The 153rd Regt. N. Y. State Vols. was raised in 1862 under the second call from President Lincoln, for 300.000 men. Seven of its companies were from the counties of Fulton, Montgomery and Saratoga, the other three from Clinton, Essex and Warren. Mustered into service at Fonda, Oct. 18th, 1862 and left for Virginia the same day.
On arriving at Washington, Oct. 22d, it was at once ordered to Alexandria Va., and encamped there. A high degree of discipline prevailed through the efficient attention of Col. McMartin and his officers. Sickness was present however in the form of typhoid, pneumonia, measles and small pox. Col. McMARTIN resigned through an accident and poor health. Because of his generous and impartial conduct he won the hearts of his officers and men, and they said farewell with deep regret. Col. ARMSTRONG also resigned, and Maj. E. P. DAVIS was promoted to colonelcy of the regiment.
Alexandria at the time was a vast depot of military stores and because of this, the fear of being attacked in the middle of the night had the troops often woke from their sleep and formed in line of battle, across the different roads leading to the city. They would stay this way until dawn. For Fourteen nights this regiment lay behind temporary barriers of quartermasters’ wagons, in the open , expecting the enemy.
20th of July 1862: Regiment is ordered to Capital Hill barracks, Washington. There they performed guard duty, protecting the depot of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, basic ID checks, Patrolling the city, convoying troops to the front, prisoners to POINT LOOKOUT and guarding Contraband Camp, Central Guard-House, Carroll and Old Capitol Prisons.
Surgeon Hendee and Quartermaster Livingston resigned while here , and Dr. SNOW, 1st Asst. Became surgeon
20th Feb. 1864: Regiment embarked on the steamer Mississippi for New Orleans, where it arrived Feb. 28th landing at Algiers, opposite the city, and occupying the Belleville Iron Works. They then went by rail March 3d, to Brashaer, 80 miles distant. Crossing Grand Lake at Brashaer, the troops marched up the valley of Bayou Teche.
On the 5th they arrived at Franklin and reporting to Gen. Franklin, were assigned to the 1st brigade, 1st division, 19th army corps. On the 15th they again moved toward Alexandria on the Red River, arriving there March 24th 1864. It is noted that on the way JOSEPH HAWKINS, of co. K. Died of Exhaustion.
28th March 1864: Left Alexandria for Shreveport, 170 miles distant, which was in possession of the enemy. Gen. Lee led the cavalry division, the 13th followed, then the 1st division of the 19th corps, next came the 13th and 19th corps trains with ten day’s rations.
The 1s brigade of the 19th army corps, to which this regiment was assigned, was commanded by Gen. Dwight, and consisted of the 29th, 114th, 116th, and 153rd N. Y. Regiments. The country now supplied the entire army with beef, vast numbers of cattle being secured daily. After one month of travel the army halted at Pleasant Hill to wait for the train to catch up.
8th April, 1864: 153rd Regiment was detailed to guard the division train, and so was in the rear of the army. On this day the cavalry and 13th corp. being in advance were met by the enemy at SABINE CROSS ROADS and being overpowered by shear numbers, fell back in confusion.
Gen. EMERY drew up his (1st) division at Pleasant Grove, three miles below Sabine Cross Roads. The Rebels, putting pressure on the retreating forces, charged upon Emery with great abandon. For an hour and a half he gallantly resisted their repeated onsets, until darkness halted the conflict.
The Union troops continued on the battle field until midnight, when they were ordered back to Pleasant Hill. The enemy discovered their line of retreat and followed them. Our troops took position to resist the onset. Five times the Rebels tried to break the defenses of the 1st brigade only to be driven back. This was the first battle the Regiment had taken part.
In his report Col. DAVIS says (directly from book) “My men behaved nobly, and I attach much credit to the noble manner in which my line officers acted. Lieut.-Col. STRAIN, Maj. SAMMONS and Adjut. DAVIS rendered me valuable assistance in keeping my line together and maintaining my position.” Three hours later the conflict ended because of darkness.
On account of the scarcity of water and rations, on April 10th, they moved toward GRAND ECORE, a small town on a bluff of the Red river. They reached it the following day.
Gen. DWIGHT now became chief of staff to Gen. BANKS, and Col. Beal of the 29th Maine, was assigned to the 1st Brigade.
The rebel army fired the town of Grand Ecore to apprise the enemy of the Army’s departure.
The union troops continued their retreat to Alexandria, the base of supplies, which they reached on the 25th of April. They remained until the 13th of May, when they again took up their march, toward Mississippi, the fleet leaving at the same time. As the troops left Alexandria a fire broke out in such a way as to make it impossible to prevent a general conflagration.
Some skirmishing by the troops on this march, and once they met the enemy in force. The Battle of Mansura occurred on this route, but it was fought principally with artillery on the Union side.
On the 17th of May the army reached the Atchafalaya, river near Simsport, where the transports were found awaiting them. The river 600 hundred feet wide at this point was bridged with 19 transports fastened together and on the 19th the troops and trains passed over. On the 22nd they reached Marganzia Bend on the Mississippi. Here the 153rd suffered much with sickness and death. On the 1st of July the 153d and 114th regiments took the steamer Crescent for New Orleans, they arrived on the 2nd of July and following day moved down river under sealed orders. Soon they learned they were destined for FORTRESS MONROE.
Once there, they were ordered to report in Washington, arriving July 11th 1864. The 153rd took positions up in the rifle pits beyond Fort Saratoga. (At this point Gen. EARLY was foraging in Maryland and causing our troops uneasiness.) This regiment with the 6th, and 19th corps under Command of Gen. Wright, were sent with other troops in pursuit of EARLY. After several days they settled in HARPER’S FERRY, Aug. 5th. On the 7th of Aug. Gen. SHERIDAN was placed in command of the “Middle Department” composed of the late departments of West Virginia, Washington, and Susquehanna.
The battle of Openquan Creek or Winchester was fought to gain possession of the ravine, the key to Winchester. The Union army was victorious. However, in this battle the 19th corp. suffered most severely, having lost 1940 in killed and wounded. Capt. DEWANDILAER and Jacob C. KLOCK were found in the house of a rebel Congressmen. Capt. KLOCK was severely wounded. He was , however, enabled to return to his home in St. Johnsville, where after being promoted Major, died, Oct., 4th 1864. Post Klock, No. 70, G A R., of Fort Plain was named in honor of him.
After the battle of Opequan creek or Winchester, the enemy were pursued 8 miles south to Fisher’s Hill. They were found to be heavily fortified between two mountain ranges. From this stronghold they were completely routed. Sheridan was in possession of Fisher’s Hill on the 22nd Sept.
The Union forces pursued the enemy night and day, harassing and driving them through Woodstock, Mt. Jackson, Mt. Crauford and Staunton to Waynesborough, destroying flouring mills and vast quantities of grain.
While in the valley 22 of the men were captured by MOSEBY. Seven of them he decided to hang, because Custer had executed seven of his guerrillas at Fort Royal. The number was chosen by lot and carried out a mile west of Berryville. Four of the condemned escaped, (they were severely wounded) the other three were hanged. One of these was a member of the 153rd.
On the 10th of October the army crossed Cedar Creek and encamped.
October 18th, the 1st and part of the 2nd division proceeded on a reconnaissance, and discovered the the rebels were again entrenched at Fisher’s Hill.
Oct. 19th : Knowing that on the 15th Sheridan made a flying visit to Washington leaving Gen. Wright of the 6th corps in command, EARLY attacked. They forced the Union troops to withdraw several miles. Sheridan returning from Washington and hearing of the disaster, hastened to his army. He formed a line of battle and as he dashed along the ranks said “Never mind, boys we’ll whip them yet” They continued to engage the enemy and drove the rebels out. Col. DAVIS was made Brigadier General by brevet for his bravery at this battle.
9th of Nov. Army left Cedar creek and encamped near Newtown. Here the troops remained until December 29th. They broke camp and went to Stevenson’s Depot. They erected winter quarters near the depot in a grove of oak and black walnut.
23rd of March, 1865: Regiment was sent across to Snicker’s Gap, but returned the following day without adventure.
Midnight of April 9th, 1865: Booming of cannon announced the surrender of LEE.
April 11th the regiment moved to Summit Point and on the 20th they left this place by cars to Washington. While passing Harper’s Ferry, FINK, of company C was killed.
The following day the regiment encamped near Fort Stevens, at Washington, and took part in the Grand Review of the April 23rd and 24th.
6 June 1865: The 153rd embarked on the steamer ORIENTAL for Savannah, Georgia. It arrived on the 13th.
Major Charles F. PUTNAM died in Savannah, after a brief illness. He had been with the regiment from the beginning. On the 9th his remains were borne by his comrades to the beautiful Laurel Grove cemetery. They then were brought forth of the time of the return of the regiment to be interred in FULTONVILLE near his former home.
On the 5th of October this regiment took the steamer “EMILY” for the north by way of Hilton Head, which place was reached the same day.
7th of October. The 153d left by the steamer “McLELLAN” for New York, arriving on the 10th of October.
On the 11th took the “MARY BENTON” for ALBANY. Here a large number of the sick were taken to the “IRA HARRIS” Hospital. Of them, twelve or fourteen died, several at Albany, the others after reaching their homes.
On the 16th day October 1865 the men were mustered out of the service and paid off.
End