111th New York Volunteers

My great-uncle from Marion, NY. He fought with the regiment from it's muster-in through Appomattox. At Gettysburg, he lost his best friend, Judson Hicks who was killed in action on July 2, 1863, carrying the 111th's colors during their assault on Gen. William Barksdale's brigade along Plum Run Creek. He contracted malaria right after Gettysburg, which severely weakened his heart, but returned to his regiment after a stay in a Washington hospital. Thomas' comrades said after his return, he would often have to ride in a wagon during their long marches, but would then take his place in the ranks during the fighting. Thomas was made a sharpshooter by his Captain, Aaron P. Seeley, of Palmyra. He survived the war and eventually was appointed Postmaster of Marion, NY, by President McKinley.

Also from Marion, he was Thomas' best friend and a cousin. At a little after 7 PM, July 2, 1863, Judd was killed carrying the colors of the 111th during their charge on Barksdale's brigade. Jud was struck twice and was dead before he hit the ground. Thomas ran to his side and finding his friend dead, retrieved Jud's Bible and a set of keys and pressed on. The brigade threw Barksdale's Alabamians back across the Emmittsburg Road, saving the Union center. Barksdale was killed. Here, he is a Private, still wearing the poor-quality State uniform. Two years ago, I was privileged to hold that Bible which now resides in the safekeeping of Thomas' great-grandson, David Crane.

Co.	Last Captain	Where formed
A	Wager H. Remington	Marion, Ontario, Palmyra, Walworth
B	Philip I. Lape	Clyde, Savannah
C	David A. Taylor	Auburn, Montezuma, Palmyra, Rose Valley, Sterling, Summer Hill, Victory
D	Edwin K. Burnham	Galen, Lyons, Sodus, Williamson
E	John A. Laing	Arcadia, Marion, Palmyra, Sodus, Williamson
F	Daniel G. Sterling	Auburn, Port Byron, Weedport
G	Marcus W. Murdock	Auburn, Genoa
H	Reuben J. Myers	Auburn, Cato, Conquest, Ira, Sterling
I	Sidney Mead	Locke, Ledyard, Moravia, Niles, Scipio, Sempronius, Venice
K	Edgar J. Hueston	Aurora, Genoa, Ledyard, Moravia, Scipio, Springport, Union Springs

Place	Date	KIA	WIA	MIA	Total
Harper's Ferry	9/12-15/1862	5	6	970*	981
Gettysburg	7/1-3/1863	62	177	10	249@
Bristoe Station, VA	10/14/1863	2	22	2	26
Mine Run, VA	11/26-12/2/1863			30	30+
Morton's Ford, VA	2/6/1864		1	2	3
Wilderness, VA	5/5-7/1864	48	119	11	178
Spottsylvania Cmpg,VA	5/8-21/1864	12	37	13	62
North Anna-Totopotomoy, VA	5/22-31/1864	4	9	7	20
Cold Harbor, VA	6/1-12/1864		7		7
Assault of Petersburg - Weldon Railroad, VA	6/15-19/1864	16	45	16	77
Ream's Station, VA	8/25/64		3	27	30
Appomattox Campaign	3/28-4/9/1865	9	72		81
Total Loss		158	557#	1088	1803

* = MIA's were surrendered by the Harper's Ferry Commander Brigadier General Dixon Miles
@ = 111th suffered second highest percentage of casualties of any Union regiment at Gettysburg
+ = MIA's were left on picket when Army retreated back across the Rapidan River & consequently captured.
# = Of this number, 490 recoved from their wounds to some extent.
Source: New York in the War of the Rebellion, Frederick Phisterer, Vol. IV, 1909 edition

111th New York Monument Dedication, the Bryan Farm, Gettysburg
(Photo courtesy David Crane)


Pvt Edwin Cox, Co. B Enlisted 8/7/1862, Clyde, NY. KIA 5/6/1864 at the Wilderness, VA	Pvt. Martin Kilmer, Co. E Enlisted 24 Feb 1864 at Savannah, NY. WIA 5/5/64, at the Wilderness, VA Transferred while absent, wounded, to Co. B, Fourth Artillery, 4 Jun 1865.	Pvt Charles Allen Hurd, Co. G Enlisted 8/5/1862, Genoa, NY. WIA 5/6/1864, at the Wilderness, VA Discharged for disability 1/23/1865 Courtesy Al Gummerson

Be sure to check out Ken Veneron's great 111th NY page! It contains complete rosters, itinerary, casualties and more... click on his link below:

Letters, diaries and photos of the men and am most happy to reimburse all copying and mailing expenses.
For lookups and more information, e-mail me by clicking here George.