NEW YORK ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTH INFANTRY (Three Years)

One Hundred and Eighth Infantry.-Cols., Oliver H. Palmer, Charles J. Powers; Lieut.-Cols., Charles J. Powers, Francis E. Pierce; Majs., George B. Force, Francis E. Pierce, Harmon S. Hogaboom, William H. Andrews. The 108th regiment was recruited and organized at Rochester, where it was mustered into the U. S. service for three years, Aug. 16-18, 1862. It left the state the following day, and served in the defenses of Washington until Sept. 6, when it was assigned to the 2nd brigade, 3d division (French's), 2nd corps, and engaged in its first battle at Antietam. The new regiment suffered a loss in the battle of 30 killed, 122 wounded and 43 missing. Its next battle was at Fredericksburg where Gen. Couch commanded the corps, and the regiment again suffered severely, losing 92 in killed, wounded and missing. Its loss at Chancellorsville was 52, Gen. Hancock being in command of the corps and Gen. Alex. Hays the division. At Gettysburg where the regiment again met with a severe loss on the second and third days, its casualties amounted to 102 killed and wounded. In October it was engaged with some loss at Auburn and Bristoe Station, a 2nd corps affair; was active during the Mine Run campaign at the close of the year, and at the battle of Morton's ford in Feb., 1864. On the reorganization of the Army of the Potomac in March, 1864, the 3d division was consolidated with the 1st and 2nd, the 108th being assigned to the 3d brigade, 2nd division, 2nd corps, with which it crossed the Rapidan and engaged in the Wilderness campaign. It lost 52 at the battle of the Wilderness, 53 at Spottsylvania, suffered constant losses in the subsequent battles leading up to Petersburg, and in the battles at the Weldon railroad, Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains, Reams' station, Boydton plank road, Hatcher's run, the final assault on Petersburg, and fought its last battle at Farmville, two days before Lee's surrender. It was mustered out under Col. Powers, May 28, 1865, at Bailey's cross-roads, Va., and the men not then entitled to discharge were transferred to the 59th N. Y. Maj. Force was killed at Antietam, and both Col. Palmer and Col. Powers were promoted to the rank of brevet brigadier-general for faithful and meritorious services. The regiment lost during service 9 officers and 106 men killed and mortally wounded; 90 men died of disease and other causes, a total of 205. Among the many brilliant achievements of the regiment, it is related that in the fight at Morton's ford the 108th advanced rapidly and without firing a shot to a stone wall occupied by the enemy, when they delivered a volley and with shouts leaped over the wall and were soon in possession of an important position which virtually decided the contest. Source: The Union Army, Vol. 2, p. 128 NEW YORK ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. Rochester Regiment. (Three Years) Mr. John W. Williams was authorized July 10, 1862, as Colonel, to recruit this regiment in Monroe county; Col. Oliver H. Palmer succeeded him July 28, 1862; the regiment was recruited and organized at Rochester, where it was mustered in the service of the United States for three years August 16-18, 1862. The men not to be discharged with the regiment were, in May, 1865, transferred to the 59th Infantry. The regiment left the State August 19, 1862; served in Whipple's Division, Defenses of Washington, D. C., from August, 1862; in 2d Brigade, 3d Division, 2d Corps, Army of the Potomac, from September 6, 1862; in the 3d Brigade, 2d Division, 2d Corps, from March, 1864; and it was honorably discharged and mustered out, under Col. Charles J. Powers, May 28, 1865, at Bailey's Cross Roads, Va. Source: Phisterer, p. 3,269 Antietam after battle report: Report of Col. Oliver H. Palmer, One hundred and eighth New York Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. HEADQUARTERS 108TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS, Near sharpsburg, September 19, 1862. I have the honor to report that on the 17th instant my command left camp near Keedysville about 6 o'clock in the morning, and, after marching about 2 miles, having formed into line of battle, entered into action on the crest of the hill on the left of the brigade in the front line of battle, and in front of the corn-field and rifle-pits occupied by the rebels. The action commenced about 7.30 o'clock in the morning. My command remained in line, and continued in position, firing with great rapidity and energy, in the face of a deadly fire of the enemy, who were stationed in the corn-field and rifle-pits, not more than 20 or 30 rods distant, until about 12.30 o'clock in the afternoon. During the action a charge was made upon the rifle-pits, and we took 159 rebel privates and non-commissioned officers, 3 rebel captains, and 6 lieutenants, also one stand of regimental colors of the Fourteenth North Carolina Regiment. These colors were taken by Henry Niles, of Company K, of this regiment, but after taking the colors some officer of another regiment told him to give them up, stating that if he carried them he might be fired into by our own men. Not knowing any batter, he handed them to such officer. The prisoners were taken under guard by Capt. E. P. Fuller, of Company H, of my regiment, and delivered to an officer of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, guarding at Boonsborough, Md., and a receipt taken, which has been delivered to Gen. French. The prisoners were so taken and delivered by direction of an aide-de-camp of Gen. Sumner. At about 12.30 p. m. of the 17th my command was relieved for a time by the Irish Brigade, by order of Gen. Richardson. It was then ordered to fall back about 100 rods. It did so, and was then reformed upon the colors, but I was only Able then to collect about 100 men. I was then ordered by Gen. Richardson to again march into line to the front, to fill a gap in the line of battle farther to the left and in Gen. Richardson's division, and my command was marched there accordingly, and remained there under a severe fire from the enemy's batteries until the close of the action, at dark. By order of Gen. Hancock my command was then placed on the front line of pickets to do picket duty, and remained in that position until 9 o'clock on the morning of the 18th, and until relieved by order of Gen. French. During their picket duty a rebel prisoner was taken by a private in Company B, and delivered to Gen. Caldwell. During the action my officers and men conducted themselves with gratifying coolness and bravery. My loss has been severe, and I regret to report that early in the action my major, George B. Force, was instantly killed while in the fearless discharge of his duty. Lieut. D. B. Tarbox, of Company B, and Lieut. R. E. Holmes, of Company G, were also killed while leading their commands in action. Lieut. W. W. Bloss, of Company A, bravely took the colors, and, while advancing in the face of the enemy, was severely wounded. Lieut. Porter, of Company F, was shot through the foot while bravely discharging his duty. Twenty-three privates were killed and 122 non-commissioned officers and privates were wounded. Forty-seven privates are missing-whether killed or wounded I am unable to report. My total loss in killed, wounded, and missing is 196. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, O. H. PALMER, Col. One hundred and eighth New York Volunteers. Col. MORRIS, Commanding Second Brigade, Gen. French's Division.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 19. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 27

New York 108th Infantry (Union)

Related Records