NEW YORK SEVENTY-SIXTH INFANTRY (Three Years)

Seventy-sixth Infantry.-Cols., Nelson W. Green, W. P. Wainwright, Charles E. Livingston; Lieut.-Cols., John D. Shaul, Charles E. Livingston, Andrew J. Grover, John E. Cook, Charles A. Watkins; Majs., Charles E. Livingston, Andrew J. Grover, John E. Cook, John W. Young. The 76th, the "Cortland Regiment," recruited principally in Cortland and Otsego counties, was mustered into the U. S. service at Albany, Jan. 16, 1862, for three years. It left the state the next day for Washington, was assigned to the 3d brigade of Casey's division and served in the vicinity of Washington during the first winter. It suffered its first severe loss at Manassas in Aug., 1862, when it served with the 2nd brigade, 1st division, 3d corps, losing in the several engagements of Gen. Pope's campaign, 147 in killed, wounded and missing. It was active at South mountain and Antietam, its brigade and division having been assigned to the 1st corps, with which it accompanied the cavalry advance through Philomont, Union and Upperville, Va. It participated in the battle of Fredericksburg, went into winter quarters near Falmouth and during the Chancellorsville movement, lost 3 men while guarding bridges. At Gettysburg the regiment took a prominent part and suffered the loss of 234 in killed, wounded and missing. Previous to this battle the ranks had been reinforced by the addition of the veterans and recruits of the 24th and 30th N. Y. infantry, but after Gettysburg they were again sadly thinned. The regiment participated in the Mine Run fiasco, and at Brandy Station in Jan., 1864, was transferred to the 1st brigade of the same division, returning to its old brigade in March, and was later assigned to the 2nd brigade, 4th division, 5th corps, and broke camp in April for the Wilderness campaign, in which it suffered its greatest loss during the first two days-282 killed, wounded or missing. It continued to see hard service at Spottsylvania, the North Anna, Totopotomoy, Cold Harbor and Petersburg, where it took part in the siege operations until the end of its term of service. It was mustered out by companies, July 1, Oct. 11 and 20, Nov. 8 and 18, Dec. 1, 1864, and Jan. 1, 1865, the veterans and recruits being transferred to the 147th N. Y. infantry. The regiment lost during its term of service 175 by death from wounds and 166 by death from accident, imprisonment or disease, of whom 56 died in imprisonment. It ranks among the "three hundred fighting regiments." Source: The Union Army, Vol. 2, p. 106 NEW YORK SEVENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. Cortland Regiment; Cherry Valley Regiment; Otsego County Regiment; Cromwellian Regiment. (Three Years) Colonel Nelson W. Green of Cortland received authority to recruit a regiment of infantry in Cortland county, and commenced recruiting September 2, 1861, receiving some men from the counties of Allegany and Yates. About the same time Gen. George E. Danforth received authority to recruit a regiment in the counties of Otsego and Schoharie, with headquarters at Cherry Valley, to which regiment the 39th Militia furnished a large number of men. These regiments were moved to Albany, and being below the minimum number, consolidated into one, the 76th Regiment, with N. W. Green as Colonel, January 14, 1862. Companies A, B, C, D, E, F and G were formed of eight companies of the Cortland Regiment, and H, I and K of four companies of the Cherry Valley Regiment. One company, I, of the Cortland Regiment, and the companies of Capts. Nicholas Hanson and Nelson S. Bowdish, of the Cherry Valley Regiment, were organized as a battery and assigned as Battery M to the 3d Artillery; Captain McNett's company of the Cortland Regiment was transferred to the 93d Infantry, December 28, 1861. The newly formed regiment contained also men from the counties of Chenango, Madison, Tioga and Tompkins, and was mustered in the service of the United States for three years January 16, 1862. In May, 1863, it received the three years' men of the 24th and 30th Regiments of Infantry. The regiment left the State January 17, 1862; served at and near Washington, D. C., in 3d Brigade, Casey's Division, Army of the Potomac, from January, 1862; in the Military district of Washington from March, 1862; in Doubleday's Brigade, Department Rappahannock, from May 21, 1862; in the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 3d Corps, Army of Virginia, from June 26, 1862; in the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Corps, Army of the Potomac, from September 12, 1862; in the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Corps, Army of the Potomac, from January 4, 1864; in the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Corps, Army of the Potomac, from March 6, 1864; in the 2d Brigade, 4th Division, 5th Corps, Army of the Potomac, from March 25, 1864; in the 3d Brigade, 2d Division, 5th Corps, from August, 1864; in the 3d Brigade, 3d Division, 5th Corps, Army of the Potomac, from September, 1864. Companies B, F and K were honorably discharged and mustered out July 1, 1864; Company A October 11; G October 20; C November 8; E November 18; I December 1, 1864; H January 1, 1865; detachments of these companies and Company D remaining in the field were, under Capt. Albert J. Jarvis, transferred to the 147th N. Y. Volunteers January 28 and 31, 1865. Source: Phisterer p. 2,796 Antietam after battle report: Reports of Col. William P. Wainwright, Seventy-sixth New York Infantry, of the battle of South Mountain. MIDDLETOWN VALLEY, SHEFFER'S HOUSE, Near Mount Tabor, September 16, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to report, for the information of Gen. Doubleday, that on the afternoon of the 14th instant, after the battalions had been moved up to the edge of the wood, the Seventy-sixth New York Volunteers passed through a line of troops under the command of Gen. Patrick. The regiment formed with perfect steadiness on the extreme left. They were well in hand during the whole engagement, always obeyed the orders to fire and to cease firing readily, and although not many cartridges were expended, the repulse of an attempt to turn our left, which, in conjunction with the left wing of the Seventh Indiana Regiment, was brilliantly accomplished, and the orderly manner in which they afterward passed the line of troops coming up to relieve them, showed that they are fast becoming veteran soldiers. I would again (as in a note sent yesterday afternoon by Surgeon Metcalfe) call the general's attention to the weakened state of the regiment. They went into action on this occasion with only forty files. Their loss was, so far as ascertained, 2 killed and 13 wounded--of the latter, 2 mortally. I doubt whether they can now furnish more than thirty files, commanded by four lieutenants, in any line of battle that may be called for at present. In the above action First Lieuts. Crandall and Goddard and Second Lieuts. Byram and Foster were the only officers present under me. They all conducted themselves admirably. I think it was Lieut. Goddard who first called my attention to the enemy stealing through the corn in order to gain our flank. Sergeant Stamp, just promoted for good conduct in a former battle, was shot through the head while gallantly carrying the national colors. Owing to a wound in the arm received during the action, I am unable to join the regiment. First Lieut. Crandall is next in command. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, W. P. WAINWRIGHT, Col. Seventy-sixth Regiment New York Volunteers. Capt. E. P. HALSTEAD, Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Doubleday's Brigade. ----WASHINGTON, D. C., September 24, 1862. CAPT.: It was with great regret, after making my report on the battle of the 14th instant at South Mountain, that I remembered having omitted the name of First Lieut. Robert Story, Company H, as present during the action. The lieutenant was present and in command of his company, and conducted himself very meritoriously. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, W. P. WAINWRIGHT, Col. Seventy-sixth Regiment New York Volunteers. Capt. E. P. HALSTEAD, Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Doubleday's Brigade. Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 19. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 27 Gettysburg after battle report: Report of Capt. John E. Cook, Seventy-sixth New York Infantry. Camp near Boonsborough, Md., July 11, 1863. Capt.: I have the honor to report that on July 1, at about 10.30 a. m., being the extreme advance regiment of the First Corps, we reached the battle-field near the seminary at Gettysburg, and while marching by the flank were opened upon by the enemy, stationed in large force at a distance of about 30 rods, where they were lying down concealed from view in a wheat-field. We were exposed to their fire several minutes before replying. The men were cautioned to hold their fire until the enemy appeared, when orders were given to commence firing. At this juncture, a large force of the enemy deployed upon our right flank, subjecting us to a galling cross-fire. Maj. Grover then ordered the right wing to change front to the rear to oppose the new force. Simultaneously with this he fell, mortally wounded, and the brigade commander ordered the regiment to fall back. This was done in good order and the line reformed on the railroad track near the seminary. We again advanced and took our old ground, which we held for some time; then fell back to the woods on the brow of the hill; thence advanced right-oblique a short distance, obtained a good position, and silenced the fire of the enemy, who lay behind a fence in the hollow. Here we shot down their colors (having done so twice in the first engagement), and a portion of our regiment charged with the Ninety-fourth New York, and took a large body of the enemy and a stand of colors. Being out of ammunition, the Ninety-fourth New York relieved us, and we were not again under infantry fire until we passed through Gettysburg. Here we lost 8 or 10 men by falling bricks and infantry fire in the streets; since which time the history of the regiment is that of the brigade. After this we had a few men slightly wounded on the hill in the rear of the town. The whole regiment behaved admirably, with one or two exceptions. Each man came up to the mark without flinching, and remained there, taking careful aim and displaying great coolness. I desire to mention particularly the following officers for distinguished bravery and coolness on the field: Capts. J. L. Goddard, Company F; H. W. Pierce, Company A; and S. M. Byram, Company D; First Lieuts. C. A. Watkins, Company G; J. C. Hatch, Company C; and N. G. Bartholomew, Company K; First Sergts. Ira C. Potter, Company A; Silas Smith, Company I; and Homer D. Call; and Sergts. George W. Steele, Company G; and B. I. D. Fox, Company H. The casualties were as follows: Killed, 32; wounded, 132; missing, 70. Total, 234. I have the honor to remain, your obedient servant, JOHN E. COOK, Capt., Comdg. Seventy-sixth New York Volunteers. Capt. J. A. Kellogg, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Second Brigade.

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

New York 76th Infantry (Union)

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