Union Blue and Militia Gray: The Role of the New York State Militia in the Civil War - Preface
Even today the "War between the States" is the term used for the American Civil War throughout much of the South. While it was a war fought between two national governments, many men on both sides felt that they were serving their states as much, if not more, than their central governments. Many of the states agreed, since the state governments raised their own units, commissioned their officers and supplied the enlisted men. [1]
New York State possessed the largest of these state armies which consisted of pre-war militia, and war-time volunteers. Unlike most other northern states, New York continued to maintain strong militia forces throughout the conflict for home defense, civil control and reinforcement of the Federal armies on active service. In fact, at the beginning of the war, New York's organized militia was larger than the United States regular army.
The New York State Militia (later renamed the National Guard), despite critical shortages and deficiencies in armament and training, made a significant contribution to the successful suppression of the rebellion. Some of the more famous episodes of the militia's contribution, such as their journey to Washington in 1861, may be familiar to history buffs. Unfortunately, the whole story of those efforts has gone largely unrecorded.
Research into this area revealed that material is spread over a wide area of primary and secondary sources. This study is an attempt to present that material in a comprehensive narrative, and analysis of New York's militia forces during the War of the Rebellion when events at home and abroad demanded considerable self-sacrifice and dedication from its citizen soldiers. I have purposely concentrated on the state militia and National Guard units. Histories of the war-time volunteer forces can be found in numerous other publications, and I have refrained from discussing the volunteers except where their participation was directly related to or affected by the state militia. Additionally, the human factor has not been neglected since the soldiers' patriotism and aspirations directly affected events and their own performance.
In a military career spanning more than twenty-eight years, I spent thirteen years in various command and staff positions in the 1st Battalion, 107th U.S. Infantry, New York Army National Guard (the old 7th Regiment, New York State Militia). During that time I quickly learned how valuable the contributions of the reserve components have been to our state and nation. The term, "twice a citizen," became a watchword for the patriotism and dedication displayed by my fellow officers and soldiers. In that same vein, this study was motivated by the high regard and respect which have been fostered in me towards the militia and National Guard forces. This study is therefore dedicated to my comrades in the Army National Guard.
My heartfelt thanks are extended to Diana Van Dorn who graciously typed the manuscript, and cheerfully put up with many changes and alterations.
The text was updated and corrected on 17 March 2005.
Preface Footnotes
1. Phillip Katcher, American Civil War Armies, State Forces (London: Osprey Books, 1989), IV: 3.
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