Mar 10, 2020 - Sale 2533

Sale 2533 - Lot 90

Price Realized: $ 531
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 800 - $ 1,200
(CIVIL WAR--NEW YORK.) Manuscript histories of two companies of the 1st New York Infantry. Documents Signed by company commanders Robert B. Montgomery and John S. Brush. [4, 6] manuscript pages plus docketing on final blank on 6 detached leaves; occasional short separations at folds, moderate edge wear and soiling to Company F history with slight loss of text. Camp near Potomac Creek, VA, 4-6 April 1863

Additional Details

The 1st New York Infantry Regiment was mustered for two years of service in April 1861. After serving at Big Bethel, Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville, they were duly mustered out in May 1863. At that time, the commanding officers of two of the companies took the time to write short histories of their activities. 1st Lieutenant Robert B. Montgomery wrote "Detail History of Company B, 1st New York Inft'y Volunteers." At Glendale on 30 June 1862, the "company behaved with great gallantry, and much praise is due to the sergeants George F. Irish & David Van Winkle for their intrepid & daring valor." At Second Bull Run, the company "was engaged with enemy six different times on that day." A list of losses (including 11 killed at Glendale and Chantilly, and 2 died of wounds) is appended.
The second history, by 2nd Lieutenant John S. Brush of Company F, follows a similar format. At Glendale, "Captain John H. Carter was dangerously wounded while gallantly rallying his men to the contest" and was taken prisoner, while Sergeant Joseph E. Fallon "seeing the colors falling into the hands of the rebels rushed forward under a heavy fire from the enemy and secured two of them." A list of the company's losses is appended.