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Service
Mustered in: May 20, 1861
Mustered out: May 18, 1863
The following is taken from New York in the War of the Rebellion, 3rd ed. Frederick Phisterer. Albany: J. B. Lyon Company, 1912.
This regiment, Col. W. F. Rogers, was accepted by the State for a service of two years, and numerically designated May 13, 1861; organized at Elmira, and there mustered in the service of the United States for three months, May 20, 1861. Members of the 65th and 74th Militia, four companies of the latter, formed the nucleus of the regiment. At the request of the general government, the Governor of the State, August 2, 1861, ordered the regiment in the service of the United States for the unexpired portion of its term of State service.
The men were recruited principally in the county of Erie; a few coming from the counties of Allegany, Chautauqua, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego and Wyoming.
The regiment left the State June 18, 1861; served at Fort Kalorama, D. C, from June 19, 1861; at Fort Runyon, D. C, from August 4, 1861; in Wadsworth's Brigade, McDowell's Division, Army of the Potomac, from October 15, 1861; in Patrick's Brigade, King's Division, 1st Corps, Army of the Potomac, from March 13, 1862; in 2d Brigade, King's Division, Department of Rappahannock, from May, 1862; in 3d Brigade, 1st Division, 3d Corps, Army of Virginia, from June 26, 1862; in same brigade and division, 1st Corps, Army of the Potomac, from September 12, 1862; in Patrick's Provost Guard Brigade, Army of the Potomac, from January, 1863; at Aquia Creek, Va., from April, 1863; and it was honorably discharged and mustered out under Colonel Rogers, May 18, 1863, at Buffalo.
During its service the regiment lost by death, killed in action, 2 officers, 50 enlisted men; of wounds received in action, 23 enlisted men; of disease and other causes, 2 officers, 40 enlisted men; total, 4 officers, 113 enlisted men; aggregate, 117.
Ranks
Spoiler
Officers
Colonel (Col)
A colonel had the command and administrative duties for an infantry, cavalry, or
artillery regiment, made up of varying numbers of companies. The colonel was
expected to lead his regiment into battle personally to ensure that it performed to
its utmost ability. For this reason, colonels were often killed or wounded in action.
Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol)
A lieutenant colonel was the second in command of an infantry, cavalry, or
artillery regiment. He had to assist the colonel in all duties, and in battle, he
helped lead the regiment into the fight. If the colonel was killed or wounded,
the lieutenant colonel immediately took command of the regiment.
Major (Maj)
A major was third in command of an infantry, cavalry, or artillery regiment and
assisted the colonel in administrative and combat duties. In battle, an infantry
major led the regimental attack, positioning himself at the front with the color
guard. If the colonel and the lieutenant colonel were killed or wounded, the major
took command of the regiment.
Captain (Cpt)
A captain had command of a company of infantry or cavalry, or an artillery battery
of guns. In addition to his administrative duties, an infantry captain led his
company into battle by giving the proper commands for the movement and
fighting of his troops, in concert with the other companies in the regiment.
1st Lieutenant (Lt.)
Lieutenants were second in command of infantry and cavalry companies and
artillery batteries. Infantry lieutenants assisted the company captain in their
positions behind the line of battle by guiding the troops in their movements and
firing.
2nd Lietenant (2ndLt)
Lieutenants were second in command of infantry and cavalry companies and
artillery batteries. Infantry lieutenants assisted the company captain in their
positions behind the line of battle by guiding the troops in their movements and
firing.
Non commisioned officers
Sergeant major (SgtMaj)
A sergeant major was a regimental staff member responsible for keeping reports
for the regiment. In battle, he advanced on the left, behind the line of battle, to
help guide troop movement.
Sergeant (Sgt)
Sergeants served either in the regimental color guard or in the individual
companies of the regiment. There could be divisions, related to administrative
duties, within the rank—for example, first sergeant, ordnance sergeant, and
quartermaster sergeant.
Infantry sergeants advanced either in or behind the line of battle, depending on
individual responsibilities. They helped guide troop movements and kept the men
in their positions by example and force of command.
Corporal (Cpl)
Corporals served either in the regimental color guard or in the individual
companies of the regiment. During combat, infantry corporals who were not part
of the color guard were positioned in the line of battle. They helped to keep a
uniform line in the movement of the company. Privates looked to corporals to help
guide them during combat
Rankers
Private (Pvt)
Privates served as the backbone of the army and did most of the fighting in battle.
Privates moved together shoulder to shoulder in straight battle lines and acted on
the commands of their company officers. Privates rarely acted independently but
rather worked as a group with the single purpose of fighting as a sheer force of
numbers.
* * * * * *
In addition to the regular ranks, Civil War armies had several specialist ranks.
Each regiment had a contingent of staff officers, which included surgeons,
quartermasters, adjutants, and, on occasion, chaplains.
There were also special ranks for soldiers in specific parts of a regiment, such as
the field music (fife and drums), the regimental band (brass instruments and
drums), and the color guard. The color guard was an honorary group chosen to
carry the flag, or colors, of the regiment. It usually consisted of eight color
corporals and one color sergeant.