History Of The 121st New York State Infantry

Isaac O. Best...

6 minute read

Read Chapter

Foreword

In compiling a History of the 121st Regiment of New York Volunteers, the writer feels handicapped by Two facts: He is not an original member of the regiment, but was transferred from the 16th N. Y. in the spring of 1863; and after his transfer, he did not serve in the regiment, having previously been detailed for clerical duty in the Office of the Adjutant General of the Brigade. Consequently he never had that close personal relation with the members of the regiment that would give to his writin

3 minute read

Read Chapter

Introduction

As each individual of a family is distinguished from the rest by peculiar characteristics, and each family in a community differs from every other family, so nations and races are distinguishable in like manner, the regiments, brigades and corps of an army acquire peculiarities by which they can be distinguished from all others. These peculiarities depend upon and are developed by several conditions. The. character of the men composing the organization, the circumstances under which it was organ

1 minute read

Read Chapter

1: The Organization Of The 121st New York Volunteers

When on July 2, 1862, President Lincoln issued the call for 300,000 men, the war for the Union had reached such proportions, and the military situation was so critical, that the patriotic enthusiasm that had characterized the organization of the volunteer army in 1861 no longer availed to procure the troops necessary to fill the quota required from the State, and a systematic and earnest effort was necessary. This effort developed in Two directions: First, to fill up the older regiments with rec

5 minute read

Read Chapter

Chapter II. Ordered to Washington

The defeat of McClellan before Richmond, and his retreat to Harrison's Landing so uncovered Washington to an advance of the Confederate army, that it became necessary to rush additional forces to the defense of the capital of the nation, and only a week was allowed for equipment and drill of the 121st at Camp Schuyler. On August 30th the regiment left camp under orders to proceed to Washington. The journey was made by railroad to Albany, by boat to New York, and by railroad through Philadelphia

14 minute read

Read Chapter

Chapter III. The military situation in Maryland

As the army advanced in Maryland, the military situation became more clearly defined. The Confederate army occupied the passes of the South Mountain range, that is the continuation north of the Potomac of the Blue Ridge and it became evident that to get at the main force of the enemy it would be necessary to wrest from him the passes of this range of mountains. To the Sixth Corps was assigned the attack upon Crampton's Pass, the One farthest south and nearest Harper's Ferry. The head of the colu

17 minute read

Read Chapter

Chapter IV. Colonel Franchott succeeded by Colonel Upton

I was very glad when we left the vicinity of the Battle of Antietam, for its horrors sickened me. We moved away and in the distance of a few miles in the direction we took, no appearances of battle were present. The country took on a peaceable look. We reached our destination in the neighborhood of Bakersville, also near Dam No. 4 on the Potomac River, along the bluff bank of which we picketed in our turn with the other regiments of our Brigade. The encampment at Bakersville was protracted until

20 minute read

Read Chapter

5: The Battle Of Fredericksburg

The weather was cool and the air crisp, rendering marching more agreeable, and we jogged along in eager anticipation of something better than that which we had left. We could see nothing ahead of us, but about noon the report of cannon was heard. During the afternoon we were passed by a lot of men having in charge a balloon which was up just above the treetops They were moving rapidly toward where the sound of cannon came from. It was the First balloon we had seen, and created a good deal of com

30 minute read

Read Chapter

6: The Chancellorsville Campaign

The Army of the Potomac as reorganized under General Hooker consisted of Seven corps, the First commanded by General John F. Reynolds; the Second, commanded by General D. N. Couch; the Third, commanded by General D. N. Sickles; the Fifth, commanded by General George G. Meade; the Sixth, commanded by General John Sedgwick; the Eleventh, commanded by Franz Siegel; and the Twelfth, commanded by General H. W. Slocum. All these were Major Generals and had won distinction in previous campaigns. It is

42 minute read

Read Chapter

7: The Gettysburg Campaign

The reoccupation of its old position in the vicinity of Fredericksburg by the Army of the Potomac was of short duration. General Lee made that impossible by beginning another advance toward Washington by way of the Shenandoah Valley and to defeat this movement, General Hooker, who had recovered his energy, and had spent the intervening time in refitting and restoring the shattered morale of his army, began a rapid movement northward, virtually over the same ground on which the advance had been m

13 minute read

Read Chapter

8: Meade And Lee's Game Of Strategy

This time however there was no long delay to refurnish and recruit. Lee crossed the river on the 15th of July. On the next day, the 16th of July, the Army of the Potomac began its advance into Virginia by the same route it had used after the Battle of Antietam. The 121st, now reduced to Fourteen line officers present for duty, with Major Mather in command, took up the line of march through Boonsborough, Middletown and Burkettsville to the old crossing of the Potomac, at Berlin. Lieut.-Col. Olcot

33 minute read

Read Chapter

9: Under Grant In The Wilderness

When the winter was over and the campaign of 1864 began the regiment was officered as follows: Colonel Upton commanding the brigade; Lieutenant Colonel Olcott commanding the regiment; Major, H. M. Galpin; Surgeon, John O. Slocum; Asst. Surgeon, D. M. Holt; Adjutant, F. M. Morse, serving as Aide-de-Camp to Colonel Upton; Quartermaster, Theo. Sternberg. Company A. Captain Jonathan Burrell, First Lieutenant Wm. H. Tucker, Second Lieutenant Samuel B. Kelley. Company B. Captain M. R. Casler, First Li

14 minute read

Read Chapter

10: The Tenth Of May

From the 5th to the 10th of May the regiment, with the brigade, occupied several positions of importance, covering the Left wing of the army, and on Two occasions came into skirmish action with the enemy, and suffered several casualties. On the 10th of May the regiment formed a part of the First line of an assault on the entrenchments of the enemy, which was brilliantly successful and ought to have resulted in the utter rout of Lee's army. The account of this sanguinary assault is best begun by

26 minute read

Read Chapter

11: The Bloody Angle

The angle in the fortifications of the enemy was obtuse and turned back from the ridge along which the line to the left ran. This ridge continued for some distance to the right from the apex of the angle. A tree of considerable size stood at the angle, and from it in both directions traverses were built at frequent distances along the rifle pits to protect their occupants from a flank fire. The works were of the most formidable character, with the log on the top to protect the heads of the defen

12 minute read

Read Chapter

12: From The Angle To Cold Harbor

The 121st came out of this engagement with Four company officers and 185 enlisted men present for duty, and was held in reserve with the rest of the brigade during the 13th of May, but on the 14th the brigade was ordered to cross the Nye River and occupy Myer's Hill, an elevation to the left, and in front of the Fifth Corps. At this point quite a sharp engagement occurred. The position was occupied easily, but being attacked sharply by a force large enough to flank the troops engaged, they were

7 minute read

Read Chapter

13: Cold Harbor

Cold Harbor is One of the points near Richmond which General McClellan reached during the Peninsular campaign and from which he was compelled to retire at the beginning of his retreat to Harrison's Landing on the James. It is situated about directly northeast of Richmond, and almost within sight of the city. General Lee having correctly interpreted the design of General Grant, had transferred his army to this point and was found occupying works advantageously located and very strongly constructe

13 minute read

Read Chapter

14: From Cold Harbor To Petersburg

It is generally conceded that General Grant's purpose in the movement from Cold Harbor was not anticipated by General Lee. All his other movements had been accurately divined so that he was able to get to the position most advantageous to him before the advance of the Union army had reached it in sufficient force to hold it. This movement to the James River seems to have left Lee in perplexity as to where the Army of the Potomac was, and where it was going. The part which the 121st took in it, i

11 minute read

Read Chapter

15: From Petersburg To Harper's Ferry

The Fourth of July was duly celebrated along the lines in front of Petersburg and Richmond by a shotted salute of all the cannon along our extended line. It must have been a day of seriousness to the Confederate authorities and people. The war was evidently going against them, and the old flag was floating over the camps that were constantly encroaching on their narrowing lines of defense; and on the vessels closing all the seaports of Rebeldom. To break the tightening grip of Grant upon the def

9 minute read

Read Chapter

16: With Sheridan In The Shenandoah Valley

Some of the troops of General Hunter after his disastrous defeat by Early, had by a circuitous route arrived at Harper's Ferry, and with the Two corps returned there, constituted considerable of an army. General Hunter resigned and General Sheridan was sent to command the department constituted as the Middle Military Division, and the army was designated as “The Army of the Shenandoah.”It was Sheridan's first independent command, and he was cautioned against attempting any general engagement unt

21 minute read

Read Chapter

17: With Sheridan In The Shenandoah Valley (Continued). Cedar Creek

The Army of the Shenandoah settled down in its fortified camp behind Cedar Creek with perfect confidence that it was secure from any successful attack by the forces under General Early. But that doughty warrior thought otherwise and planned to make One more attempt to win back his laurels as a fighter and strategist. His First plan was to make a surprise attack upon the right flank of the Union army. But General Gordon persuaded him to make the attack on the left. Gordon led his men by a narrow

20 minute read

Read Chapter

18: Back To Petersburg And Winter Quarters

The corps remained in the camp near Middletown until November 9th, the men doing only picket and guard duty. Then it retired to Kernstown where a slight skirmish with the enemy occurred on the morning of the 10th. Picket and guard duty continued until the 1st of December, when the corps broke camp and marching to Stevenson's Station entrained for Washington. The next day it embarked on steamers and arrived at City Point on the 4th. There cars were taken to Parke's Station. Here the railroad was

8 minute read

Read Chapter

19: The Capture Of Petersburg By 6th Corps

The 31st of March was spent by the 121st on the skirmish line, and on its return to camp, orders were received to hold itself in readiness for moving at a moment's notice. On the 1st of April firing was heard off to the left, and it was rumored that the 5th Corps had already begun the anticipated attack upon the enemy's works. At 10 o'clock of April 1st the 6th Corps, under orders to leave all unnecessary accoutrements under guard in camp, and to move as quietly as possible in light marching ord

18 minute read

Read Chapter

20: Appomattox And After

The battle of Sailor's Creek to the 6th Corps was of special interest, for it settled by the capture of General Ewell and the remnants of his corps a long succession of bitter conflicts between them. They had met during the previous year, in the Wilderness, May 5th and 6th, again on May 10th in the charge led by General Upton that broke through their works. In the all day fight of the 12th of May they had again been antagonists. The campaign in the Valley of the Shenandoah had been waged against

14 minute read

Read Chapter

Appendix

The regiment left Fort Schuyler with 30 officers and 946 enlisted men or a total of.. 976 It received by transfer: From the 16th New York, 125; from the 18th New York, 31; total .................................... 156 From the 27th New York, 3; from the 31st New York, 2; total ....................... 5 From the 32d New York, 33; from other organizations, 63; total .................... 96 Recruits, including officers and men to January 1, 1865 .............................. 169 Recruits, includi

33 minute read

Read Chapter