66th Infantry Regiment

Nickname: Governor's Guard; Mechanic Rifles; Old Sixth Militia

Mustered in: November 4,1861
Mustered out: August 30,1863

The following is taken from New York in the War of the Rebellion, 3rd ed. Frederick Phisterer. Albany: J. B. Lyon Company, 1912.

This regiment was organized by the State October 29, 1861, at New York City, by the consolidation of the Mechanic Rifles, Col. James H. Bull, with the Governor's Guard, Col. Joseph C. Pinckney, of the 6th Militia, with the latter as Colonel. The Putnam Rifles, the Leslie Guard and part of the Empire Zouaves had previously been merged into the Governor's Guard, of which the 6th Militia formed the nucleus. The regiment was recruited at New York City (a few men were from New Jersey), and there mustered in the service of the United States for three years November 4, 1861. At the expiration of its term of service, the men entitled thereto were discharged, and the regiment retained in service.
It left the state November 16, 1861, served in Graham's Brigade, Buell's, later Keyes', Division Army of the Potomac, from November, 1861; in French's Brigade, Sumner's Division' Army of the Potomac, from January, 1862; in same, 3d Brigade, Richardson's, 1st Division, 2& Corps, Army of the Potomac, from March, 1862; in 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 2d Corps, from August, 1862; in 3d Brigade, 1st Division, 2d Corps, from September, 1862; in 4th Brigade, 1st Division, 2d Corps, Army of the Potomac, from March, 1864- at Fort Richmond, New York harbor, from May, 1865; and, commanded by Col. John S. Hammell, it was honorably discharged and mustered out August 30, 1865, at New York City. 
During its service the regiment lost by death, killed in action, 8 officers, 60 enlisted men- of wounds received in action, 2 officers, 37 enlisted men; of disease and other causes, 4 officers, 120 enlisted men; total, 14 officers, 217 enlisted men; aggregate, 231; of whom 2 officers, 54 enlisted men died in the hands of the enemy.

The following is taken from The Union army: a history of military affairs in the loyal states, 1861-65 -- records of the regiments in the Union army -- cyclopedia of battles -- memoirs of commanders and soldiers. Madison, WI: Federal Pub. Co., 1908. volume II. 

Sixty-sixth Infantry.—Cols., Joseph C. Pinckney, Orlando H. Morris, John S. Hammell; Lieut.-Cols., James H. Bull, John S. Hammell; Majs., Orlando H. Morris, Peter Nelson. The 66th, the "Governor's Guard," was the outgrowth of the 6th militia, recruited mainly in New York city, and was mustered into the U. S. service at New York, Nov. 4, 1861, for a three years' term. It left New York for Washington, Nov. 16, 1861, was assigned to Graham's brigade, Buell's division, until Jan., 1862, when it became a part of French's brigade, Sumner's division, which became in March, the 3d brigade, 1st division, 2nd corps, Army of the Potomac. It reached the Peninsula in time to be present during the latter part of the siege of Yorktown; was active at Fair Oaks and during the Seven Days' battles, but suffered its most severe loss at Antietam, where 103 were killed, wounded or captured, among them Chaplain Dwight, who was in the midst of the fight. The 66th proceeded through Charlestown, W. Va., and Snicker's gap, to Fredericks-burg, where it lost 75 in killed, wounded and missing out of 238 engaged. It was then in the 3d (Zook's) brigade of Hancock's division, which also suffered severely at Chancellorsville, the loss of the 66th being 70 men. The 2nd corps continued to see arduous service through the hard fought field of Gettysburg and the actions at Auburn and Bristoe Station, the last being a 2nd corps engagement. After the Mine Run movement the regiment went into winter quarters with the Army of the Potomac and when the spring campaign opened, was assigned to the 4th brigade of its old division. In Grant's campaign in the Wilderness the heaviest losses of the 66th were suffered during the first week, but it continued in active service through Cold Harbor, where Col. Morris, com-manding the brigade was killed, and the siege of Petersburg, losing heavily in the first assault on the fortifications. In the autumn of 1864 the original members not reenlisted were mustered out and the reenlisted men and recruits remained at the front as a veteran organization. After the fall of Petersburg the regiment was ordered to Fort Richmond, New York harbor, and there remained until Aug. 30, when it was mustered out, having lost 107 from wounds during the term of service and 124 from other causes.

66thInfMarker2003.0290.jpg

66th Regiment NY Volunteer Infantry | Flank Marker | Civil War

This blue silk presentation flank marker features painted inscriptions and yellow silk fringe. Formerly stored folded in a bag, almost all of the…

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NYSMM Online Resources

Battles and Casualties from Phisterer (pdf)
Battles and Casualties from Phisterer (spreadsheet)

Muster Roll

Unit Roster

Newspaper Clippings

Historical Sketch

Monument at Gettysburg

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Other Resources

This is meant to be a comprehensive list. If, however, you know of a resource that is not listed below, please send an email to ng.ny.nyarng.list.historians@army.mil with the name of the resource and where it is located. This can include photographs, letters, articles and other non-book materials. Also, if you have any materials in your possession that you would like to donate, the museum is always looking for items specific to New York's military heritage. Thank you.

Carlile, Rick et al. Three Days in July. Military Images. Summer 2020. 

Craig, Esther VanDerveer. Letters, 1829-1909.
5 items
Abstract: Letters from Esther Craig, Fultonville, NY to her brother Albert fighting in the South in the in the Union army during the Civil War regarding war news, editorial comment on military police, politics, the course of the war, preparations for the great jubilee, Lincoln's assassination, and comments such as this: "I think President Lincoln should give the Negroes the privilege of being their own avengers the Rebs would soon have to call mercy." Additional topics include the health, activities, and deaths of family and friends.
Located at the Fenimore Art Museum

Derrickson, James G. (b. 1811). United States. Army. Regiment of Infantry, 66th. 
Scrapbook containing a series of articles from  The Tarrytown Argus entitled, “Diary During my Imprisonment in Dixie,” by James G. Derrickson, presented by Chauncey K Buchanan. Contains some missing installments of the series in manuscript (probably copied from The Tarrytown Argus) as well as annotations by Buchanan. 1890-1891.
Located at the New York State Historical Association – Research Library. New York State Historical Association – Research Library, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Derrickson, James Gaunt, . James G. Derrickson diary, 1864-1865.
Abstract: This volume consists of a serialized newspaper reprint of James G. Derrickson's Civil War diary concerning his time as a prisoner of war in the south. He wrote about food, shelter, sickness, morale, rumors, prayer meetings and sermons, and treatment by the Rebels.
Preferred citation: James G. Derrickson diary, William L. Clements Library, The University of Michigan.

Lang, Wendell. "Time Lapse." Civil War Times Illustrated. 24 :1 March, 1985. 46.

McDermott, William James . William James McDermott papers, 1844-1919.
160 pieces 3 boxes
Abstract: Miscellaneous papers, chiefly official documents and correspondence related to McDermott's career, particularly his military service. Included are orders, appointments, commissions, reports, requests and bills for medical supplies, correspondence. The papers contain a report of examination and treatment of those wounded at the Battle of the Wilderness (May 1864) and a letter to his father describing the aftermath of the Battle of Cold Harbor and the siege of Petersburg. There are also McDermott's credentials, his Masonic diplomas and correspondence, passports, certificates, and other documents. Also included are poems and an essay on the history of the City University of New York, written by McDermott. The collection also contains scattered family records, some daguerreotype portraits, a 1873 notebook containing formulas for medicines kept by Dr. John B. Crosby, and a petition signed by "Her Majesty's Protestant subjects" of St. John, N.B. about ban on secret societies, which was allegedly sought by "Roman Catholics" in order to "prevent Protestants meeting together to hold loyal associations." (1844).
Located at the The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.

Military Collection- Civil war diaries, 1861-1865.
Description: 17 items
abstract: Diaries of Corp. Newell Burch, 154th New York Volunteers (battles of Fredericksburg and Gettysburg); James G. Derrickson, 66th Volunteers (imprisoned at Andersonville and elsewhere); Capt. George Harrison, 62nd Volunteers; Orin W. Monroe, 185th Volunteers; Dean A. Pierce, 121st Volunteers; Joel W. Rogers, 64th Volunteers; Sgt. George Smith, 93rd Volunteers; Edward Wales, 121st Volunteers; Daniel M. Holt, Ass't Surgeon, 121st Volunteers (also letters); John L. Hoster, 148th Volunteers (also company roll book); F. Wunderlen, 33rd Volunteers; and John Wright, 2nd Volunteers.
Located at the New York State Historical Association, Library, Cooperstown, New York 13326.

Rosenfeld, Joshua. Biography of Adam Cook, 1845-1917. New York: [2014].

Stahl, Joseph. "Cpl. John Stinger, Company G, 66th New York State Volunteers." Gettysburg: Historical Articles of Lasting Interest. :41 July 2009. 85-87.

Vander Veer, Albert. Albert Vander Veer, 1841-1929 papers,1862-1929.
Description: 2.0 cubic ft.
Abstract: Journal books containing study notes, reports as surgeon, and lists of military patients, 1863-66; diary for 1864; Register and Prescription Book for 66th Regiment, with case histories, 1862-70; correspondence between Vander Veer and Mrs. Adolph Nelson about her husband's war injuries, 1913; family photographs and memorabilia, 1914-28; notebook on Vander Veer genealogy, 1909-29; obituaries and letters of condolence on Vander Veer's death, 1929; and typescript diary of Col. Franklin H. Martin describing Europe in 1914, his work with the Council of National Defense, 1916-18, and an official visit to England, France, and Italy prior to the Armistice, 1918.
Vander Veer served during the Civil War as surgeon in the 66th Regiment, New York Volunteers.
Located at the Albany Institute of History and Art, McKinney Library, 125 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12210.

Van Derveer, Albert. Letters (1862)
Description:  2 items
abstract: These letters regard Van Derveer's thoughts on the Union Army's strategy and execution of the war. Both letters were written at camps in Virginia.
General Info: Collection Call Number: 20910.
Located at the New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections.

Worman, Edward (compiler). 66th New York at Cold Harbor, June 1-12, 1864, cross-referenced with NY Times newspaper list of June 7, 1864 Edward A. Worman, 2018.

Worman, Edward (compiler) 66th New York at Reams Station, VA, on August 25, 1864. New York: Edward A. Worman, 2018.

 

Unit bibliograhy from the Army Heritage Center

Items in the museum collection are in bold.