143rd New York
Volunteer
Infantry

History and Campaigns

August 14, 1862, Mr. John C. Holley received authority to recruit this regiment in Sullivan county; it was organized at Monticello, with David P. DeWitt as Colonel, and there mustered in the service of the United States for three years October 8, 1862.
The companies were recruited principally: A at Monticello, Fremont, Bethel, Rockland, Forestburg, Liberty and Beaver Kill; B at Bethel, Thompson, Fallsburg, Forestburg and Stormville; C at Fallsburg, Rockland, Grahamville and Neversink; D at Ithaca and Lansing; E at Wurtsborough, Bridgeville, Monticello and Phillipsport; F at Fremont, Callicoon, Jeffersonville, Rockland and Monticello; G at Fremont, Bloomingburg, Neversink, Monticello, Thompson, Cochecton and Tusten; H at Liberty, Monticello and Rockland; I at Dryden and Cochecton; K at Cochecton, Monticello, Tusten, Callicoon, Highland and Thompson.
The regiment left the State October 14, 1862; it served in the defenses of Washington in the 3rd Brigade, Abercrombie's Division, from October 16, 1862; in 3d, Hughston's, Brigade, Gurney's Division, Department of Virginia, at Suffolk, Va., from April, 1863; in the 1st Brigade, Gordon's Division, of 7th Corps, from May, 1863; of 4th Corps, from June, 1863; in the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 11th Corps, from July 14, 1863; in the 3d Brigade, 1st Division, 20th Corps, from April, 1864; in the 2d Brigade, Bartlett's Division, 22d Corps, from June 30, 1865; and, under Col. Horace Boughton, it was honorably discharged and mustered out July 20, 1865, at and near Washington, D.C.
During its service the regiment lost by death, killed in action, 3 officers, 13 enlisted men; of wounds received in action, 2 officers, 25 enlisted men; of disease and other causes, 1 officer, 177 enlisted men; total, 6 officers, 215 enlisted men; aggregate, 221; of whom 3 enlisted men died in the hands of the enemy; the large loss by accident (9), was principally caused by a railrod accident March 20, 1863; and it took part in the following engagements, etc.:

• Siege of Suffolk, Va., April 15 - May 4, 1863,--no losses during this campaign, which included Providence Church Road.
  • Providence Church Road, May 3, 1863,--no losses. See line above.
• Bottom's Bridge, Va., June 22, 1863,--no losses.
• Wauhatchie, Tenn., October 28-29, 1863,--1 enlisted man killed; 5 enlisted men wounded but recovered.
• Chattanooga & Rossville Campaign, Tenn., November 23-27, 1863,--1 enlisted man killed during this campaign, particular engagement not specified.
  • Missionary Ridge, November 25, 1863,--1 officer killed.
• Atlanta Campaign, Ga., May 3 - September 2, 1864
  • Resaca, May 14-15, 1864,--1 enlisted man killed; 2 enlisted men mortally wounded; 10 enlisted men wounded but recovered.
  • Dallas, May 25 - June 4, 1864,--1 enlisted man killed; 2 enlisted men mortally wounded; 1 officer and 12 enlisted men wounded but recovered; 2 enlisted men missing.
  • Ackworth, June 4, 1864,--2 enlisted men wounded but recovered.
  • Kennesaw Mountain, June 9 - July 2, 1864,--The losses during this campaign for Golgatha, Nose's Creek, and Culp's Farm grouped together were: 10 enlisted men mortally wounded; 2 officers and 62 enlisted men wounded but recovered; 2 enlisted men missing, individual battle not specified.
    • Golgotha, June 16-17, 1864,--See above, Kennesaw Mountain.
    • Nose's Creek, June 19-20, 1864,--See above, Kennesaw Mountain.
    • Culp's Farm, June 22, 1864,--See above, Kennesaw Mountain.
    • Peach Tree Creek, July 20, 1864,--1 officer and 6 enlisted men killed; 1 officer and 8 enlisted men mortally wounded.
    • Atlanta, July 21 - August 6, 1864,--1 enlisted man killed; 1 enlisted man mortally wounded; 4 enlisted men wounded but recovered.
• Gen. Sherman's Savannah Campaign, Ga., November 15 - December 21, 1864,--no losses during this campaign, which included March to the Sea and Savannah.
  • March to the Sea, November 15 - December 10, 1864,--no losses. See Gen. Sherman's Savannah Campaign, above.
  • Savannah, December 10-21, 1864,--no losses. See Gen. Sherman's Savannah Campaign, above.
• Campaign of the Carolinas, January 26 - April 26, 1865,--1 officer and 1 enlisted man missing.
  • Robertsville, S.C., January 29, 1865,--no losses.
  • Lawtonville, S.C., February 2, 1865,--no losses.
  • Averasboro, N.C., March 16, 1865,--1 enlisted man killed; 1 officer and 1 enlisted man mortally wounded; 2 officers and 2 enlisted men wounded but recovered.
  • Bentonville, N.C,. March 19-20, 1865,--1 enlisted man killed; 1 enlisted man mortally wounded; 2 enlisted men wounded but recovered.
  • Near Goldsboro, N.C., March 27, 1865,--no losses.
  • Aiken's Creek, N.C., April 10, 1865,--no losses.
  • Bennett House, N.C., April 26, 1865,--no losses.
• On detached service, March 6, 1865,--1 officer killed.

Total loss: 3 enlisted men and 13 officers killed; 2 officers and 25 enlisted men mortally wounded; 6 officers and 130 enlisted men wounded but recovered; 1 officer and 5 enlisted men missing.
Aggregate: 185

Source: The above paragraphs on history and campaigns were copied from pages 3656-3657 of New York in the War of the Rebellion. Third Edition. Volume V. Compiled by Frederick Phisterer. J.B. Lyon Company, State Printers, 1912. (The list of battles and of casualties, which appeared as a table in the original, has been paraphrased in its presentation here.)

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Officers of the Regiment

Co1one1.

DAVID P. DEWITT, from October 8, 1862 to April 29, 1863.
HORACE BOUGHTON, from April 30, 1863, to July 20, 1865.

Lieutenant-Colonels.

HORACE BOUGHTON, from October 20, 1862, to April 30, 1865.
JOSEPH B. TAFT, from November 18 to 25, 1863.
HEZEKIAH WATKINS, from January 9, 1864, to July 20, 1865.

Majors.

JOSEPH B. TAFT, from October 14, 1862, to November 18, 1863.
HEZEKIAH WATKINS, from January 1 to 9, 1864.
JOHN HIGGINS, from January 9, 1864, to May 16, 1865.

Adjutants.

HEZEKIAH WATKINS, from August 22 to October 8, 1862.
EDGAR K. APGAR, from October 8, 1862, to February 10, 1863
WILLIAM M. RATCLIFF, from March 1, 1863, to Jult 20, 1864
RENSSELAER HAMMOND, from September 1, 1864, to July 20, 1865.

Quartermasters.

WALLACE W. WHEELER, from August 21, 1862, to April 20, 1864.
EDWIN C. HOWARD, from March 26, 1864, to August 10, 1865.

Surgeons.

HENRY M. EDSALL, from August 23, 1862, to February 28, 1863.
ORRIN A. CARROLL, from May 10 to October 8, 1863.
DAVID MATHEWS, from October 8, 1863, to July 20, 1865.

Assistant Surgeons.

DAVID MATHEWS, from September 24, 1862, to October 8, 1863.
HERMAN CRAFT, from October 6, 1862, to April 11, 1864.
WILLIAM H. STUART, from June 1, 1864, to July 20, 1865.

Chaplains.

JEREMIAH SEARLE, from December 12, 1862, to March 2, 1863.
ISAAC GIBBARD, from May 1 to August 20, 1863.

Of Company A.

Captains:
HEZEKIAH WATKINS, from October 8,1862, to January 1, 1864.
WILLIAM T. GEORGE, from November 25, 1863, to July 20, 1865.

First Lieutenants:
WILLIAM M. RATCLIFF, from October 8, 1862 to March 1, 1863.
GEORGE YOUNG, from March 5, 1863, to October 24, 1864.
JOSEPH PIERCE, from November 11, 1864, to July 20, 1865.

Second Lieutenants:
GEORGE YOUNG, from August 26, 1862, to March 5, 1863.
DEWITT C. APGAR, from April 17, 1863, to February 14, 1864.
DAVID A. WASIN, from May 6 to July 20, 1865.

Of Company B.

Captain:
ALFRED J. BALDWIN, from August 30, 1862, to May 6, 1864.

First Lieutenants:
EDWIN C. HOWARD, from October 8, 1862, to March 26, 1864.
ISAAC JELLIFF, from March 26, 1864, to July 20, 1865.

Second Lieutenants:
CALVIN R. BENEDICT, October 8, 1862.
EDWARD CARRINGTON, from October 27, 1862, to March 6, 1865.

Of Company C.

Captains:
JAMES C. FRENCH, from October 8, 1862, to March 6, 1863.
WILLIAM R. BENNETT, from March 6, 1863, to July 20, 1865.

First Lieutenants:
NATHANIEL C. CLARK, from September 1, 1862, to February 8, 1864.
JOHN R. GROO, from March 26, 1864, to March 20, 1865.
HENRY H. HEMINGWAY, from April 15 to July 20, 1865.

Second Lieutenants:
DWIGHT DIVINE, from September 1, 1862, to April 17, 1863.
ISAAC JELLIFF, from April 17, 1863, to March 26, 1864.

Of Company D.

Captains:
JOHN HIGGINS, from October 8, 1862, to January 9, 1864.
LEWIS N. STANTON, from May 1, 1864, to July 20, 1865.

First Lieutenants:
EDGAR K. APGAR, October 8, 1862.
CALEB HOWELL NORTH, from October 8, 1862, to April 12, 1863.
WILLIAM S. MOFFATT, from January 1 to February 13, 1864.
DEWITT C. APGAR, from February 14, 1864, to April 1, 1865.
ALBERT B. GORDON, from April 26 to July 20, 1865.

Second Lieutenant:
JOHN R. GROO, from October 8, 1862, to March 26, 1864.

Of Company E.

Captains:
IRA DORRANCE, from September 6, 1862, to March 30, 1863.
JOHN F. ANDERSON, from March 30, 1863, to February 1, 1865.
DEWITT C. APGAR, from April 1 to July 20, 1865.

First Lieutenants:
WILLIAM R. BENNETT, from September 6, 1862, to March 6, 1863.
PETER L. WATERBURY, from November 2, 1863, to July 24, 1864.
CHARLES A. SMITH, from August 29, 1864, to July 20, 1865.

Second Lieutenant:
PETER L. WATERBURY, from October 8, 1862, to November 2, 1863.

Of Company F.

Captain:
EDWARD H. PINNEY, from October 8, 1862, to July 20, 1865.

First Lieutenants:
JOHN F. ANDERSON, from April 17, 1863, to Jult 20, 1865.
DWIGHT DIVINE, from April 17, 1863, to July 20, 1865.

Second Lieutenants:
MARCUS J. FRASER, JR., from October 8 to November 20, 1862.
FRANK BICKLEY, from November 21, 1862, to March 26, 1863.
PETER E. PALEN, from March 27, 1863, to May 1, 1864.

Of Company G.

Captains:
BENJAMIN REYNOLDS, from September 8, 1862, to May 5, 1865.
JIRAH I. YOUNG, from May 6 to July 20, 1865.

First Lieutenants:
THERON B. LUCKEY, from September 8, 1862, to May 24, 1863.
WILLIAM S. MOFFAT, from May 24, 1863, to January 1, 1864.
RENSSELAER HAMMOND, from May 1 to September 1, 1864.
RICHARD M. J. HARDENBURGH, from August 29, 1864, to March 16, 1865.
WILLIAM T. MORGAN, from April 26 to July 20, 1865.

Second Lieutenant:
ALEXANDER C. KELLAM, from September 8, 1862, to March 17, 1863.

Of Company H.

Captain:
GEORGE H. DECKER, from September 12, 1862, to July 20, 1865.

First Lieutenants:
JIRAH A. YOUNG, from September 12, 1862, to May 6, 1865.
GEORGE C. PINNEY, from June 19 to July 20, 1865.

Second Lieutenants:
RENSSELAER HAMMOND, from October 8, 1862, to May 1, 1864.
ALEXANDER H. BROWN, from May 1, 1864, to May 15, 1865.

Of Company I.

Captain:
HARRISON MARVIN, from October 8, 1862, to July 20, 1865.

First Lieutenants:
WILLIAM T. GEORGE, from September 13, 1862, to November 25, 1863.
WALLACE HILL, from May 1, 1864, to July 20, 1865.

Second Lieutenants:
WILLIAM S. MOFFATT, from October 8, 1862, to May 24, 1863.
ALEXANDER H. BROWN, from May 24, 1863, to May 1, 1864.
GEORGE C. PINNEY, from May 1, 1864, to June 19, 1865.

Of Company K.

Captains:
ANTHONY H. BUSH, from October 9, 1862, to March 31, 1863.
CALEB HOWELL NORTH, from April 12, 1863, to July 15, 1864.

First Lieutenants:
LEWIS N. STANTON, from October 9, 1862, to May 1, 1864.
PETER E. PALEN, from May 1, 1864, to July 20, 1865.

Second Lieutenant:
WILLIAM T. EMBLER, from October 9, 1862, to July 20, 1865.

Officers who were Commissioned or Appointed, but did not Serve in the Grades Named.

HOLLEY, JOHN C., as Colonel.
HOLLEY, JOHN C., as Lieutenant-Colonel.
KIRKE, H. M., as Lieutenant-Colonel.
PINNEY, EDWARD H., as Major.
HILL, WALLACE, as Adjutant.
SEYMOUR, IRA B., as Major.
MOWRIS, JAMES A., as Assistant Surgeon.
SEYMOUR, ERASTUS, as Chaplain.
BRUEN, EDWIN, as Captain.
DIVINE, DWIGHT, as Captain.
HAMMOND, RENSSELAER, as Captain.
YOUNG, GEORGE, as Captain.
APGAR, EDGAR K., as First Lieutenant.
EICHENBURGH, JAMES A., as First Lieutenant.
WASIM, DAVID A., as First Lieutenant.
BEDFORD, DANIEL A., as Second Lieutenant.
BENNETT, FOSTER F., as Second Lieutenant.
BENNETT, WILLIAM A., as Second Lieutenant.
EICHENBURG, JAMES A., as Second Lieutenant.
ELMORE, BRUCE, as Second Lieutenant.
FOSTER, JOHN A., as Second Lieutenant.
HILDEBRANT, ELIHU, as Second Lieutenant.
HILL, WALLACE, as Second Lieutenant.
LORD, SAMUEL, as Second Lieutenant.
SMITH, WILLIAM, as Second Lieutenant.
WARD, HENRY, as Second Lieutenant.

Medal of Honor Awarded by the President to

COLLINS, THOMAS D., Sergeant, Company H, for capturing a regimental flag of the enemy at the battle of Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864.

Source: The above list of officers, list of Congressional Medal of Honor winners, etc., were copied from pages 3657-3660 of New York in the War of the Rebellion. Third Edition. Volume V. Compiled by Frederick Phisterer. J.B. Lyon Company, State Printers, 1912.

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Regimental Roster

Source: Annual Report of the Adjutant-General for the State of New York for the Year 1904. No. 38. Albany, NY: Brandow, 1905, pages 557-687.

Index to soldiers with surnames having initial letter:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

N.B. These rosters were digitized through the use of an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) program. As a result they are subject to the errors inherent in such a program. This includes, most notably, the failure to discriminate between similar symbols. I have made an effort to sort out the commas and the periods, but there are more subtle errors that can be determined only by a line-by-line comparison with the original. That type of checking I have not done. In most places where I suspect something may be wrong, I have placed "[?]." If you have encountered information that has been questioned and that is critical to your research, my suggestion (ALWAYS good advice) is to go back to the original. Although it is not particularly convenient for me, I can do lookups for anyone who does not have access to the AGO reports. Please do not make frivolous requests.

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Additional Information

In Print:

• Crary, Jerry. Jerry Crary, 1842-1936: Teacher, Soldier, Industrialist. Warren, Pennsylvania: Newell Press, 1960. 142 pages.
• Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion. Volume 2. Dayton, Ohio: Morningside Press, 1979. Page 1459 contains a concise summary of the regiment's service.
• McAfee, Michael J. "143rd Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, 1862." Military Images Magazine 11 (Jan/Feb 1990): page 25. On uniform adopted in 1862.
• New York (State). AGO. Annual Report of the Office of trhe Adjutant-General for the Year 1904. No. 38. Albany, NY: Brandow, 1905. pages 557-687. These pages contain an alphabetical roster of the regiment and are the source of the roster that appears in this web page.
• Phisterer, Frederick, compiler. New York in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865. Third edition, Volume 5. Albany, New York: J. B. Lyon Company, State Printer, 1912. Pages 3656-3667 contain a brief history of the regiment and a roster of officers. With the exception of the individual records of the officers, all the material from this source is included in this web page.
• Sullivan County Civil War Centennial Commission of the Sullivan County, N.Y. Historical Society, Bert S. Feldman, Editor. Brass Buttons and Leather Boots: Sullivan County and the Civil War. South Fallsburg, N.Y.; Printed by Steingart Associates, Inc.; 1963. This limited edition book (2000 copies) is dedicated to the 143rd and contains a chronology of the regiment's service. I have found several errors, especially concerning the regiments to which men are claimed to have belonged. I was particularly disturbed by a photo purporting to show twelve men of the 143rd in 1864. At least nine of them are not listed in the AGO roster, and the two who seem to be listed there were both dead before 1864. In another place, Levi Van Keuren is listed as the next-to-last surviving veteran of Sullivan County. The text says that he had volunteered for the 143rd, but I cannot find him in the AGO register. Caution! – On June 1, 2001, I received an email from Blyden Potts regarding Levi Van Keuren's correct regiment. His message said, "The Mr. Levi Van Keuren to whom you refer in the webpage at http://skaneateles.org/143_inf/143_inf.html is listed in two different newspaper accounts of him as having served in Co. D, 56th NY Infantry. The accounts are on the occasions of his 83rd birthday and his death." Thank you, Mr. Potts. It is clear that material from Brass Buttons . . . has to be treated with skepticism.
• Young, Charles (Chuck). The Soldier's Wealth is Honor, published 2001(?). This is a short work that concerns the war career of Thomas D. Collins, the only Congressional Medal of Honor recipient of the 143rd NYVI. Ordering information

Online:

• USAMHI holdings Go to this site. Select "143inf.doc" and download an MSWord file of their holdings on the 143rd.
• Officers of the Regiment. To see a GIF image of the pages for the 143rd from the 1868 N.Y.S. Adjutant General's Report, Register of Officers Commissioned in Volunteer Regiments from the State of New York, 1861-1865, go to this site and select the link to the 143rd where it appears in the menu in the left frame.
• A concise summary of the regiment's service from Frederick H. Dyer's A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion.
• A letter from James M. Deuel to his parents, Morgan Deuel and Lydia Robison.
• A letter from Edward P. Smith to his wife Eliza.
• Two letters from Harry Ward to his sister-in-law.
• Enlistment papers of Gabriel R. Ballard.
• Diaries of Gabriel R. Ballard.
• The site of the 143rd NYVI reenactors

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