144th Infantry Regiment

Mustered in: September 27, 1862
Mustered out: June 25, 1865

The following is taken from New York in the War of the Rebellion, 3rd ed. Frederick Phisterer. Albany: J. B. Lyon Company, 1912. 
August 27, 1862, Col. Robert S. Hughston received authority to recruit this regiment in Delaware county; it was organized at Delhi, and there mustered in the service of the United States for three years September 27, 1862. In October, 1864, it received a large number of recruits, of whom the surplus, 159 men, were transferred to the 1st Engineers.
The companies were recruited principally: A at Tompkins; B at Walton and Masonville; C at Delhi, Stamford, Meredith, Hamden, Kortright and Harpersfield; D at Franklin, Masonville, Otego and Sidney; E at Andes and Bovina; F at Hancock; G at Middle-town; H at Roxbury, Stamford and Harpersfield; I at Sidney, Kortright, Davenport, Meredith and Delhi; K at Colchester, Franklin, Hamden, Middletown, Tompkins, Masonville, Delhi and Harpersfield.
The regiment left the State October 11, 1862; it served in the defenses of Washington from October 13, 1862; and in the 3d Brigade, Abercrombie's Division, 22d Corps, from February, 1863; in the 3d, Hughston's, Brigade, Gurney's Division, Department of Virginia, at Suffolk, Va., from April, 1863; in 1st Brigade, Gordon's Division, of 7th Corps, from May, 1863; of 4th Corps from June, 1863; in the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, nth Corps, from July, 1863; in the 2d Brigade, Gordon's Division, 10th Corps, on Folly Island, S. C., from August 15, 1863; in Schimmelpfenning's Division, 10th Corps, from January, 1864; in 1st Brigade, Ames' Division, 10th Corps, from February, 1864; in the District of Florida, Department of the South, from April, 1864; at Hilton Head, S. C., from June, 1864; in the 1st, Potter's, Brigade, Coast Division, Department of the Gulf, from November, 1864; in the 3d Separate Brigade, District of Hilton Head, Department of the South, from January, 1865; and, commanded by Col. James Lewis, it was honorably discharged and mustered out at Hilton Head, S. C., June 25, 1865.
During its service the regiment lost by death, killed in action, 1 officer, 20 enlisted men; of wounds received in action, 1 officer, 18 enlisted men; of disease and other causes, 4 officers, 174 enlisted men; total, 6 officers, 212 enlisted men; aggregate, 218; of whom 1 enlisted man died in the hands of the enemy.

The following is taken from The Union army: a history of military affairs in the loyal states, 1861-65 -- records of the regiments in the Union army -- cyclopedia of battles -- memoirs of commanders and soldiers. Madison, WI: Federal Pub. Co., 1908. volume II. 
One Hundred and Forty-fourth Infantry.—Cols., Robert S Hughston, David E. Gregory, William J. Slidell, James Lewis Lieut.-Cols., David Gregory, James Lewis, Calvin A. Rice; Majs. Robert T. Johnson, Calvin A. Rice, William Plaskett. This regi ment, recruited in Delaware county, was organized at Delhi, and there mustered into the U. S. service on Sept. 27, 1862. It left the state on Oct. 11, 956 strong, and was stationed in the defenses of Washington at Upton's hill, Cloud's mills and Vienna until April 1863. It was then assigned to the Department of Virginia, and in Gurney's division assisted in the defense of Suffolk, during Long-street's siege of that place. In May it was placed in Gordon's divi sion of the 7th corps at West Point, and snared in the demonstra-tion against Richmond. In July it joined the 2nd brigade, in (Schimmelfennig's) division, nth corps. This division was detached from its corps on Aug. 7, and ordered to Charleston harbor, when during the fall and winter of 1863 the regiment was engaged a Folly and Morris islands, participating with Gillmore's forces in the siege of Fort Wagner and the bombardment of Fort Sumpter and Charleston. In Feb., 1864, in the 1st brigade, Ames' division 10th corps, it was engaged at Seabrook and John's islands, S. C It was then ordered to Florida, where it was chiefly engaged in raiding expeditions and was active in the action at Camp Finnegan It returned to Hilton Head in June; was active at John's island in July, losing 13 killed, wounded and missing; in Potter's brigade the Coast division it participated in the cooperative movement: with Sherman, fighting at Honey Hill and Deveaux neck. Its casualties at Honey Hill were 108 and at Deveaux neck, 37 killed wounded and missing. Lieut. James W. Mack, the only commis-sioned officer killed in action, fell at Honey Hill. Attached to the 3d separate brigade, District of Hilton Head, it was severely en gaged at James island in Feb., 1865, losing 44 killed, wounded and missing. In the fall of 1864 the ranks of the regiment were re duced to between 300 and 400 men through battle and disease, and it was then recruited to normal standard by one year recruits from its home county. The regiment was mustered out at Hilton Head S. C., June 25, 1865, under command of Col. Lewis. It lost by death during service 40 officers and men, killed and mortally wounded ; 4 officers arid 174 enlisted men died of disease and other causes total, 218.

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144th Regiment NY Volunteer Infantry | General Guide Flags | Civil War

The New York State Battle Flag Collection includes two general guide flags carried by the 144th Regiment NY Volunteer Infantry. Both flags, in the US…

144thInfGuidon2005.0004withpiece.jpg

144th Regiment NY Volunteer Infantry | Guidons | Civil War

The NYS Battle Flag Collection includes two guidons carried by the 144th Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry. Each silk swallowtail guidon conforms…

Other Resources

This is meant to be a comprehensive list. If, however, you know of a resource that is not listed below, please send an email to ng.ny.nyarng.list.historians@army.mil with the name of the resource and where it is located. This can include photographs, letters, articles and other non-book materials. Also, if you have any materials in your possession that you would like to donate, the museum is always looking for items specific to New York's military heritage. Thank you.

144th New York Volunteer Infantry Flags.
2 page typed manuscript.

9th reunion and 50th anniversary of the 144th New York vols. veteran association, Walton, New York, September 27, 1912.
Listed in Dornbusch; however, it is not know if this resource exists.

Antebellum and Civil War collection: Government Documents, 1860-1935.
59 documents.
This series is largely comprised of military records, including special orders, muster rolls, general orders, financial documents, requisitions, circulars, and ordinance reports. The documents are organized chronologically. Other records include those issued by state governments after the war, including pardons. Many of the military records are special orders issued for the Georgia Militia or the Fulton County Militia in Atlanta. The orders include calls for arming and equipping all men eligible to serve in the militia, monthly regimental parades, elections of field officers, granting leave of absences, the impressment of Atlanta's City Hall as a hospital, details of civilians for duty, and service exemptions for newspaper employees, including Samuel P. Richards of The Soldiers Friend, and editors and publishers of The Baptist Banner. The series include muster rolls for the 1st, 4th, and 7th Georgia Regiments in 1861-1862, and for the 144th New York Volunteers. Among the records issued by state governments are pardons to ex-Confederate soldiers and officials, an invoice for "impressment of negroes" in Alabama to make salt, and a letter from General Robert E. Lee dismissing soldiers of the Army of Northern Virginia after the surrender at Appomattox.
Finding aid at: ftp.atlantahistorycenter.com/MSS/MSS%20600-699/MSS%20645.pdf
Located at the Atlanta History Center.

Bogart, Abram. and Bogart, Mary M. Letters, 1862-1865. 
A group of letters addressed to his wife Mary M. Bogart at home in Masonville, Delaware County, NY that contain comments about the conduct of the war which were a reflection the sentiments held by many of his fellow soldiers. In the letter of 28 May 1863, he states "... this is a war of shoulder straps and money to the officers and not to put down the rebellion...," and in a letter postmarked January 1864 he exclaims, "...I should never have been here for it is nothing but a political war..." In both these and other letters he elaborates on his distain toward officers and the hypocracy of political leaders. He also expresses in no uncertain terms his disgust of squalid conditions in camp and the monotonous routine of drill, long marches, and picket guard duty. In essence, the anecedotal information in these letters is good and written very articulately. 
7 items. 
Located at the New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections.

Bradley, Wilbur. Wilbur Bradley papers, 1862-1865
Letters, 1862-1865, of Wilbur Bradley contain information about Union army camp life at Folly Island and Hilton Head, S.C. After Col. Robert Shaw's assault on Ft. Wagner failed in 1863, Bradley's infantry regiment, the 144th New York Volunteers, was shipped from Virginia to reinforce the Union troops besieging Charleston. Nine letters in the collection were written from Virginia; thirteen describe duty in South Carolina. Bradley's letters suggest that he enjoyed his new surroundings with its mild winter weather. In contrast to many eyewitnesses, Bradley was optimistic. He marveled at his first South Carolina winter and his unit had relocated to Hilton Head Island by the next. In the 1864 presidential election, New York allowed its troops to cast absentee ballots. "I think Old Abe will be elected, Bradley commented, "hip hip Hurah for the Old Rail Spliter he is the [man] for us." During that time, the captain of Co. D ordered Bradley and two other soldiers to, as they interpreted it, fraternize with black troops. After they all refused to obey it, the captain had them arrested and court-martialed. Later back on his feet, Bradley managed to open a shop. He served until the end of the war and mustered out on 25 June 1865. In 1903, he was still alive and was residing in Oneonta, N.Y. 
22 items. 
Located at the University of South Carolina.

Cook, Bishop Asbury et al. Letters home :Civil War letters. Bowie, MD : Heritage Books, 2000. vi, 367 p. ; 21 cm.

Dysart, Robert. Civil War Miscellaneous Collection. 
(Enlisted man's diary, Jan 1-Oct 12, 1863).
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Hanford family. Hanford Civil War letters, 1862-1865.
38 letters
The collection consists of 38 letters written between 1862 and 1865 most to Levi and Elizabeth Hanford of Hobart, Delaware County, N.Y. by four of their nephews: James Oscar Hanford, Horace S. Hanford, Chauncey D. Hanford and Crandal B. Hanford. These men served in the 144th New York Volunteer Infantry, a Delaware County Regiment during the Civil War. The Regiment, which was organized into 10 companies, drilled at Camp Delaware located near Delhi, New York. It was sworn into Federal service on September 27, 1862 and mustered out at Elmira in July of 1865. There are also a few letters written to their son Charles or by Nancie Hanford, Chauncey Hanford's wife, and Raymond S. Champlin who appears to be a family friend. The collection also includes two copies of The New South, a newspaper published out of Port Royal, South Carolina (dated April 9 and July 23, 1864) and a copy of The Palmetto herald, another newspaper published out of Port Royal, South Carolina (dated April 7, 1864).
Finding aid online at: to external web site http://www.bates.edu/muskie-archives/EADFindingAids/MC049.html
Located at the Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library, Bates College.

Harris, Robert F., 1944. Dear sister : the Civil War letters of the Brothers Gould. Westport, Conn. Praeger, 1998.

Jackson, M.L.S. Civil War Miscellaneous Collection.
(Enlisted man's diary, Aug 12, 1862-Apr 27, 1865).
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Kinyon, J. Wilson. A comrade's tribute. Bangor, Me.: Chas. H. Glass & Co., job printers, 1892. 8 p. ; 11 x 16 cm. 
Located at Brown University.

McCombs, John. John McCombs papers, 3 Oct 1864- Jun 1865.
General description of the collection: The John McCombs papers contain a letter to his sister, a pass to the grounds around the Headquarter (HQ) at Hilton Head and a furlough pass to return to New York state. The day pass is dated 3 October 1864 and signed by Thomas Robinson. The correspondence talks about the weather and that McCombs is in good health. He urges his sister to never marry a soldier until after the war and that she should tell every one to avoid the draft. The letter is dated 28 March 1865. The furlough pass is good for the period of 18th through 30th of June 1865. 
1 folder. 
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

McKee, James Harvey. Back "in war times," history of the 144th regiment, New York volunteer infantry, with itinerary, showing contemporaneous dates of the important battles of the Civil war, by James Harvey McKee. [Unadilla] Lieut. Horace E. Bailey, publisher [Times office] c1903. On cover: Civil war record of the 144th regt., N.Y. volunteer infantry.

McKee, James Harvey. History of the 144th regiment, New York volunteer infantry with itinerary, showing contemporaneous date of the important battles of the Civil War. Unadilla, N.Y. : Times Office, 1903. 378 p. ports., maps.

McKee, James Harvey. Letters, 1862-1865.
1 box (0.25 cubic ft.)
Group of letters McKee sent to his family regarding his experiences of serving in the army during the Civil War. These letters provide detailed accounts of the 144th Regiment's participation in battles and skirmishes that took place primarily in the vicinity of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Located at the New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections.

Regimental Papers. Civil War Miscellaneous Collection. 
(Letter from unidentified enlisted man, Nov 28, 1862).
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

The Marvin Family collection,1853-1920, (bulk 1853-1880)
Archival history of some 220 letters, most with original envelopes lacking stamps. All but a very few letters are addressed to Thomas Marvin. Thomas Marvin has several sons and daughters. The most important of this correspondence are a series of 48 letters to him from his two sons, J.T. Marvin and Matthew W. Marvin of the 144th N.Y. Infantry. Although unable to determine the unit of J.T. Marvin, his wartime correspondence is a valuable record to Civil War history. Both brothers fought in the North Carolina campaigns, and one, Matthew, fought in Georgia and Florida. These letters contain campaign and battle history and general soldier camp news; manuscript concerning AWOL of a captain of the 7th U.S.C.T. from Jacksonville, Florida (1864); letter requesting court of inquiry as to the guilt of the AWOL, indorsed by several officers; special order no. 12 granting leave of absence to attend personal business. Letters are mostly from Kansas, Indiana, and Wisconsin, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. 
1 box.
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Swart, John. John Swart Letter, 1864 : 144th New York Volunteer Infantry
Obtained from http://www.soldierstudies.org/
.

Teed, Hiram. Hiram Teed papers,1863-1865
Civil War letters, chiefly written from coastal South Carolina and addressed to Teed's wife, Libby, at Trout Creek, Delaware County, N.Y. Letters written from South Carolina originated from Morris Island and Folly Island, and Hilton Head, Port Royal, and from various locations in the field while Tweed accompanied the regiment on military expeditions. Letters of interest include: 26 Apr. 1863, written from Suffolk, Va., comments on the difficulties of being separated from his wife; 24 Oct. 1863, discussing the bombardment of Charleston, Northern politics, and "copperheadism"; 25 Apr. 1865, stating that Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston had not yet surrendered and claiming that retreating Confederates were "killing the poor darkies"; and 17 June 1865, reporting that his regiment expected to leave Hilton Head the following day. 
54 items.
Located at the University of South Carolina.

Ward, Gerrit S.  Family papers,1820-1965
Family papers, 1820, 1860-1965, and undated, are mostly composed of the papers of Charles O. and Gerrit S. Ward. The papers of Charles O. Ward include: military certificates, 1898-1899; correspondence, 1898-1960; and deeds and legal papers related to land in and around Alma (Mich.), 1887-1961 (scattered). The papers of Gerrit S. Ward include: military and pension certificates, 1862-1928; correspondence re: family matters, the Civil War, banking, mines in Tenn., and timberlands in Ark., 1860-1916; deeds and related materials for land in Alma and Montcalm County (Mich.), 1883-1911; Gerrit's estate records, 1916-1917, copy 1940; an annual report of the First State Bank of Alma, 1916; legal papers re: land, mines, and miscellaneous, 1886-1910; and papers of both men re: Roanoke Rapids Papers Mfg. Co., 1907-1912. Genealogical materials for the Ward and Ely families; papers of Joseph Ely Ward, 1916-1917, 1940; a military appointment certificate of Sardis Ward, 1820, and family photographs (6 folders) are also included. Two oversized scrapbooks of newspaper clippings complete the collection. V. 1, 1885,1961 and V. 2, 1885,1941. V. 1 documents the Spanish-American War, 1898, Charles O. Ward, and telegrams sent between relatives when he was hospitalized with typhoid. V. 2 documents the Ely and Ward families; the Charles O. Ward family; and includes two memorial booklets for William Sisson Turck (1839-1912); and miscellaneous. 
2.5 cubic ft. (in 4 boxes). 
Located at the Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University.

Warren, George W. Letters (1862-1865).
1 box.
Collection Call Number: SC18822.
Group of letters sent to Warren's brothers regarding his experiences and activities of military service, such as camp life, drill, and picket duty. Also includes letters to his brother, John, who served in Company I of the same regiment.
Located at the New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections.

Wells, Wilson J. Letters. 1862-1864
Letters to home discussing camp life and battle of the 144th N.Y.V. 
Transcribed and donated by Jackie Gallagher.

White, Daniel B., 1837-1905. Dear wife : the Civil War letters of a private soldier. Louisville, KY: Sulgrave Press, 1991.

 

Items in the museum collection are in bold.