berger, Albert B.	King, Hiram T.
Biddle, John	Kirkpatrick, Joseph
Canfield, George	Little, James, Jr.
Count, Thomas H.	Sloat, Cornelius J.
Cromwell, Charles	Stewart, William H.
Depuy, Elias	Turner, Joshua B.
Depuy, George	Tuthill, Charles
Depuy, Calvin	Van Cleft, Theodore H.
Frost, William N.	Way, Richard D.
Harding, Elisha C.	Welch, Theodore H.
King, George J.	Wheat, Robert A.

MUSICIANS—DRUM AND FIFE CORPS.

Aber, David, Co. B.	Lamoreux, Timothy, Co. F.
Aher, George, Co. B.	Mead, John, Co. L.
Baird, Charles, Co. H.	Miller, Harman B., Co. A.
Bender, Conrad, Co. D.	Miller, Thomas, Co. G.
Bradner, Fred H., Co. F.	Nixon, Edward, Co. G.
De Sylvia, Dwight, Co. F.	Pitts, Charles V. L., Co. H.
Graham, Nathaniel, Co. L.	Reynolds, Newell F., Co. D.
Grannis, James H., Co. H.	Robinson, John T., Co. A.
Hamilton, William, Co. B.	Robinson, Henry, Co. C.
Howe, Westley, Co. H.	Smith, Cornelius. Co. F.
Kennedy, Lewis E., Co. G.	Smith, William T., Co. I.
King, Henry, Co. D.	Weightman, Charles, Co. E.
Kinsler, George, Co. K.	Young, William, Co. F.

RECORD OF FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS—ORIGINAL

Van Wyck, Charles—Age, 37 years. Enrolled at Newburgh, to serve 3 years, and mustered in as Colonel, Sept. 4, 1861; mustered out with regiment, Oct. 17, 1865, at Charleston, S. C. Commissioned Colonel, Nov. 13, 1862, with rank from Sept. 4, 1861. Original. Brevet Brig. General, U. S. V. Brigadier General from Sept. 27, 1865; mustered out Jan. 15, 1866.

Jourdan, James—Age, 29 years. Enrolled at Brooklyn to serve 3 years, and mustered in as Lieutenant Colonel, Dec. 19, 1861; discharged, Aug. 5, 1862; prior service as Major 84th Infantry. Commissioned Lieutenant Colonel, Dec. 20, 1861, with rank from Dec. 19, 1861. Original.

Sharpe, Jacob—Age, 27 years. Enrolled at Newburgh, to serve 3 years, and mustered in as Major, Sept. 3, 1861; discharged Aug. 5, 1862. Commissioned Major, June 28, 1862, with rank from Sept. 6, 1861. Original. Subsequent service in the 156th Regiment, N. Y. Infantry Vols., as Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel.

Evans, Eli H.—Age, 25 years. Enrolled, July 31, 1861, at Newburgh, to serve 3 years: mustered in as Adjutant, Sept. 1, 1861; dishonorably discharged, Oct. 1, 1863; also borne as First Lieutenant on rolls of Company A. Commissioned First Lieutenant and Adjutant, Aug. 1, 1862, with rank from Sept. 1, 1861. Original.

Gerard, John C.—Age, 32 years. Enrolled, July 21, 1861, at Newburgh, to serve 3 years; mustered in as Quartermaster, July 31, 1861; discharged Sept. 4, 1862. Commissioned First Lieutenant and Quartermaster, Aug. 7, 1862, with rank from July 31, 1861. Original.

Shelling, Charles—Age, 35 years. Enrolled at Newburgh to serve 3 years, and mustered in as Chaplain, Sept. 16, 1861; discharged, Dec. 23, 1862. Commissioned Chaplain, Aug. 7, 1862, with rank from Sept. 16, 1861. Original.

Van Wyck, George P.—Age, 35 years. Enrolled at Seabrook Island, S. C. to serve 3 years; mustered in as Chaplain, April 8, 1863; mustered out, Oct. 17, 1865, while absent with leave. Commissioned Chaplain, Dec. 30, 1862, with rank from same date, vice Charles Shelling, resigned.

Phillips, William N.—Age, 30 years. Enlisted. Sept. 19, 1861, at Newburgh, to serve 3 years; mustered in as Sergeant Major. Oct. 1, 1861; died of typhoid fever, Jan. 4, 1862, at Warren Hospital, Washington, D. C.

DISCHARGED.

James Jourdan, Aug. 5, 1862, Lieutenant Colonel.

Jacob Sharpe, Aug. 5, 1862, Major.

Eli H. Evans, Oct. 1, 1863, Adjutant.

John C. Gerard, Sept. 4, 1862, Quartermaster.

Charles Shelling, Dec. 23, 1862, Chaplain.

Frederick Decker, Nov. 23, 1862, Lieutenant Colonel.

John J. Wheeler, Feb. 11, 1864, Lieutenant Colonel.

SURGEONS, ASSISTANT SURGEONS AND HOSPITAL STEWARDS.

Bradner, Ira S.—Enrolled, April 25, 1863, at Hilton Head, S. C, to serve 3 years; mustered in as Assistant Surgeon, May 12, 1863; commissioned as Surgeon, Sept. 19, 1865; mustered out with regiment, Oct. 17, 1865, at Charleston, S. C. Commissioned Assistant Surgeon, May 4, 1863, with rank from April 25, 1863, vice O. A. Carroll, promoted in 143d Infantry; Surgeon, Sept. 19, 1865, with rank from Sept. 19, 1865, vice G. W. Fossard, resigned.

Carroll, Oscar A.—Age, 34 years. Enrolled, Sept. 2, 1861, at Newburgh, to serve 3 years; mustered in as Assistant Surgeon, Sept. 23, 1861; mustered out May 13, 1863, for promotion to Surgeon, 143d Infantry. Commissioned Assistant Surgeon, Aug. 7, 1862, with rank from Sept. 23, 1861. Original.

Fossard, George H.—Age, 25 years. Enrolled, Oct. 7, 1864, at Morris Island, S. C., to serve 3 years; mustered in as Surgeon, Nov. 5, 1864; discharged July 5, 1865; prior service as Assistant Surgeon, 146th Infantry. Commissioned Surgeon, Oct. 7, 1864, with rank from Oct. 7, 1864, vice S. Van Etten, mustered out.

Hardenberg, Daniel S.—Age, 23 years. Enrolled, Nov. 11, 1863, at Beaufort, S. C, to serve 3 years; mustered in as Assistant Surgeon, Dec. 11, 1863; discharged, April 1, 1865. Commissioned Assistant Surgeon, Nov. 13, 1863, with rank from Nov. 11, 1863, vice A. L. Turner, promoted.

Sayre, George K.—Age, 22 years. Enlisted at Newburgh, to serve 3 years, and mustered in as Hospital Steward, Oct. 20, 1861; re-enlisted as a veteran, Feb. 24, 1864; mustered out with regiment, Oct. 17, 1865, at Charleston, S. C.; also borne as Sayer. Brevetted First Lieutenant and Assistant Surgeon.

Turner, Albert S.—Age, 35 years. Enrolled at Yorktown, Va., to serve 3 years, and mustered in as Assistant Surgeon, Aug. 9, 1862; discharged, June 30, 1863, for promotion to Surgeon, 103d Infantry. Commissioned Assistant Surgeon, Aug. 29, 1862, with rank from Aug. 19, 1862.

Van Etten, Solomon—Age, 32 years. Enrolled at Newburgh, to serve 3 years, and mustered in as Surgeon, Sept. 23, 1861; mustered out, Oct. 7, 1864; also borne as Fetterman Van Etten. Commissioned Surgeon, Sept. 23, 1861, with rank from Aug. 7, 1861. Original.

MEMBERS OF BAND.

Biddle, John—Age, 23 years. Enlisted at Middletown, to serve 3 years, and mustered in as musician in band, Sept. 21, 1861; mustered out, March 1, 1862, at Washington, D. C.

Canfield, George—Age, 15 years. Enlisted at Middletown, to serve 3 years, and mustered in as musician in band, Sept. 21, 1861; mustered out, March 1, 1862, at Washington, D. C.

Count, Thomas H.—Age, 35 years. Enlisted at Ellenville, to serve 3 years, and mustered in as musician in band, Sept. 21, 1861; mustered out, March 1, 1862, at Washington, D. C.

Cromwell, Charles—Age, 27 years. Enlisted at Middletown, to serve 3 years, and mustered in as musician in band, Sept. 21, 1861; mustered out, March 1, 1862, at Washington, D. C.

Depuy, George—Age, 29 years. Was enrolled Sept. 10, 1861, to serve 3 years, and mustered in as musician in band; discharged, Dec. 6, 1861, at Washington, D. C., by General Order, No. 91, War Department.

Harding, Elislia C.—Age, 26 years. Enlisted at Middletown, to serve 3 years, and mustered in as band leader, Sept. 21, 1861; mustered out, March 1, 1862, at Washington, D. C.

King, George J.—Age, 31 years. Enlisted at Middletown, to serve 3 years, and mustered in as musician in band, Sept. 21, 1861; mustered out, March 1, 1862, at Washington, D. C.

King, Hiram T.—Age, 27 years. Enlisted at Middletown, to serve 3 years, and mustered in as musician in band, Sept. 21, 1861; mustered out, March 1, 1862, at Washington, D. C.

Kirkpatrick, Joseph—Age, 25 years. Enlisted at Middletown, to serve 3 years, and mustered in as musician in band, Sept. 21, 1861; mustered out, March 1, 1862, at Washington, D. C. Subsequent service in the Cavalry.

Little, James, Jr.—Age 24 years. Enlisted at Middletown, to serve 3 years, and mustered in as musician in band, Sept. 21, 1861; mustered out, March 1, 1862, at Washington, D. C.

Stewart, William H—Age, 24 years. Enlisted at Middletown, to serve 3 years, and mustered in as musician in band, Nov. 1, 1861; mustered out, March 1, 1862, at Washington, D. C. Subsequent service in the Engineer Corps, and Captain in the Regular Army.

Tuthill, Charles—Age, 24 years. Enlisted at Middletown, to serve 3 years, and mustered in as musician in band, Sept. 21, 1861; mustered out, March 1, 1862, at Washington, D. C.

Van Cleft, Theodore H.—Age, 24 years. Enlisted at Middletown, to serve 3 years, and mustered in as musician in band, Sept. 21, 1861; mustered out, March 1, 1862, at Washington, D. C.

Way, Richard D.—Age, 24 years. Enlisted at Middletown, to serve 3 years, and mustered in as musician in band, Sept. 21, 1861; mustered out, March 1, 1862, at Washington, D. C.

Welch, Theodore H.—Age, 23 years. Enlisted at Middletown, to serve 3 years, and mustered in as musician in band, Sept. 21, 1861; mustered out, March 1, 1862, at Washington, D. C.

Wheat, Robert A.—Age, 25 years. Enlisted at Middletown, to serve 3 years, and mustered in as musician in band, Sept. 21, 1861; mustered out, March 1, 1862, at Washington, D. C.

Company A.

Captains—Thomas S. Marvel, Jr., James H. F. Milton, John Metcalf.

First Lieutenants—Thomas B. Pope, Thomas Atwood, John Metcalf, Robert C. Roper.

Second Lieutenants—Peter B. Steele, Wilbur F. Still, Robert C. Roper, George R. Black, Daniel R. Franklin, Wilbur F. Still.

Company B.

Captains—Charles F. Thayer, James H. Smith, Norman Perkins, Alfred W. Loomis, Melville Sears.

First Lieutenants—Effingham Vanderburgh, Alfred W. Lomas, James J. Cox, Alphonse Richter, Edward H. Lomas, Jeremiah Strickland.

Second Lieutenants—Alfred W. Lomas, James J. Cox, Isaac Roosa, Alphonse Richter, Algernon Rose, Jesse L. Stivers, Calvin Lambert.

Company D.

Captains—John J. Wheeler, Edward Wheeler, John Connell.

First Lieutenants—Edward Wheeler, Isaac Beckett, William J. Sayre.

Second Lieutenants—Isaac Beckett, John Connell, Robert E. Halstead, Benjamin F. Clark, William J. Sayre.

Company E.

Captains—William J. Williams, Daniel D. Elting, James J. Cox.

First Lieutenants—Edgar E. Morse, Joseph A. Holmes, John L. Thompkins, Francis Hines, Meeker G. Bell.

Second Lieutenants—Meeker G. Bell, Francis Hines, Edward J. Scranton, Clement B. Newkirk.

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.

The following brief story of the organization and military career of the 124th N. Y. V. is condensed from the history of the regiment prepared by Colonel Charles H. Weygant and published in 1877.

The 124th was distinctively an Orange County regiment, as all its companies were recruited in the county under President Lincoln's call of July 1, 1862, for 300,000 three years' men. The day after this call was issued Governor Morgan made an appeal to the people of New York urging them to respond promptly to the President's wish and the country's needs. The State was immediately divided into military districts and a committee of prominent citizens was appointed for each, to superintend the work of enlistment and recommend suitable persons for the officers of the regiments to be raised. Orange and Sullivan Counties constituted one of these districts, and its military committee was composed as follows:

Hon. Robert Denniston, Blooming Grove; Hon. Andrew S. Murray, Goshen; Hugh S. Bull, Montgomery; Albert Post, Newburgh; James M. Barrett, Cornwall; Alexander Moore, Washingtonville; Morgan Shint, Monroe.

A little later the following were added to the committee: E. A. Brewster and William Fullerton, Newburgh; C. H. Winfield, Thomas Edsall and Silas Horton, Goshen; James Cromwell and William Avery, Cornwall; C. C. McQuoid, Halstead Sweet, John G. Walkin and John Cummings, Wallkill; Charles J. St. John, John Conkling, Orville J. Brown and C. M. Lawrence, Port Jervis; C. B. Newkirk, Monroe; A. S. Dodge, Mount Hope; Dorastus Brown, Greenville; A. F. Schofield, Montgomery; A. G. Owen, Blooming Grove; John Cowdrey and Thomas Welling, Warwick.

The committee recommended A. Van Home Ellis, of New Windsor, then a captain in the service, for colonel of the regiment which it was proposed to raise in Orange, and to have general charge of the recruiting. The gloomy conditions at the seat of war made enlistments slow throughout the State. Colonel Ellis, after his selection by the committee at its first meeting on June 11th, had gone to work immediately, and opened recruiting offices in every town, yet only eight men in all were enlisted in the county during the month. Then, when it was seen that the national capital was again in danger of capture, public meetings were held, private bounties were offered, money for the support of the families of volunteers were raised, and there was a general revival of patriotic enthusiasm. Although up to August 8th not more than a score of volunteers had reported at Colonel Ellis's headquarters, fifteen days later the regiment was fully organized and ready to march to the front.

The regimental officers then were: A. Van Horne Ellis, colonel; F. M. Cummins, lieutenant colonel; James Cromwell, major; John H. Thompson, surgeon; T. Scott Bradner, chaplain; Augustus Denniston, quartermaster; De Peyster Arden, adjutant; Edward Marshall, assistant surgeon; R. V. K. Montfort, 2nd assistant surgeon.

These field officers had all served honorably in the Union army, and Lieutenant-Colonel Cummins had been a commissioned officer in the Mexican War.

The members of the regiment's band were: Drum Major, ____ Hart; buglers, Wm. B. Wood, Moses P. Ross; fifes, John G. Buckley, Charles Whitehead, Arthur Haigh, Geo. W. Dimick, Henry C. Payne; drums, Robert L. Travis, A. J. Millspaugh, Geo. W. Canfield, John N. Cole, R. D. Stephens, Charles W. Bodle, Henry U. Cannon, Wm. Hamilton, Henry Hoofman, C. Van Gordon, Jehue Price, J. M. Merritt, W. Johnston, James McElroy, Samuel W. Weeden.

The captains of the several companies were: A. Charles H. Weygant; B. Henry S. Murray: C. Wm. Silliman; D. James W. Benedict: E. Wm. A. McBirney; F. Ira S. Bush; G. Isaac Nicoll; H. David Crist; I. Leander Clark; K. Wm. A. Jackson.

Delay in obtaining guns postponed the mustering in of the regiment until September 5th, and the next day it broke camp at Goshen and started for Washington. Meanwhile it had been presented by Charles H. Winfield, in behalf of the ladies of Orange, with a stand of colors. Its fine appearance in New York inspired a paragraph of praise from the Tribune, which said that the most influential families of Orange County were represented in its ranks, and that it contained "the very cream of the regimental district."

Three days afterward they were in Washington, and the first night there slept on the ground and stone block in front of the Capitol. The next day they marched to Camp Chase on Arlington Heights, and two or three days later moved to a spot which they christened Camp Ellis. Here they were attached to Platt's brigade of Whipple's division of Heintzleman's corps. The other regiments in the brigade were the 122nd Pa. (a nine months regiment), the 86th N. Y., and the 1st Ohio battery. The 124th and 86th regiments remained together during the war. The latter and the Ohio battery were already veterans.

The 124th broke camp again September 25th, went to Miners' Hill, and here the men became experienced in picket duties. Tents were struck October 16th, and the next day they started in a drizzling rain with their division to join the main army on the Maryland side of the Potomac in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry. A freight train carried them in great discomfort from Washington to Knoxville, eight miles from Harper's Ferry, and they became a part of the Army of the Potomac. October 25th they again received marching orders, and were in motion from supper time till midnight, when they bivouacked near Berlin, where a pontoon bridge was being laid. Across this they went with the entire army of 100,000 men, and were afterward halted in a muddy cornfield near Lovettsville, where they had to stay all night in rain, a cold wind and mud, and had their first realization of the sufferings of army life. The next morning thirty of the men were unfit for duty. Short marches were continued, with stops of two or three days, they being in the advance with the rest of Whipple division a part of the time, and then they looked from a peak of the Blue Ridge upon some white tents of the enemy. The object of the movement had been to cut off a force of his infantry, but it was too late and the division was ordered to retrace its steps.

At Orleans they learned that McClellan had been succeeded by Burnside as commander of the Army of the Potomac. November 11th they marched to Waterloo, and here some of the men of Co. B, commanded by Lieutenant W. E. Weygant, were part of a detail which had a fight with the enemy's pickets and captured two prisoners. November 16th they marched to Warrenton and here became a part of General Hooker's grand division. There were now daily marches, some of the time through heavy rains and in deep mud. November 23rd, four miles from Fredericksburg, they went into camp for the first time since leaving Miner's Hill. The army waited in that vicinity for the pontoon trains, which did not arrive until December 10. Then, in pushing a pontoon bridge across the Rappahannock, many of the builders were killed by Mississippi sharpshooters. To stop this 120 cannon were placed on Stafford Heights overlooking Fredericksburg, and began firing shells into the city and among the sharpshooters. When the firing ceased two bridges spanned the river, and Union troops hurried across and soon drove the enemy out of Fredericksburg. But the great battle was yet to come, when the Confederates forced Burnside's army to withdraw to Falmouth after losing 13,000 men. Platt's brigade formed the extreme right of the line, and the 124th was one of the last regiments to recross the bridges. The next morning about half of the men answered to the surgeon's call, and nearly a hundred were placed on the sick list. General Platt resigned about Christmas time, and there was a period of drilling and picket duty by brigades. January 5th the corps was reviewed by General Burnside. January 10th new Enfield rifles came and were substituted for the old Belgians. Then, after three or four orders to march had been countermanded, a start was made through pelting rain and sleet and deepening mud. The rain and sleet froze as it fell, and the men were chilled, and experienced two nights of great suffering. General Burnside abandoned the attempt to advance. On January 26th General Hooker superseded him. The division moved a little way, and cut down trees and constructed log cabins. During February the weather was severe, but the log cabins, which had fire places, though smoky at times, made them tolerably comfortable. February 25th the 124th drove off a body of Confederate cavalry which made a dash on their picket line. There was a monotonous interval, enlivened April 7th by a grand review before President Lincoln and Generals Hooker and Sickles. The division and brigade were then attached to General Sickles's corps. Orders to march came April 28th, and the entire army was soon in motion, and the next day halted in sight of the enemy's pickets across the Rappahannock. The 124th crossed the river on a pontoon bridge with an army of 65,000 men, thirteen miles from Fredericksburg. Then came the disastrous battle of Chancellorsville, during which the 124th got into the thickest of the fight, had a fierce encounter with Iverson's brigade, and "not a man faltered," although raked by a deadly fire in which many men and a number of officers fell. Once they made a charge and retook works from which one of our batteries had been driven. The battle ended with the day, and Hooker was whipped. The Third corps lost in killed and wounded 4,000 men. It captured seven battle flags and over 1,000 prisoners. The losses of the 124th were fifty-five killed, 150 wounded and six missing. Colonel Ellis, in his official report said: "Our men fought like tigers, cheering loudly, but falling fast, the officers without exception standing up to their duty and encouraging their commands."

After Chancellorsville the 122nd Pa., having completed its nine months of service, returned home, and the brigade collapsed to between 500 and 600 men of the 86th and 124th. Colonel Ellis was now in command of the brigade, and it was selected as one of three brigades of picked regiments to accompany a large body of cavalry on a secret expedition. They Started May 6th through a thunderstorm to Beverly's Ford, where they crossed the Rappahannock. There had been a clash of cavalry, and Colonel Ellis's regiments were the first in the field. Batteries on both sides opened fire, and there were charges and counter charges, in which bullets flew thick. A body of rebels got in the rear of the 124th, but they were repulsed after a hot contest in which Co.'s A, F and D lost two killed and twenty wounded. The troops were ordered to recross the river.

The 124th did such splendid service at Chancellorsville that it was transferred to the roll of "first class, tried and to be trusted, veteran battalions," although only six weeks before it had been classed among the "untried recruits." June 9th it was part of an expedition of these veteran regiments which recrossed the Rappahannock, did some more fighting, under General Buford, and captured some of the enemy's pickets. General Pleasanton accompanied General Buford and ordered an advance in force, but he found the enemy reinforced and the troops were withdrawn after a loss of about 800 on each side. The 124th and 86th were commended as "reliable regiments" in the day's doings.

About this time the old Whipple division ceased to exist in consequence of the losses at Chancellorsville and mustering-out of several regiments. Berdan's sharpshooters and the 124th and 86th were assigned to General J. H. H. Ward's brigade of General D. B. Birney's division.

On June 14th they started on one of their longest and severest marches northward, and on June 25th crossed the Potomac at Edward's Ferry near Ball's Bluff. Just before it was ordered Milner Brown was assigned to the command of the regiment. They proceeded through Fredericksburg to Emmetsburg, and here on June 30th the 124th had but 264 rifles in line, so great had been the losses in battle and from disease. They were informed that General Hooker had been succeeded by General Meade. The Confederates had invaded Pennsylvania and a great battle was anticipated. A forced march was made to Gettysburg through such intense heat that many were prostrated, and when the regiment reached the high ground south of Gettysburg not more than 100 men and five or six officers appeared in the regimental line, but the next morning it was 240 strong. It was placed in the right center of the brigade, and in that decisive battle of the war distinguished itself by its steadiness and daring. For forty minutes Ward's and De Trobriand's brigades of about 3,000 men held their ground against Longstreet's entire corps. By a mere chance the whole regiment escaped capture. General Ward harangued its men on the battlefield, and said the heroic resistance they had made "was beyond anything he had ever dared to hope for." Its active part in the great three days' battle was finished on the second day, as it was not called upon to participate in the fighting of the third day, which brought defeat to Lee's army. The 124th had lost thirty-three killed, including Colonel Ellis, Major James Cromwell and Captain Isaac Nicoll, and fifty-nine wounded, including Lieutenant Colonel Cummins. A number of the severely wounded remained in the hands of the enemy several days. The regiment was now reduced to 150 men with muskets and nine commissioned officers. Some had been sent to the corps hospital. They were now temporarily commanded by Captain Charles A. Weygant of Co. A.

The pursuit of Lee began, but he was too swift for Meade, and escaped across the Potomac. After various movements on both sides of the Potomac, which was crossed July 17th, the 124th bivouacked at Manassas Gap July 22nd, in sight of the place of its first skirmish. Then the regiment had 700 rank and file, a full field staff and twenty-five line officers. Now, although about thirty convalescents had returned, it had less than 200 men in all. The corps, commanded by Major General French had been strengthened since Gettysburg by about 8,000 new troops. General Ward still commanded the division.

There were some undecisive {sic} movements and skirmishing in which the 124th participated. Lieutenant Colonel Cummins, having recovered, returned and took command of the regiment July 28th. It was soon established in camp near Sulphur Springs and remained there six weeks. September 10th, in consequence of the backward movement of Lee's army, General Meade pushed a heavy cavalry force across the Rapidan, and soon the entire army was transferred to the region between the Rapidan and Rappahannock. The 124th broke camp September 15th, and next encamped near Culpepper. October 2nd Lieutenant Colonel Cummins was given a leave of absence for five days, and left Captain Weygant in command. There were some uncertain movements, one of which followed a retrograde movement of Lee, October 19th, but he was found to be out of reach and General Meade gave up the pursuit until twenty miles of railroad could be re-built. Next came the fight at Kelly's Ford of November 7th, in which the 124th supported the 10th Massachusetts Battery, and the Confederates were defeated. Ward's division took possession of the ford and captured over 500 prisoners. The Union loss was only about fifty. Sedgwick's right wing attacked works on the bank of the Rappahannock, carried them by a brilliant coup de main, and captured 1,500 prisoners, his loss being about 300. In the march next day toward Beverly Station, with Ward's division in front, the 124th was deployed as flankers and was under fire for some time. There was no more fighting until November 27th, when the fight at Locust Grove took place, followed by that at Mine Run. The 124th took part in both, and lost one killed, eight wounded and three captured. December 1st Meade ordered a retrograde movement, and the regiment settled down to a long stay at Brandy Station and Culpepper. March 17 General Birney sent an order to Colonel Cummins stating that to equalize the brigades the 124th would be transferred to the Third Brigade. This was so displeasing that fourteen officers of the regiment petitioned General Birney to allow them to remain under Brigadier General Ward. Major General Birney replied that "the request of the officers of this gallant regiment would be fully considered," and he would try to grant it. This was done, and the 124th remained in Ward's Brigade. Meanwhile it had received considerable additions in volunteers from Orange County, although not half as many as had been mustered out and transferred to the veteran reserve corps in consequence of physical disability.

Early in March U. S. Grant had been made Lieutenant General and invested by the President with the chief command of all the armies of the United States. In the latter part of March and the month of April he caused a radical reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and the "Old Third" became a part of the Second Corps.

An advance was ordered May 3d, and that night Birney's division struck tents and began its march. Two days afterward the memorable Battle of the Wilderness was begun. Ward's command in this battle consisted of eight infantry regiments, including the 124th and the Second U. S. Sharpshooters, constituting one of the largest brigades in the army. The leading officers of the 124th were now Colonel Cummins, Lieutenant-Colonel Weygant and Acting Major H. S. Murray. The brigade and regiment did their allotted share in the two-days' battle, but the regiment was less exposed than at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and came out with a loss of three killed and fifty-seven wounded, Colonel Cummins being among the wounded.

The battle of Spottsylvania Court House came a week later. On the 9th the 124th N. Y. and 20th Ind. Regiments were thrown out as skirmishers for General Birney's division as it marched forward. Near Po River a Confederate battery opened on them, but fired too high, and soon had to flee. In the battle the next day for a while the 124th supported a battery on the extreme right of Hancock's line, and then marched with the division towards the left, where it was soon engaged, and assisted in an unsuccessful charge on the rebel line. It was in General Hancock's famous charge of May 12th. Birney's division was in four lines, with Ward's Brigade in front, the 124th composing the right center of the first line, Lieutenant Colonel Weygant in command. When the clash came there were hand-to-hand encounters so fierce and desperate as to defy description. There was an "unparalleled struggle of eighteen hours' duration." Hancock's men captured the enemy's works, and he finally abandoned his efforts to retake them. The 124th had been so actively engaged or under fire so much that the men writing home as late as May 18th spoke of the battle as having been raging since May 4th. Its losses were fifteen killed, fifty-two wounded and two captured. Colonel Weygant was one of the wounded. After the battle the regiment was so small that it was found necessary to consolidate it into five and then into three companies, and the 124th and 86th acted together, first under Lieutenant Colonel Lansing and then Major Stafford, both of the 86th. This union lasted until they settled down in front of Petersburg.

On the evening of May 20th the movement of the army from Spottsylvania Court House began in earnest. The 124th was in various movements, and on June 1st seven of its men on picket duty were captured. In the bloody battle of Cold Harbor, June 3d, Birney's command was in reserve, and the men of the 124th were lookers-on.

Offensive operations were suspended for a time, and General Grant decided to transfer his army to the James River. On the evening of June 12th, after a march of fifty-five miles, Hancock's corps reached Wilcox Landing and was transferred to waiting steamboats. On June 15th the advance of the rest of the army was resumed, Birney's command leading the column down the Prince George Court House road towards Petersburg. The brigade encamped in a grove of pines on City Point. There were only about 100 men left in the 124th. Between May 18th and June 22nd it lost three killed, twenty-four wounded and eight captured. Every third day from the 4th to the 24th of July the remnant was on the picket line. There were no engagements, but some skirmishing.

General Birney had been assigned to the command of the Tenth Corps, and the veterans of the "Old Third" were consolidated into one division under General Mott, and General De Trobriand became commander of the brigade, which included the 124th, now commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Weygant. When offensive operations were resumed on the last day of September, the regiment could muster sixteen officers and 230 fighting men, and two months later had been reinforced so that it numbered nineteen officers and 362 enlisted men, a few of whom were raw recruits. It had some active and hazardous work during the fall, before the army settled down in winter quarters. October 26 Hancock's command moved to the Weldon road, and the next day De Trobriand's brigade marched with Mott's division to Hatcher's Run, where General Eagan was having a skirmish, and preparing to force the passage of the stream. This was done, and presently De Trobriand's brigade was ordered to the front to relieve the brigade on the left of Eagan's line. In the afternoon the enemy advanced in force, and there was some furious fighting, in which the 124th brought to a halt a flanking force of dismounted cavalry with a battery of rifled guns and sent them into the edge of a neighboring wood. The battle continued, and a bullet struck Colonel Weygant in the side, so that he had to leave the field. Finally the Confederates fled. This was called the Battle of Boydton road. Three of the 124th were killed, fourteen wounded and six captured including two of the wounded. The regiment also took part in the raid of a week, beginning November 6th, to destroy the Weldon railroad, when its loss was only one killed and one wounded.

During the winter the Union lines tightened around Richmond, but apart from preparations for the spring campaign not much was done on either side. In February however, De Trobriand's brigade was in a short fight at Hatcher's Run, across which the Union line was permanently extended.

Confederate leaders did not allow Grant to open the spring campaign, and on March 26th attacked his lines, east of Petersburg, but were repulsed. The previous day the 124th was in an engagement with 500 Confederates, and in a gallant charge captured six officers and 164 men. Private George W. Tompkins shot the Confederate Commander, Colonel Troy, and carried off the battle flag of his regiment which he bore. Not a man of the 124th was injured. Private Tompkins was given a medal of honor from the Secretary of War, the thanks of Congress and a brevet commission.

The storming of Petersburg began April 2nd with all the artillery. That night the 124th and two other regiments were ordered to advance, and got into a fight in which several men were seriously wounded. The object of this move was to delay the return of some of Lee's troops, and was successful. The grand assault on the Confederate lines was made at the appointed time, and a part of De Trobriand's brigade led by the 124th moved at double-quick over one of the main roads leading into Petersburg, the Confederates fleeing before them, but wheeling and firing as they ran. Lee was quick to see the inevitable result of the assault, and ordered the evacuation of Richmond. During April 3d the 124th, which had the advance of the Second Corps, marched twenty miles, and gathered in 200 dismounted Confederate cavalrymen. On the 6th it came up with Lee's rear guard, and in the fighting of the march along Sailor's Creek up to this date the regiment lost four killed, seventeen wounded and one missing. The pursuit was resumed on the 7th, and on the 9th came the great surrender of Lee to Grant, when our "men shouted until they could shout no longer."

After the momentous event at Appomattox the 124th encamped at Burkesville Junction. In the night the men were awakened and horrified by the news that President Lincoln and Secretary Seward had been assassinated. On May 1st Meade's army took up its line of march for Washington, and came in sight of it about the middle of May. On June 5th, after participating in the grand review of the whole Union army, the 124th received its last marching orders. It reached home June 13th, and received a wonderful welcome from assembled thousands at Newburgh.

The Newburgh Daily Union published the truth when it said the next day that it "had made as noble a record as any regiment in the field." It praised Colonels Ellis, Cummins and Weygant, and said of the regiment: "Slowly they filed past; and now the people's enthusiasm burst out over all bounds. Our scanty police and watch force were swallowed up and overwhelmed, and the eager multitudes seemed as if they would throw themselves upon the soldiers. On they marched with steady and resistless step, their paces and uniforms telling of the fearful scenes they had passed through. Their battle flag, as it was borne aloft, awakened intense emotion; hardly a strip of its frayed and bullet-torn silk was left; yet it was more precious to the men and to the people than if it were made of cloth of gold."

Judge Taylor made the address of welcome, in which he said: "You are the life-guards of the nation, and we look upon you with something of the same reverence which we feel toward the fathers of our country. And we cherish the memory of those who fought, bled and died, and of those who survived the carnage of Fredericksburg, of Chancellorsville, of Beverly's Ford, of Gettysburg, of the Wilderness, of Spottsylvania, of Boydton Road, of Sailor's Creek and the many battlefields around Richmond."

The following is the official record of the commissioned officers of the 124th, in which the date of commission is followed by the date of rank:

REGIMENTAL AND COMPANY OFFICERS.

Colonels.

A. Van Horn Ellis, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 23, 1862; killed in action at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863.

Francis M. Cummins, Oct. 10, 1863; July 2, 1863; discharged, Sept. 19, 1864.

Charles H. Weygant, Jan. 11, 1865; Sept. 19, 1864; not mustered.

Lieutenant Colonels.

Francis M. Cummins, Sept. 10, 1863; Aug. 16, 1862; promoted to Colonel, Oct. 10, 1863.

Charles H. Weygant, Oct. 10, 1863; July 2, 1863; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865 (Brevet Colonel, U. S. V.)

Henry S. Murray, Jan. 11, 1865; Sept. 19, 1864; not mustered.

Majors.

James Cromwell, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; killed in action at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863.

Charles H. Weygant, Sept. 14, 1863; July 2, 1863; promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Oct. 10, 1863.

Henry S. Murray, Oct. 10, 1863; July 2, 1863; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

James W. Benedict, Jan. 11, 1865: Sept. 19, 1864; not mustered.

Adjutants.

William Silliman, Sept. 10, 1862; July 16, 1862; promoted to Captain, Oct. 3, 1862.

C. Depeyster Arden, Oct. 3, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; discharged, Jan. 14, 1863.

William Brownson, Feb. 20, 1863; Dec. 31, 1863; resigned, Sept. 17, 1863.

William B. Van Houten, Oct. 10, 1863; Sept. 17, 1863; discharged, Jan. 23, 1865.

Wines E. Weygant, Jan. 31, 1865; Jan. 31, 1865; not mustered.

Quartermasters.

Augustus Denniston, Sept. 10, 1862; July 15, 1862; resigned, Jan. 14, 1863.

Henry F. Travis, Feb. 27, 1863; Jan. 14, 1863; promoted to Captain, Aug. 20, 1863.

Ellis Post, Aug. 20, 1863; April 21, 1863; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

Surgeons.

John H. Thompson, Sept. 10, 1862; July 26, 1862; dismissed Nov. 25, 1864; disability removed by order of the President, Jan. 14, 1865.

John H. Thompson, Feb. 15, 1865; Feb. 15, 1865; failed to muster.

Robert V. K. Montfort, March 22, 1865; March 22, 1865; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

Assistant Surgeons.

Edward G. Marshall, Sept. 10, 1862; Sept. 5, 1862; dismissed, Aug. 7, 1863.

Robert V. K. Montfort, Sept. 10, 1862; Sept. 10, 1862: promoted to surgeon, March 22, 1865.

Edward C. Fox, April 6, 1865; April 7, 1865; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

Chaplain.

Thomas Scott Bradner, Oct. 21, 1862; Aug. 23, 1862; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

Captains.

Charles H. Weygant, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 12, 1862; promoted to major, Sept. 14, 1863.

Charles B. Wood, Oct. 10, 1863; July 2, 1863; discharged, Sept. 21, 1864.

Thomas Taft, Nov. 15, 1864; Sept. 21, 1864; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

Henry S. Murray, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 14, 1862; promoted to major, Oct. 10, 1863.

William E. Mapes, Dec. 17, 1863; July 2, 1863; discharged, Dec. 15, 1864.

Robert J. Malone, Dec. 17, 1864; Sept. is, 1864; mustered out with regiment, June 3. 1865.

James Cromwell, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 15, 1862; promoted to major, Sept. 10, 1862.

William Silliman, Oct. 3, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; promoted to colonel, 26th U. S. C. T., Feb. 1, 1864.

James Finnegan, Feb. 9, 1864; Feb. 1, 1864; died of wounds, Oct. 28, 1864.

James A. Grier, Nov. 15, 1864; Oct. 27, 1864; not mustered.

James W. Benedict, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 16, 1862; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

John C. Wood, Feb. 18, 1865; Jan. 1, 1865; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

William A. McBurney, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 19, 1862; resigned, March 9, 1863.

Daniel Sayer, Dec. 17, 1863; March 6, 1863; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

Isaac Nicoll Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; killed in action at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863.

James O. Denniston, Aug. 20, 1863; July 2, 1862; not mustered.

Henry P. Ramsdell, Dec. 12, 1863; Oct. 7, 1863; not mustered.

Thomas J. Quick, Dec. 17, 1863; Dec. 10, 1863; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

Ira S. Bush, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; resigned, June 21, 1864.

John W. Houston, July 15, 1864; June 21, 1864; not mustered.

Edward J. Cormick, Nov. 15, 1864; Aug. 10, 1864; killed in action near Petersburg, Va., April 1, 1865.

Lander Clark, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; resigned, May 13, 1863.

Henry F. Travis, Aug. 20, 1863; April 21, 1863; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

William A. Jackson, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 23, 1862; killed in action near Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864.

Lewis M. Wisner, July 15, 1864; July 14, 1864; not mustered as captain.

Thomas Bradley, Nov. 15, 1864; Aug. 2, 1864; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

David Crist, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 23, 1862; killed in action. May 30, 1864.

Theodore M. Roberson, Feb. 18, 1865; Jan. 1, 1865; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

First Lieutenants.

Charles B. Wood, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 12, 1862; promoted to captain, Oct. 10, 1863.

Charles T. Cressy, April 19, 1864; May 1, 1864; not mustered.

Thomas Taft, Aug. 2, 1864; July 20, 1864; promoted to captain, Nov. 15, 1864.

David U. Quick, Feb. 18, 1865; Jan. 1, 1865; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

Wines E. Weygant, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 14, 1862; resigned, Feb. 8, 1863.

William E. Mapes, Feb. 27, 1863; Feb. 8, 1863; promoted to captain, Feb. 27, 1863.

Edward J. Cormick, March 23, 1864; March 17, 1864; promoted to captain, Nov. 15, 1864.

Abram P. Francisco, Feb. 18, 1865; Jan. 1, 1865; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

William Brownson, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 15, 1862; promoted to adjutant, Feb. 20, 1863.

Henry P. Ramsdell, Feb. 20, 1863; Dec. 31, 1862; discharged, Dec. 13, 1863.

Daniel Sayer, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 16, 1862; promoted to captain, Dec. 17, 1863.

John W. Houston, Dec. 17, 1862; March 6, 1863; discharged, Dec. 13, 1863.

Ebenezer Holbert, July 15, 1864; June 21, 1864; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

Wm. A. Verplanck, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 10, 1862; discharged, Sept. 23, 1863.

Theodore M. Roberson, Dec. 17, 1863; Sept. 25, 1863; promoted to captain, Feb. 18, 1865.

Woodward T. Ogden, Feb. 18, 1865; Jan. 1, 1865; not mustered.

James O. Denniston, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; discharged, Oct. 17, 1863.

William H. Benjamin, Feb. 18, 1865; Jan. 1, 1865; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

Thomas J. Quick, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; promoted to captain, Dec. 17, 1863.

James A. Grier, Dec. 24, 1863; Dec. 10, 1863; not mustered.

John B. Stanbrough, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; resigned, Nov. 12, 1862.

Isaac M. Martin, Dec. 30, 1862; Nov. 12, 1862; dismissed, May 15, 1863.

Wm. B. Van Houten, Aug. 20, 1863; May 15, 1863; promoted to adjutant, Oct. 10, 1863.

Charles Stuart, Oct. 10, 1863; Sept. 17, 1863; discharged, May 15, 1865.

James H. Roosa, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 23, 1862; resigned, March 7, 1863.

James Finnegan, May 26, 1863; March 7, 1863; promoted to captain, Feb. 9, 1864.

Lewis M. Wisner, Feb. 23, 1864: Feb. 1, 1864; discharged, Aug. 5, 1864.

John C. Wood, Nov. 15, 1864; Aug. 1, 1864; promoted to captain, Feb. 18, 1865.

Thomas Hart, Feb. 18, 1865; Jan. 1, 1865; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

Henry Gowdy, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 22, 1863; died, May 11, 1864, of wounds.

John R. Hayes, Dec. 17, 1863; May 10, 1863; not mustered.

Thomas Bradley, Sept. 27, 1864; Aug. 1, 1864; promoted to captain, Nov. 15, 1864.

John S. King, Dec. 17, 1864; Sept. 15, 1864; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

Second Lieutenants.

Charles T. Cressy, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 12, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant, April 19, 1864.

Jonathan Birdsall, Aug. 2, 1864; July 20, 1864; killed in action near Petersburg, Va., Oct. 22, 1864.

Gabriel Tuthill, Feb. 27, 1863; Feb. 8, 1863; discharged, Feb. 23, 1864.

Henry P. Ramsdell, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 15, 1862: promoted to first lieutenant, Feb. 27, 1863.

James A. Grier, Feb. 20, 1863; Dec. 31, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant, Dec. 24, 1863.

Thomas Hart, Nov. 15, 1864; July 21, 1864; promoted to first lieutenant, Feb. 18, 1865.

John W. Houston, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 16, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant, Dec. 17, 1863.

Ebenezer Holbert, April 2, 1864; July 20, 1864: promoted to first lieutenant, July 15, 1864.

Thomas G. Mabie, Nov. 15, 1864; July 26, 1864; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

Adolphus Wittenbeecher, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 19, 1862; dismissed, March 19, 1863.

Theodore M. Roberson, May 26, 1863; March 6, 1863; promoted to first lieutenant, Dec. 17, 1863.

Woodward T. Ogden, Nov. 15, 1864; July 21, 1864; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

Sylvester Lawson, March 14, 1865; March 3, 1865; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

David Gibbs, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; resigned, Feb. 25, 1863.

Wm. H. Benjamin, May 26, 1863; Feb. 25. 1863; promoted to first lieutenant, Feb. 18, 1865.

Joshua V. Cole, Feb. 18. 1865; Jan. 1, 1865; not mustered.

Samuel W. Hotchkiss, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; resigned, April 2, 1864.

David U. Quick, Nov. 15, 1864; July 21, 1864; promoted to first lieutenant, Feb. 18, 1865.

Lewis T. Schultz, Feb. 18, 1865; Jan. 1, 1865; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865.

Isaac M. Martin, Sept. 10. 1862; Aug. 20, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant, Dec. 20, 1862.

Milnor Brown, Dec. 30, 1862; Dec. 30, 1862; killed in action at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863.

Charles Stuart, Aug. 20, 1863; July 2, 1863; promoted to first lieutenant, Oct. 10, 1863.

William W. Smith, April 19, 1864; Sept. 17, 1863; not mustered.

James Finnegan, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 23, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant, May 26, 1863.

Jacob Denton, May 26, 1863; March 7, 1863; not mustered; killed in action, May 3, 1863.

Lewis M. Wisner, Aug. 20, 1863; May 3, 1863; promoted to first lieutenant, Feb. 23, 1864.

John R. Hayes, Sept. 10, 1862; Aug. 22, 1862; discharged, April 8, 1864.

OTHER MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.

Company I, 71st Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y., was recruited in Newburgh, mostly from Co. L, 19th Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y., between May 20 and 31, 1861, by Captain A. Van Horne Ellis. Governor Morgan refused to permit the company to leave the State, and thereupon Captain Ellis took it to New York on his own responsibility. It was furnished with transportation to Washington, was accepted through the influence of Secretary Seward, and mustered in for three months. It was stationed at the Washington Navy Yard, sent to Chapel Point and Point Tobacco, June 28, returned, and on July 16 was brigaded with Rhode Island and New Hampshire regiments under Colonel Burnside. It went to the Bull Run battlefield dragging two twelve-pound boat howitzers on July 4th, and returned with them. Soon it went back, arriving on the Bull Run battlefield July 21st, and in the battle fired 232 shots of shrapnel and canister. It drew out of the conflict by order at 3 P. M. with the loss of one killed and two wounded, and returned to Washington. It was soon back in Newburgh, where it was mustered out July 30th. The officers during this service were: