NEW YORK ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-FIFTH INFANTRY (One Year)

One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Infantry.-Cols., Edwin S. Jenny, Gustavus Sniper; Lieut.-Cols., Gustavus Sniper, Theodore M. Barber; Majs., John Leo, Robert P. Bush. The 185th, known as the 6th Onondaga county regiment, the Onondaga and Cortland regiment, and the Otsego regiment, was recruited in the counties of Onondaga and Cortland and organized at Syracuse on Aug. 26, 1864. Shortly before that date a public meeting had been held at the city hall at Syracuse and a committee of leading citizens formed for the purpose of organizing the regiment. It was mustered into the U. S. service at Syracuse for one yearCos. A, B, C, D, E, G, H and I on Sept. 19; Co. F on Sept. 25, and Co. K on Sept. 21. When the regiment was mustered out the few three years men in the organization were transferred to the 5th veteran infantry. The regiment left the state on Sept. 27, 1864, and at once proceeded to the front, joining Grant's army before Petersburg. On its arrival, Oct. 1, it was assigned to the 1st brigade, Griffin's division, 5th corps, with which it took part in its first battle at Burgess farm and sustained a few casualties. In December it participated in the Hicksford raid, during which it lost 6 men captured. It was in the second battle of Hatcher's run in Feb., 1865, losing 16 men killed, wounded and missing; was present without loss at Watkins' house in March; then moved with the corps on the final Appomattox campaign, fighting at Quaker road, Gravelly run, Five Forks and Appomattox. In the battle at the Quaker road, Col. Sniper led the regiment in a brilliant and successful charge, personally holding aloft the colors after 3 color-bearers had fallen and the conduct of both officers and men throughout the engagement was worthy of the highest commendation, though the loss of the regiment was severe, amounting to 203 killed and wounded, the brave Lieuts. E. F. Bauder and Daniel Miller both being killed. A pathetic incident was the killing of Lieut. Hiram Clark in the final skirmish at Appomattox, on the day of Lee's surrender. The regiment was honorably discharged and mustered out near Washington, D. C., May 30, 1865, under Col. Sniper. It lost by death during its term of service 3 officers and 59 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded; 3 officers and 33 enlisted men died of disease and other causes, a total of 98. Despite the fact that the regiment's period of service was comparatively short it was able to establish a highly honorable record. It left for the seat of war with 923 officers and men and returned home with 22 officers and 544 enlisted men. Source: The Union Army, Vol. 2, p. 177 New York ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-FIFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. Sixth Onondaga County Regiment; Onondaga and Cortland Regiment; Otsego Regiment. (One Year) This regiment, Col. Edwin S. Jenney, was organized under State orders, dated August 26, 1864 at Syracuse, and there mustered in the service of the United States for one year; Companies A, B, C, D, E, G, H and I September 19, 1864; Company F September 25, 1864; and K September 21, 1864. The few three years' men in the regiment were, May 30, 1865, transferred to the 5th Veteran Infantry. The companies were recruited principally: A at Lysander and Syracuse; B at Syracuse and Salina; C at Syracuse; D at Syracuse, Salina, Otisco, Clay and Geddes; E at Homer, Cortlandville, Syracuse, Truxton and Taylor; F at Cortland, Syracuse, Virgil and Taylor; G at Marathon, Freetown, Willet and Cincinnatus; H at Syracuse, Spafford and Baldwinsville; I at Fabius, Syracuse and Baldwinsville; and K at Skaneateles and Syracuse. The regiment left the State September 27, 1864; it served in the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Corps, and, commanded by Col. Gustavus Sniper, it was honorably discharged and mustered out May 30, 1865. near Washington, D.C.

Source: Phisterer, p. 4,058

New York 185th Infantry (Union)

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