NEW YORK ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-THIRD INFANTRY (Three Years)

One Hundred and Twenty-third Infantry.-Cols., Archibald L. McDougall, Ambrose Stevens, James C. Rogers; Lieut.-Cols., Franklin Norton, James C. Rogers, Adolph H. Tanner; Majs., James C. Rogers, A. H. Tanner, Henry Gray. This regiment, recruited in the county of Washington, rendezvoused at Salem and was there mustered into the U. S. service on Sept. 4, 1862, for three years. In Dec., 1863 a portion of the 145th N. Y. was transferred to it. The regiment left the state on Sept. 5, 1862, and was assigned to Williams' (1st) division, 12th corps, with which it served throughout its term. It fought its first battle at Chancellorsville, where the 12th corps was heavily engaged, the regiment losing 148 killed, wounded and missing, Lieut.-Col. Norton being among the mortally wounded. The 123d was only slightly engaged at Gettysburg, where it lost 14. It joined in the pursuit of Lee into Virginia fought without loss at Fair Play and Williamsport, Md., and at Robertson's ford, Va. On Sept. 23, 1863, it was ordered with its corps to Tennessee to reinforce Gen. Rosecrans and performed guard and picket duty for several months along the railroad between Murfreesboro and Bridgeport. When the 12th corps was changed to the 20th in April, 1864, Williams' division was allowed to retain its distinctive badge, the red star. It started on the Atlanta campaign with Sherman's army early in May and was active during the battles of Resaca, Cassville and Dallas, where it lost 23 killed and wounded, among the mortally wounded being Col. McDougall. Its losses at Kennesaw mountain aggregated 63 killed, wounded and missing, and at Peachtree creek, 53. From July 21 to Aug. 26, it was engaged in the siege of Atlanta, and on Nov. 15, it moved with Sherman's army on the march to the sea, taking part in the final campaign of the Carolinas the following year. During this campaign it was engaged at Chesterfield, Averasboro, Bentonville, Aiken, Smithfield, Raleigh and Bennett's house, with a total loss of 21 killed, wounded and missing. After Gen. Johnston's surrender it marched to Washington with the army, participated in the grand review, and was finally mustered out, under command of Col. Rogers, June 8, 1865, when the members of the regiment not entitled to be mustered out were transferred to the 145th N. Y. The 123d lost during its term of service 6 officers and 68 enlisted men, killed and fatally wounded; 95 enlisted men died of disease and other causes, total deaths, 169. Source: The Union Army, Vol. 2, p. 139 NEW YORK ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. Washington County Regiment. (Three Years) Colonel Archibald L. McDougall received authority, July 23, 1862, to recruit this regiment; it was organized at Salem, and there mustered in the service of the United States for three years September 4, 1862. December 23, 1863, part of the 145th Infantry was transferred to it. June 8, 1865, the men not to be mustered out with the regiment were transferred to the 60th Infantry. The companies were recruited principally: A at Greenwich; B at Kingsbury; C at Whitehall; D at Fort Ann, Putnam and Dresden; E at Hartford and Hebron; F at Argyle and Greenwich; G at White Creek, Jackson, Greenwich and Salem; H at Salem, Shushan, Greenwich, Hartford and Hebron; I at Easton, Cambridge, Hartford and Hebron, and K at Granville and Hampton. The regiment left the State September 5, 1862; it served in the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 12th Corps, from September, 1862; in the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 12th Corps, from May, 1863; in the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 20th Corps, from April, 1864; and, commanded by Col. James C. Rogers, it was honorably discharged and mustered out June 8, 1865, near Washington, D. C. Source: Phisterer, p. 3,454 Gettysburg after battle report: Report of Lieut. Col. James C. Rogers, One hundred and twenty-third New York Infantry. Pleasant Valley, Md., July 18, 1863. Sir: In compliance with circular from brigade headquarters, dated July 18, 1863, I have the honor to submit the following report of the marches and duties performed by this regiment for the last six weeks: At 6 a. m. June 13, the regiment left camp, near Stafford Court-House, Va., and marched to within a mile of Brooke's Station, where a camp was laid out. Then an order came to move at 6 p. m., and before sunset we marched back toward Stafford Court-House. Continued the march all night, and arrived at Dumfries at 9 a. m. On the 15th, left Dumfries, and, after a march of 25 miles through heat and dust, arrived at Fairfax Court-House at 9 p. m. At 4 a. m. of Wednesday, June 17, started from camp, and, after a march of about 10 miles, encamped about 2 miles southeast of Dranesville. The next day, June 18, marched 20 miles, and encamped at Leesburg. Here we remained for a week, the regiment in the meantime going on picket for three days. At 4 p. m. June 26, started from camp; crossed the Potomac at Edwards Ferry; passed through Poolesville, and bivouacked near the bank of the Monocacy, after a march of about 20 miles. The next day, 27th, crossed the Monocacy, and passed through Point of Rocks; encamped within a mile of Knoxville, Md. June 28, moved at 6 a. m., and, passing through Jefferson, reached Frederick a little after noon. Here it was announced that Gen. Hooker was relieved and Gen. Meade placed in command of the Army of the Potomac. Monday, June 29, left camp, passed through Frederick, and, marching about 18 miles, encamped near Middleburg. June 30, passed through Middleburg and Taneytown, and halted for the night a mile outside of Littlestown, on the Hanover road. While approaching Littlestown, our cavalry was attacked and the infantry ordered to be hurried forward. We accordingly marched through the town at a double-quick, but the rebels had flown. The next morning marched to Two Taverns, and thence toward Gettysburg, where a battle was then raging; formed line near Rock Creek. Lay on our arms that night. Next morning we were ordered in position on the hill near Rock Creek. Afterward were moved toward the town, into the woods to the right of Cemetery Hill. Here the regiment, being in the front line of the brigade, built a strong breastwork along its front. About 4 p. m., in connection with the rest of the brigade, marched to the left of the line, and took position behind the Third Corps. About dark it was ordered back to its old ground. On approaching the woods in which the works were located, Company I was sent out as skirmishers, who soon reported the rebels in the works. First Lieut. Marcus Beadle was taken prisoner at this time. The regiment was then moved a little farther back, and a number of shots were fired from the woods into its ranks, killing 1 man. It lay on its arms until morning, when a battery was planted in its rear to shell the woods in front. One man was killed and 1 wounded by the bursting of the shells of this battery in our ranks. The regiment lay in this position as a reserve until about 2 p. m., when, the enemy having been driven from the breastworks, it moved forward and occupied them. About 4 p. m. it was ordered to march out to the left. After marching some distance, and before coming in a line, the order was countermanded, and the regiment returned to the breastworks, where it lay until morning, when, in connection with two other regiments and a battery, it made a reconnaissance to the north and east of the town as far as the railroad. Found the enemy had fallen back. Returned through the town to the works again. I regret to state that Capt. Weer, a brave and accomplished officer, was severely wounded on Friday by a rebel sharpshooter. The casualties in the regiment were as follows: Officers and men. K. W. M. T. Officers................................... ... 1 1 2 Enlisted men............................... 3 8 ... 11 Total*............................... 3 9 1 13 K=Killed. W=Wounded. M=Missing. T=Total. July 5.--Left our old position, and, marching 10 miles, encamped near Littlestown. July 6.--Moved only 2 or 3 miles. July 7.--Marched about 30 miles, and encamped about 4 miles north of Frederick. July 8.--Passed through Frederick; crossed the Catoctin Range; passed through Middletown, and at night encamped near Burkittsville. July 9.--Passed through Crampton's Gap, and encamped near Rohrersville. July 10.--Marched 10 miles, and encamped near Bakersville. July 11.--Encamped just beyond Fair Play. Came up with the enemy at this place. Next day, moved forward about a mile behind the skirmishers, but before dark moved back on to a rocky ridge behind a marsh, and commenced throwing up breastworks. Worked all night and most of next day in adding traverses, in accordance with orders from brigade headquarters. At 5 a. m. of the 14th, moved to the front; the enemy had left; marched to within a short distance of Falling Waters; lay near there for the night. The next morning at 4 a. m. marched back, and, passing through Fair Play, Bakersville, and Sharpsburg, halted for the night on the west side of Maryland Heights. July 16.--Crossed the Heights, and encamped in Pleasant Valley, near Sandy Hook, our present location. All, both officers and men, have borne the arduous duties of the campaign cheerfully and well. To Capt. Tanner, of Company C, upon whom the command has fallen whenever I have been absent or on other duty, especial credit is due for promptness and ability in performing whatever duty was assigned him. All of which is respectfully submitted. JAMES C. ROGERS, Lieut.-Col., Comdg. Capt. E. J. Rice, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 27. Part I. Reports. Serial No. 43

New York 123rd Infantry (Union)

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