USA > New York > History of the 121st New York State Infantry > Part 17
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The officers of the regiment and their terms of service are given as follows :
Colonels : Franchot, July 19 to September 25, 1862; Upton, October 23, 1862 to July 4, 1864; Olcott, April 18 to June 25, 1865.
Lieutenant Colonels: C. A. Clark, August 23, 1862 to March 24, 1863; E. Olcott, April 10, 1863 to April 19, 1865; John S. Kidder, May 22 to June 25, 1865.
Majors : E. Olcott, August 23, 1862 to April 10, 1863; A. E. Mather, May 3, 1863 to February 4, 1864; H. M. Galpin, March 31 to December 21, 1864; J. W. Cronkite, December 24, 1864 to June 25, 1865.
Adjutants: A. Ferguson, July 21 to August 30, 1862; T. S. Arnold, August 30 to October 19, 1862; F. W. Morse, January 5 to July 29, 1864; F. E. Lowe, December 31, 1864 to June 25, 1865. Quartermasters: Albert Story, July 21 to Decem-
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ber 30, 1862; Theodore Sternberg, January 5, 1863 to June 25, 1865.
Surgeons: Wm. Bassett, August 23 to September 30, 1862; E. S. Walker, October 22, 1862 to April 1, 1863; John O. Slocum, July 1, 1863 to June 25, 1865.
Assistant Surgeons: S. P. Valentine, August 29, 1862 to January 21, 1863; D. M. Holt, September 2, 1862 to October 16, 1864; I. W. Hotaling, April 8 to August 22, 1863; J. P. Kimball, January 16, 1865 to June 24, 1865.
To this list must be added the following promo- tions for which commissions were granted, but muster in was delayed until the close of the war. By an act of Congress after the war, all officers were remustered from the time of their commis- sion, and these officers are fully entitled to the rank to which they were commissioned.
Lieutenant Colonels: James W. Cronkite and Henry M. Galpin.
Majors: Lewis C. Bartlett, John S. Kidder, Francis W. Morse and Robert P. Wilson.
COMPANY A
Captains: Henry M. Galpin, August 4, 1862 to March 31, 1864; J. Burrell, April 18 to October 26, 1864; S. J. Redway, November 30, 1864 to June 25, 1865.
First Lieutenants: J. Burrell, August 4, 1862 to April 18, 1864; W. H. Tucker, March 31 to Octo- ber 19, 1864; S. J. Redway, September 11 to November 30, 1864; G. H. Snell, November 18, 1864 to June 25, 1865.
Second Lieutenants: G. W. Davis, August 4 to October 20, 1862; J. W. Cronkite, October 21, 1862 to April 10, 1863; J. D. Gray, June 5 to July 21, 1863; S. Burdett, January 1, 1864 to March 1, 1865 (Lieutenant Burdett's name is not found in
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the list of the Adjutant General of the State) ; Wm. H. Tucker, March 30 to March 31, 1864.
COMPANY B
Captains : E. Holcomb, August 13, 1862 to January 20, 1863; M. C. Casler, May 3, 1863 to October 14, 1864; Ten Eyck C. Howland, January 24 to April 6, 1865.
First Lieutenants : Henry C. Keith, August 13, 1862 to January 28, 1863; M. R. Casler, January 28 to May 3, 1863; T. C. Adams, May 3, 1863 to May 10, 1864; T. C. Howland, May 12, 1864 to January 24, 1865; G. H. Snell, December 20, 1864 to Jan- nary 1, 1865; F. W. Morse, March 23 to June 25, 1865.
Second Lieutenants: G. A. May, August 13, 1862 to February 26, 1863; C. A. Butts, January 4 to April 10, 1863; T. C. Adams, April 10 to May 3, 1863; F. C. Piper, April 17 to June 25, 1865.
COMPANY C
Captains : C. A. Moon, August 23, 1862 to January 17, 1863; C. J. Campbell, April 22, 1863 to March 20, 1864; J. W. Johnston, November 18, 1864 to June 25, 1865.
First Lieutenants : T. S. Arnold, August 23 to Aug- ust 30, 1862; A. Cameron, August 31 to Novem- ber 9, 1862; F. Gorton, November 10, 1862 to January 28, 1863; C. M. Bradt, February 20 to April 9, 1863; H. Upton, May 3, 1863 to February 27, 1864; J. A. Heath, July 25, 1863 to December 12, 1864; F. W. Morse, December 23, 1864 to March 23, 1865; J. T. Morton, March 25 to April 6, 1865; Eli Oaks, April 30 to July 24, 1865.
Second Lieutenants: A. Cameron, August 23 to August 31, 1862; C. M. Bradt, August 30, 1862 to February 20, 1863; S. Miller, February 20 to May 13, 1863; H. Upton, April 15 to March 3, 1863;
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G. W. Quackenbush, May 29 to July 9, 1864; J. W. Johnston, July 9 to November 18, 1864; J. H. Smith, April 29 to June 25, 1865.
COMPANY D
Captains: J. D. Fish, August 23, 1862 to May 12, 1864; D. D. Jackson, May 23, 1864 to May 17, 1865.
First Lieutenants: D. M. Kenyon, August 16, 1862 to March 22, 1864; A. C. Rice, April 10 to Sep- tember 20, 1863; D. D. Jackson, February 27 to June 23, 1864; F. E. Lowe, May 23 to December 31, 1864; L. C. Bartlett, June 22, 1863 to June 25, 1865.
Second Lieutenants: Chas. E. Staring, August 23, 1862 to June 14, 1863; G. R. Wheeler, March 25 to May 15, 1863; J. W. Johnston, May 14 to Sep- tember 30, 1863; D. D. Jackson, September 20, 1863 to February 27, 1864; N. Post, April 16 to June 25, 1865.
COMPANY E
Captains: D. Campbell, August 23, 1862 to April 27, 1863; J. W. Cronkite, May 3, 1863 to Decem- ber 24, 1864.
First Lieutenants: T. Sternberg, August 18, 1862 to January 5, 1863; J. W. Cronkite, April 10 to May 3, 1863; L. B. Paine, May 3, 1863 to March 4, 1864; F. W. Morse, July 29 to December 23, 1864; L. Burton, December 21, 1864 to June 25, 1865.
Second Lieutenants : H. VanHorn, August 18, 1862 to January 7, 1863; L. B. Paine, April 10 to May 3, 1863; D. D. Jackson, June 20 to September 20, 1863; J. W. Johnston, September 20, 1863 to July 9, 1864; G. W. Quackenbush, July 9, 1864 to April 20, 1864.
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COMPANY F
Captains: N. O. Wendell, August 23, 1862; H. S. Hall, June 10, 1863 to March 20, 1864; L. B. Paine, March 21 to December 19, 1864; A. M. Tyler, June 5, 1863 to June 25, 1865.
First Lieutenants: B. F. Park, August 23, 1862 to March 18, 1863; A. C. Rice, April 10 to September 20, 1863; S. E. Pierce, January 26 to May 13, 1864; H. C. VanScoy, May 3, 1864 to January 1, 1865; C. H. Barr, January 1 to June 25, 1865.
Second Lieutenants : F. G. Bolles, August 23, 1862 to January 30, 1863; S. E. Pierce, April 10, 1863 to January 26, 1864.
COMPANY G
Captains : E. Clarke, August 23, 1862 to January 12, 1863; A. E. Mather, January 4 to May 3, 1863; F. Gorton, May 3, 1863 to October 4, 1864; H. C. VanScoy, January 24 to June 25, 1865.
First Lieutenants: J. D. Clyde, August 23 to November 24, 1862; F. W. Morse, December 15, 1862 to January 5, 1863; A. E. Mather, December 20, 1862 to January 14, 1863; L. C. Bartlett, June 22, 1863 to ; S. J. Redway, July 25 to December 11, 1864; W. H. Tucker, April 17 to October 19, 1864; H. C. VanScoy, January 1 to January 24, 1865; M. C. Foote, March 26 to June 24, 1865.
Second Lieutenants: C. T. Ferguson, August 23 to November 12, 1862; Henry Upton, March 11 to April 15, 1863; F. W. Ford, April 15 to May 3, 1863; H. B. Walker, May 4, 1863 to January 8, 1864; E. Oaks, December 24, 1864 to April 20, 1865.
COMPANY H
Captains: J. Ramsey, August 23 to October 20, 1862; T. S. Arnold, October 19, 1862 to May 18,
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1863; A. M. Tyler, June 16, 1863 to July 21, 1865; C. A. Butts, April 19 to May 10, 1864; T. C. Adams, May 10 to October 14, 1864; L. B. Paine, December 16, 1864 to June 25, 1865.
First Lieutenants: U. F. Doubleday, August 23, 1862 to May 3, 1863; C. E. Butts, April 10, 1863 to April 19, 1864; H. C. VanScoy, March 15 to May 13, 1864; E. C. Weaver, May 19, 1864 to February 14, 1865; J. H. Heath, February 17 to June 25, 1865.
Second Lieutenants: M. C. Casler, August 18 to December 31, 1862; S. Miller, February 20 to May 13, 1863; H. C. VanScoy, May 20, 1863 to March 15, 1864; E. C. Weaver, May 3 to May 10, 1864; N. A. Armstrong, February 10 to June 25, 1865.
COMPANY I
Captains : John S. Kidder, August 18, 1862 to June 22, 1865.
First Lieutenants : J. D. Douw, August 23, 1862 to April 23, 1863; D. Bates, May 4, 1863 to March 15, 1864; F. W. Foote, March 16 to September 24, 1864; J. H. Heath, December 24, 1864 to Feb- ruary 17, 1865; P. R. Woodcock, February 22 to June 25, 1865.
Second Lieutenants: D. Bates, August 18, 1862 to May 4, 1863; F. W. Foote, July 20, 1862 to March 16, 1864; J. A. Taft, April 29 to June 25, 1865.
COMPANY K
Captains : S. M. Olin, August 18 to December 27, 1862; J. D. P. Douw, April 24, 1863 to November 11, 1864; T. J. Hassett, April 29 to June 24, 1865. First Lieutenants: A. E. Mather, August 18 to December 20, 1862; M. C. Casler, December 31, 1862 to January 28, 1863; F. Gorton, January 28 to May 3, 1863; L. C. Bartlett,
-; H. Duroe, October 25, 1864 to March 25, 1865;
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1
T. J. Hassett, March 21 to April 20, 1865; S. J. Redway, June 1 to July 25, 1864.
Second Lieutenants: F. Gorton, August 18 to November 20, 1862; A. C. Rice, January 23 to March 13, 1863; S. J. Redway, April 19, 1863 to June 1, 1864; W. H. H. Goodier, May 22 to June 24, 1865.
To the list of line officers the following named are to be added as by act of Congress :
Captains: F. W. Morse, Erastus Wheeler.
First Lieutenants: John D. Gray, Charles Ham- man, Wm. H. House, Edward P. Johnson and Daniel Stark.
Second Lieutenants: Dennis A. Dewey, John M. Edwards, Joseph H. Heath, Edward P. Johnson, John V. N. Kent, Elias C. Mather and Charles F. Pattingill.
On September 15, 1865, the following brevets were granted for distinguished conduct on dif- ferent occasions: Major James W. Cronkite to be Lieutenant Colonel; Captains John S. Kidder, James W. Johnston, Daniel D. Jackson and Hiram S. VanScoy to be Majors; Lieutenants Frank E. Lowe, Morris C. Foote and Thomas J. Hassett to be Captains.
On June 24, 1865, six officers and 448 enlisted men are reported as transferred to the 65th New York Veteran Volunteers. The officers were Sur- geon Kimball and Captains Hassett, Tyler, Bart- lett and Hall, and Lieut. Eli Oaks.
Undoubtedly no event in the history of the regi- ment since the war has been of so much impor- tance and interest as the erection of the monument on the battle field of Gettysburg. An account of it belongs naturally in a published history of the regiment.
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In 1886 an act was passed by the Legislature of the State appointing a commission to determine the location and the movements of the eighty-two organizations from New York that participated in that battle, and the next year another act was passed appropriating $1500.00 for the erection of a monument to mark the spot each organization had occupied.
The commission requested that a committee be appointed from the 121st to assist in locating the position held by the regiment. This request was sent to Colonel Cronkite who passed it to the president of the Regimental Association, and he appointed a temporary committee, consisting of Comrades John S. Kidder, James W. Cronkite, Clinton Beckwith, Douglas Campbell, Frank E. Lowe and George McClean. This committee re- ported at the next meeting of the association, and a permanent Gettysburg memorial committee was appointed as follows: John S. Kidder, James W. Cronkite, Clinton Beckwith, Timothy Dasey, An- drew Davidson, Elias C. Mather, Douglas Camp- bell, Herman I. Johnson, Frank E. Lowe, J. K. Tyler and J. M. Lovejoy. This committee met on October 7, 1887 and organized by electing as offi- cers, President J. W. Cronkite, Treasurer J. S. Kidder, Secretary Frank E. Lowe, Corresponding Secretary J. M. Lovejoy. Executive committee, Comrades Cronkite, Kidder, Beckwith, Lovejoy, Davidson and H. I. Johnson.
The work of this committee was so energetically and efficiently done in canvassing for additional funds, that the monument might be worthy of the fame of the regiment, in selecting and contracting for the monument and in locating the position it should occupy, that the day of dedication was fixed for October 10, 1889.
The location is on the north west slope of Little
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Round Top. The monument stands on the spot where the flag of the regiment was placed. Two granite markers fix the position of the flanks of the line, and from the location a view of nearly all the battle ground is obtained.
The monument is composed of four pieces of the best Quincy granite, surmounted by the figure of a soldier seven feet in height, made of American standard bronze. The base is six feet square and the entire height is fourteen feet and three inches.
On the front is the legend, "The 121st New York Infantry (Colonel Emory Upton), 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 6th Corps, held this position from the evening of June 2d, until the close of the battle." There are also on the front the 6th Corps cross, and the coat of arms of the State of New York.
The reverse side has a life size medallion of Colonel Emory Upton in bronze. On one side a bronze panel contains the inscription, "Organized in Herkimer and Otsego Counties; Mustered in August 23, 1862; Officers 30, Men 910; Casualties, killed and mortally wounded: Officers 14, Men 212 (This total of killed and mortally wounded should be 275 as shown by preceding record) ; Wounded: Officers 27, Men 596; Died of Disease : Officers 4, Men 117; Discharged for wounds, dis- ease, etc .: Officers 37, Men 283; Transferred to other commands: Officers 12, Men 262; Mustered Out June 25, 1865, Officers 25, Men 283."
The bronze panel on the other side contains the list of the battles for which the regiment is credited in the military archives at Washington as follows : "Crampton's Pass, Fredericksburg, Mary's Heights, Salem Church, Salem Heights, Gettysburg, Rap- pahannock Station, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spott- sylvania C. H., North Anna, Totopotomy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Fort Stevens D. C., Summit Point, Winchester (Opequon), Fisher's Hill, New
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1215₸
N.Y. INFANTRY
CO: EMSPY OPTON
2: BFC IST DY 6TH CORPS
HELO TH'S POSITION
FROM EVENING OF JULY 201963.
UNTIL CLOSE OF SATT.
OUR REGIMENTAL MONUMENT,
Located on the northern slope of Little Round Top, Battlefield of Gettysburg. Photo by Lieut. Jas. H. Smith.
THE ORIGINAL FLAG OF THE 121ST N. Y. INFANTRY. Presented by the ladies of Herkimer and Otsego counties. Photographed about thirty years after the war by Lieut. Jas. H. Smith.
THE GUIDONS OF THE 121ST N. Y. INFANTRY, Photographed about thirty years after the war by Lieut. Jas. H. Smith.
Market, Cedar Creek, Hatcher's Run, Petersburg (Fort Fisher), Petersburg (Assault), Sailor's Creek, Appomattox C. H."
At the Dedicatory Exercises held on October 10, 1889, music was furnished by the Gettysburg band, prayer was offered and the benediction pro- nounced by the Rev. J. R. Dunkerly of Gettysburg. The monument was unveiled by Mrs. Maria Upton Hanford, an Oration was given by the Hon. A. M. Mills of Little Falls and an original poem was read by Prof. A. H. J. Watkins.
Colonel Cronkite, who presided, read letters from Generals H. G. Wright, H. W. Slocum and Colonel Cowen, who commanded the battery fre- quently mentioned in the history. He also read a short speech made by General Upton when he entered Augusta, Georgia, on May 8, 1865.
"Soldiers, four years ago the Governor of Georgia, at the head of an armed force, hauled down the American flag at this Arsenal. The President of the United States called the nation to arms to repossess the forts and arsenals that had been seized. After four years of sanguinary war and conflict, we execute the order of the great preserver of the Union and liberty, and to-day we again hoist the Stars and Stripes over the Arsenal at Augusta. Majestically, triumphantly, she rises."
The company that assembled at the dedication of the monument consisted of ninety-eight persons, comrades, their wives and sons. A picture of them clustered around the monument was taken. It may be well to add that the number of surviving comrades of the regiment at that date was re- ported to be 163, and the contributors to the monumental fund numbered 581. The cost of the monument and the two markers was $2,000.00. It is accounted one of the finest regimental monuments on the battle field of Gettysburg.
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The surviving members of the regiment so far as known to the secretary at the date of this writ- ing are :
Quartermaster Theodore Sternberg, Major U. S. A., retired, Kanopolis, Kans.
Lieut. N. A. Armstrong, Warren, N. Y.
Lieut. G. P. Borden, Brigadier General, U. S. A., retired, 330 W. 95th St., New York City.
Lieut. Charles M. Bradt, M. D., St. Charles, Mich. Lieut. Dennis A. Dewey, Captain 108 U. S. C. T., West Winfield, N. Y.
Lieut. Francis N. Piper, 148 Webster Ave., Syra- cuse, N. Y.
Lieut. G. W. Quackenbush, 2746 S. Lincoln, Engle- wood, Denver, Colo.
Lieut. James H. Smith, 3541 Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago, Ill.
NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND PRIVATES
COMPANY A
Thomas Barnaby, West Chazy, N. Y.
Rev. Isaac O. Best, Broadalbin, N. Y.
H. S. Burnham, 507 Park Ave., Woonsocket, R. I. J. W. Chapin, 1731 Columbia Road, Washington, D. C.
Albert H. Clark, Council Bluffs, Iowa. Lewis Dupee, East Beekmantown, N. Y.
Jeremiah Gratton, 190 Webster St., Malone, N. Y. Lewis Gratton, West Constableville, N. Y.
W. H. Jones, 407 Ballinger St., Herkimer, N. Y. Oliver King, Mooers, N. Y.
Rev. Eli P. LaCell, 1404 4th St., Santa Rosa, Cal. George M. McCourt, London, Wis.
Smith Pine, Keeseville, N. Y.
Warren P. Smith, West Coxsackie, N. Y.
Georga A. Vossler, 39 Harrington St., Pough- keepsie, N. Y.
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A. Walrath, Atkinson, Nch.
John H. Warmouth, Box 83, Oneida, N. Y.
COMPANY B
Col. Clinton Beckwith, 108 Mary St., Herkimer, N. Y.
C. C. Catlin, Melvin, Kan.
Mydret W. Gardner, 1614 W. 19th St., Sioux City, Iowa.
Philip Goodman, Soldiers' Home, Hampton Roads, Va.
R. A. Jackson, Boonville, N. Y.
Josiah King, Soldiers' Home, Bath, N. Y.
Ira D. Warren, Zumbrota, Minn.
Leonard Ward, R. F. D. No. 3, Onconta, N. Y.
Damon O. Yates, R. F. D. No. 33, South Dayton, N. Y.
W. W. Young, R. F. D. No. 1, Ilion, N. Y.
Thomas H. Yoemans, Soldiers' Home, Bath, N. Y.
COMPANY C
O. B. Austin, Norwood, N. Y.
M. H. Doland, Milburn, N. J.
William Joyce, County Hospital, Astoria, Ore.
Timothy Kavenaugh, Middleville, N. Y.
Edward Mabey, R. F. D. No. 1, Johnstown, N. Y.
William Myers, 86 John St., Little Falls, N. Y.
A. T. Orvis, Cold Brook, N. Y.
James H. Smith, Philadelphia, N. Y.
James B. Schaffner, 213 Mohawk St., Herkimer, N. Y.
Thomas Topper, Avonlea, Saskatchewan, Canada.
COMPANY D
Fred Bryce, Ilion, N. Y. H. W. Cadwell, Jordanville, N. Y. William Dubois, Atwood, N. Y.
M. D. Elwood, 1109 City St., Utica, N. Y.
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A. A. Gilespie, Duke Center, Penn. George H. Gilbert, Reed City, Mich. Levi Helmer, Dodgeville, N. Y.
J. W. Hartley, Waterville, N. Y.
J. H. Leonardson, R. F. D. No 7, Canastota, N Y. Charles Rice, 36 Winter St., West End Station, Me. Burrell Rice, Salisbury Center, N. Y.
C. Thurston, Belfast, Me.
Milo B. Tanner, 1046 Emerson St., Sheldon, Wyo.
COMPANY E
James T. Clark, 37 Robinson St., Schenectady, N. Y. C. A. Farr, Osborn, Mo.
E. M. Irons, Hartwick, N. Y.
E C. Irons, Crandall's Hotel, Binghamton, N. Y. George M. Lemon, 1202 6th Ave., Watervleit, N. Y. Joseph Lockwood, R. F. D. No. 1, Alleghany, N. Y. W. G. Palmer, Lisle, N. Y.
J. H. Smythe, VanHornsville, N. Y.
Orville O. Seeger, 14 Beech St., Cooperstown, N. Y. Lorenzo Smith, 425 E. Lincoln Way, Kearney, Neb. Hiram Vanaram, Ausable Chasm, N. Y.
J. H. Walrath, Johnstown, N. Y.
W. H. Waffle, Kendall, Wis.
Abram Woodruff, Springville, N. Y.
Rev. Henry Wood, 215 E. 25th St., Kearney, Neb.
COMPANY F
Fred Albright, Unadilla, N. Y.
Otis B. Flanders, R. F. D., Woodstock, Ill.
S. D. French, Nashua, Iowa.
David R. Harris, Delhi, N. Y.
W. A. Johnson, Schuyler Lake, N. Y.
Hiram Krill, 19 Austin St., Rochester, N. Y.
W. G. Lobdell, Unadilla, N. Y.
H. E. Morgan, Clarkton, Mich.
Adelbert J. Reed, Oviedo, Fla.
Edward Tillinghast, Box 686, Camden, N. Y.
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COMPANY G
G. M. Boorn, Richmondville, N. Y.
C. M. Butterfield, St. Charles, Mich.
J. H. Brandon, Prairie Depot, Ohio. Perry F. Cole, Afton, N. Y.
Henry M. Delong, Soldiers' Home, Milwaukee, Wis. Harrison Hadsell, South Valley, N. Y.
E. M. Hunt, Roseboom, N. Y.
J. E. Hoover, 1514 Sunset Ave., Utica, N. Y.
Joseph D. Lamb, Santa Rosa, Cal.
John W. Manzer, Bellevue, Mich.
H. W. Martin, Bedford, P. Q., Canada. J. L. Merrit, Cattaraugus, N. Y. Henry V. Redington, Sidney, Neb.
David H. Randolph, 325 E. Seneca St., Ithaca, N. Y.
S. H. Sherman, Millford, N. Y.
Peter Simmons, Cherry Valley, N. Y.
David Wright, 56 Third St., Ilion, N. Y.
COMPANY H
Warren E. Dockman, Lytle, Colo.
Henry O. Eason, Schuyler Lake, N. Y.
Willard P. Foote, Fremont, Neb.
C. I. Haines, R. F. D. No. 2, Box 15, Ossining, N. Y. Joseph Lumbra, Montgomery, Vt.
Wilson VanAuken, Bushkill, Pa.
Charles VanHousen, Soldiers' Home, Bath, N. Y.
COMPANY I
James Baker, 54 Upson Ave., Winstead, Conn.
Robert Brundage, North Wolcott, N. Y.
Edwin Butler, Box 168, Springfield, Vt. William H. Cole, Hobart, N. Y.
H. J. Goodrich, Worcester, N. Y.
G. W. Hubbard, Tustin, Cal.
Ransome C. Luther, 2002 Madison St., Madison, Wis.
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C. N. Merrill, East Worcester, N. Y. Charles Nichols, Morris, N. Y. Gilbert Olds, R. F. D., S. New Berlin, N. Y. Peter Russlo, Gatineau Point, P. Q., Canada. A. S. Tanner, Groton, N. Y. Austin Tiel, 147 Buena Vista Ave., Yonkers, N. Y. C. J. Westcott, 40 Elm St. Onconta, N. Y. Charles Wilsey, Worcester, N. Y.
COMPANY K
Hugh M. Brown, Bethel, N. Y. John Brucher, Bethel, N. Y.
G. W. Wallace, Clay Center, Kan.
The secretary reports thirty-nine others whose residences and condition are not known to him.
The invitation given to all surviving members of the regiment to send the story of their lives since the war, so that a sketch of events that would be of interest to all might be given in the Appendix to the history, has not been responded to as fully as was hoped and expected. The author has not been acquainted with the political and economic history of the 20th Senatorial District, and so has no personal information to give of those who have risen to distinction, as private citizens. Therefore this feature of the history will be of meager in- terest.
Sergeant Robert Chatterton responded to the request by sending a very interesting article about Robert E. Lee, and giving a fine picture of him as he appeared when a young man and an officer in the U. S. Army.
An interesting letter from Mrs. Lillian Water- man Brady gives the record of her father's service, Perrin Waterman, and of his standing in the G. A. R. Post, of which he held all the offices in its gift. But the special item of interest in the story
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is that he drove the ambulance in which the body of General Russell was taken from Winchester to Harper's Ferry. The wound in his hand received at Spottsylvania, disabled him from handling a gun, and he served in the Ambulance Corps to the end of the war. Colonel Solomon W. Russell was in command of the party, under orders to take the body of General Russell to his home at Salem, New York, for burial. A cavalry escort acconl- panied the ambulance.
W. W. Young wrote from the National Soldiers' Home, Virginia, that his health is very much shat- tered. Since the close of the war he has been Justice of the Peace, Post Commander, President of the Regimental Association, Delegate to the National Encampment in 1901, Delegate to the State Encampment three times, five times A. D. C. on the Department Staff, is a member of the Na- tional Association of Ex-prisoners of War and has a medal of honor given by the State of New York.
It will be a pleasure to the readers of this history to learn of the after-war history of Colonel Beck- with whose narrative constitutes so large a part of the compilation made by the author. Politically, Comrade Beckwith is a Democrat, and in 1894 was appointed by Governor Flower, Assistant State Engineer with the rank of Colonel, his commission being dated November 12, 1894. He was also ap- pointed by Governor Flower, a member of the New York Monument Commission on which he has served ever since. He "has had charge of the erection of a number of monuments and has designed several, among which are General Webb's of the 'Bloody Angle' at Gettysburg, and General Wadsworth at Gettysburg and Generals Doubleday's and Robinson's at Gettysburg, one at Knoxville, Tennessee, one at Vicksburg, one at Antietam, Maryland and a number of monuments
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at other points on the battle fields of Gettysburg, Antietam, Lookout Mountain, Chicamaugua and in the vicinity of Richmond, all of which are an honor and credit to the State of New York." Com- rade Beekwith was also a member of the National Democratic Conventions which nominated for President Grover Cleveland, W. J. Bryan and Alton B. Parker. He was a member of the State Demo- cratic Committee for twenty-five years and when he retired he was the oldest by service of any member of it. He has been by occupation a con- tractor, and been engaged in some important works, as for instance, the Washington Aquaduct Tunnel and the New York Aquaduct Tunnel from Croton to shaft 12 B on the Jay Gould estate near Tarrytown, Westchester County and in many other places, where with partner, John V. Quacken- bush, were engaged in the construction of the four-tracking of the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. and in the construction of the West Shore, or N. Y. & Buffalo R. R. and many other contracts for the State of New York and the city of Boston. In civil life he has been Supervisor, President of the village of Herkimer and recently has been busy in public works. "Now, having reached the allotted age of man and being tired, I have retired from active service, having done my share, I think. But as long as there is anything for me to do of service to my country and people, and I am able, I will undertake it."
Captain Davidson, after serving in the U. S. C. T., 30th Regiment and earning a medal of honor, became editor of the Otsego Republican and after- wards was made Commander of the Soldiers' Home at Bath, N. Y.
Dennis A. Dewey in the spring of 1864 went before General Casey's board and was examined for a commission in the U. S. C. T. He passed
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with the grade of "Captain of the First Class," but when the order came to report to his regiment, the 108th U. S. C. T. in Tennessee, he was a pris- oner, having been captured in the battle of the Wilderness. Being paroled and in precarious health, he made application for the commission earned and it was granted. He was commissioned as Captain by special order of the War Depart- ment, and mustered in as Captain of the 108th U. S. C. T. and immediately resigned, and was honorably discharged from that regiment. He had been previously commissioned as Second Lieu- tenant in the 121st, but not mustered. The act of Congress afterwards passed, declared all such com- missioned men to be mustered into the service and entitled to pay from the date of their com- mission.
The other transfers from the 121st to the colored troops were:
Delevan Bates to the 30th Regiment. This regi- ment under the command of Colonel Bates dis- tinguished itself at the "Battle of the Crater" in front of Petersburg and Comrade Bates was awarded a medal of honor. Some of us remember his description of that fight, given at a recent reunion of the Association.
Major A. E. Mather was transferred to the 20th Regiment, U. S. C. T, as Lieutenant Colonel. He had served in the 121st as first lieutenant, captain and major.
First Lieut. J. D. Gray was transferred to the 23d Regiment, U. S. C. T., as Captain. He had served in the 121st as private, sergeant, second and first lieutenant.
Elias C. Mather was transferred to the 20th Regi- ment. U. S. C. T., as Captain. He had served in the 121st as sergeant and second lieutenant.
Cleveland Campbell, Adjutant of the 152d In-
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: .
fantry, was transferred as Captain to the 121st April 22, 1863 and on March 20, 1864, was trans- ferred as Colonel to the 23d Regiment, U. S. C. T. His examination was so excellent that he was in- vited to sit on the board of examiners.
Lieutenant James H. Smith was mustered out with the regiment at Hall's Hill and with his sons, is now located at 3541 Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago, Illinois, manufacturing Victor Photographic Spe- cialties. He, at this writing, is commander of the Loyal Legion of Illinois, also of the Geo. H. Thomas Post of the G. A. R., the largest in the state. At the last reunion of the regiment he gave a very interesting lantern slide exhibition of the National Parks of the United States, of views, many of which he had himself taken, and therefore was enabled to vividly describe. The collection and reproduction of the illustrations of this history arc his work, and the author wishes to express his appreciation of the help and encouragement he has received so generously from Comrade Smith.
Lieutenant Philip R. Woodcock was mustered out with the regiment at Hall's Hill and became a successful business man in Rochester. As long as he was able he was a faithful attendant at the reunions of the 121st, and it became his recog- nized duty on each Memorial Day to place a wreath of flowers upon the grave of General Upton, in the name and at the expense of the Association.
There are no doubt many other comrades of the regiment whose records would be interesting, and would add to the completeness of the History, but the compiler does not know them personally, nor can he divine the prominent positions they have held, or the noble work they have done; but he is confident that the men who met so bravely and unflinchingly the exigencies of war, have not failed to meet the demands of peace, with like fortitude and success.
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In 1876 an Association of the Veterans of the 121st New York Volunteer Infantry was organized and last year at its forty-fourth reunion at Ilion, the action was taken which assigned to the author the duty of compiling a history of the regiment, to be reported upon at the next meeting of the Association. The task has not been an easy one, nor has the time been sufficient to gather all the information that might be considered important, but the work has been intensely interesting to the writer and he hopes that it will be received with kindly tolerance by the veterans and their friends. In order to distribute the responsibility, he has requested Comrades Clinton Beckwith, C. J. West- cott and James H. Smith to act as a committee to examine and criticize the manuscript, ascertain the cost of publication and report to the association at its next meeting.
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INDEX
CHAPTER
PAGE
I 20th Senatorial District-State and County Committees Appointed by Governor-Town- ships in Which Companies Were Raised- Camp Schuyler-Muster of Regiment ·
1
II Ordered to Washington-Col. Clinton Beck- with's Story to Be Used-Reviewed by Pres- ident Lincoln-Assignment to Brigade-The 5th Maine and 121st N. Y.
III The Military Situation in Maryland-South Mountain Range-Battle of Crampton's Pass -At Antietam the Day After the Battle . 15
6
IV Colonel Franchott Succeeded by Colonel Upton -Upton's Previous Service and Character- Forward Movement under Mcclellan-Up- ton's Discipline-Burnside Succeeds McClel- lan-Reorganization by Burnside . The Battle of Fredericksburg-A Day on the Skirmish Line-The Mud March-Burnside Relieved by Hooker-President Lincoln's Let- ter to Hooker
39
VI Reorganization of the Army by Hooker-Cross- ing the River in Pontoon Boats-the 6th Corps at Fredericksburg-Capture of Marye's Heights-The Battle of Salem Church-Suc- cessful Withdrawal to Bank's Ford-The Brandy Bottle in War .
58
VIII
VII The Final March to Gettysburg-Position of 121st at Gettysburg-Prompt Pursuit of Lee Brigade Headquarters Attacked by Moseby- The Battle of Rappahannock Station-Adjt. Gen. R. P. Wilson-The Importance of the Victory-Mine Run-General Bartlett Visits the Regiment-His Speech-Life in Winter Quarters at Hazel Run 92
84
IX Regimental Organization in May, 1864-The Wilderness Campaign Begun May 4-Lee's Army Organization-The Battle of the Wilder- ness-The Right Flank Turned-Restored by the 121st-The Woods on Fire . 115
253
.
26
PAGE
CHAPTER X May 10th Assault-Capture of Enemy's Works -Failure of Support-Orderly Withdrawal -Responsibility for Failure-Colonel Olcott Wounded and Captured-Upton's Promotion to Brig. Gen'l .- The Bloody Angle 124 XI The Angle Described-Upton's Report of Battle -- The Tree Cut Down by Bullets-The Ap- pearance of Field Next Morning 141
XIII
XII Meyer's Hill Affair-Jericho Ford-Destroying R. R .- Sheridan's Raid Around Lee's Army 149 Charge of 2nd Conn .- Withdrawal-Shriek of Wounded Man 154
XIV General Lee Mystified-At Bermuda Hundreds- A Sutler Comes to Grief-Arrival at Peters- burg-A Mortar Shell . 162
XV Ordered to Washington-Reception at Washing- ton-At Fort Stevens-Lincoln and General Wright-Pursuit of Early to Snickersville Ford-Early Advance . 169
XVI Sheridan Takes Command-Itinerary of Brigade in Valley-The Opequon Battle-General Rus- sell Killed - Upton Wounded - Battle of Fisher's Hill-The Exposed Flank . . 176 .
XVII General Gordon's Strategy at Cedar Creek-The Successful Attack-Advance Checked - The Enemy Routed . 189
XVIII Return to Petersburg-Hatcher's Run-The Attack on Ft. Steadman-A Successful Charge 202 XIX The Brigade Sent to 19th Corps-Skirmishes into Petersburg-The Pursuit of Lee-Bat- tle of Sailor's Creek - Colonel Cronkite Wounded . 208
XX Lee's Surrender-Sixth Corps Sent South to Burkesville and Danville-Receives Recruits and Officers Mustered to Full Ranks-Returns to Washington and 121st Is Mustered Out at Halls Hill, Va. . 219 APPENDIX-The Number of Men in Regiment Uncertain -Table of Losses-List of Officers and Their Terms of Service-Transfers to 65th N. Y. Vet. Vols .- Gettysburg Monument-Roster of Surviving Members - Personal Mention - Transfers to U. S. C. T .- Regimental Associa- tion-Historical Committee . 229
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E. ALETRONG
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