76th Infantry Regiment

Nickname: Cortland Regiment; Cherry Valley Regiment; Otsego County Regiment; Cromwellian Regiment

Mustered in: January 16, 1862
Mustered out by companies: July 1, 1864 to January 1,1865.

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

Colonel Nelson W. Green of Cortland received authority to recruit a regiment of infantry in Cortland county, and commenced recruiting September 2, 1861, receiving some men from the counties of Allegany and Yates. About the same time Gen. George E. Danforth received authority to recruit a regiment in the counties of Otsego and Schoharie, with headquarters at Cherry Valley, to which regiment the 39th Militia furnished a large number of men. These regiments were moved to Albany, and being below the minimum number, consolidated into one, the 76th Regiment, with N. W. Green as Colonel, January 14, 1862. Companies A, B, C, D, E, F and G were formed of eight companies of the Cortland Regiment, and H, I and K of four companies of the Cherry Valley Regiment. One company, I, of the Cortland Regiment, and the companies of Capts. Nicholas Hanson and Nelson S. Bowdish, of the Cherry Valley Regiment, were organized as a battery and assigned as Battery M to the 3d Artillery; Captain McNett's company of the Cortland Regiment was transferred to the 93d Infantry, December 28, 1861. The newly formed regiment contained also men from the counties, of Chenango, Madison, Tioga and Tompkins, and was mustered in the service of the United States for three years January 16, 1862. In May, 1863, it received the three years' men of the 24th and 30th Regiments of Infantry.
The regiment left the State January 17, 1862; served at and near Washington, D. C., in 3d Brigade, Casey's Division, Army of the Potomac, from January, 1862; in the Military district of Washington from March, 1862; in Doubleday's Brigade, Department Rappahannock, from May 21, 1862; in the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 3d Corps, Army of Virginia, from June 26, 1862; in the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Corps, Army of the Potomac, from September 12, 1862; in the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Corps, Army of the Potomac, from January 4, 1864; in the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Corps, Army of the Potomac, from March 6, 1864; in the 2d Brigade, 4th Division, 5th Corps, Army of the Potomac, from March 25, 1864; in the 3d Brigade, 2d Division, 5th Corps, from August, 1864; in the 3d Brigade, 3d Division, 5th Corps, Army of the Potomac, from September 1864. Companies B, F and K were honorably discharged and mustered out July 1, 1864; Company A October 11; G October 20; C November 8; E November 18; I December 1, 1864; H January 1, 1865; detachments of these companies and Company D remaining in the field were, under Capt. Albert J. Jarvis, transferred to the 147th N. Y. Volunteers January 28 and 31, 1865.
During its service the regiment lost by death, killed in action, 7 officers, 111 enlisted men; of wounds received in action, 5 officers, 52 enlisted men; of disease and other causes, 1 officer, 165 enlisted men; total, 13 officers, 328 enlisted men; aggregate, 341; of whom 56 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. 

Seventy-sixth Infantry.—Cols., Nelson W. Green, W. P. Wain-wright, Charles E. Livingston; Lieut.-Cols., John D. Shaul, Charles E. Livingston, Andrew J. Grover, John E. Cook, Charles A. Wat-kins; Majs., Charles E. Livingston, Andrew J. Grover, John E. Cook, John W. Young. The 76th, the "Cortland Regiment," recruited principally in Cortland and Otsego counties, was mustered into the U. S. service at Albany, Jan. 16, 1862, for three years. It left the state the next day for Washington, was assigned to the 3d brigade of Casey's division and served in the vicinity of Washington during the first winter. It suffered its first severe loss at Manassas in Aug., 1862, when it served with the 2nd brigade, 1st division, 3d corps, losing in the several engagements of Gen. Pope's campaign, 147 in killed, wounded and missing. It was active at South mountain and Antietam, its brigade and division having been assigned to the 1st corps, with which it accompanied the cavalry advance through Philomont, Union and Upperville, Va. It participated in the battle of Fredericksburg, went into winter quarters near Fal-mouth and during the Chancellorsville movement, lost 3 men while guarding bridges. At Gettysburg the regiment took a prominent part and suffered the loss of 234 in killed, wounded and missing. Previous to this battle the ranks had been reinforced by the addition of the veterans and recruits of the 24th and 30th N. Y. infan-try, but after Gettysburg they were again sadly thinned. The regiment participated in the Mine Run fiasco, and at Brandy Station in Jan., 1864, was transferred to the 1st brigade of the same division, returning to its old brigade in March, and was later assigned to the 2nd brigade, 4th division, 5th corps, and broke camp in April for the Wilderness campaign, in which it suffered its greatest loss during the first two days—282 killed, wounded or missing. It continued to see hard service at Spottsylvania, the North Anna, Toto-potomoy, Cold Harbor and Petersburg, where it took part in the siege operations until the end of its term of service. It was mustered out by companies, July I, Oct. II and 20, Nov. 8 and 18, Dec. 1, 1864, and Jan. 1, 1865, the veterans and recruits being transferred to the 147th N. Y. infantry. The regiment lost during its term of service 175 by death from wounds and 166 by death from accident, imprisonment or disease, of whom 56 died in imprisonment. It ranks among the "three hundred fighting regiments."

76thInfReg02.125.jpg

76th Regiment NY Volunteer Infantry | Regimental Color | Civil War

S.R. Campbell, on behalf of his mother, Mrs. Samuel Campbell of New York Mills, presented a stand of colors, believed to have included this flag, to…

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Battles and Casualties from Phisterer (pdf)
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Muster Roll

Unit Roster

Newspaper Clippings

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.

Blodgett, Alonzo. Civil War Miscellaneous Collection
(Enlisted man, Byron Mudge's letter to Adjutant of 42 NY Militia, Dec 23, 1861)
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Blodgett, Hiram. Correspondence (1861-1863)
Description: 8 Items
Abstract: Letters received by Blodgett from military officials concerning the proper procedures for enlisting and mustering in soldiers.
Located at the New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections.

Burnham, Uberto Adalbert. Papers (1857-1928)
Description: 2 boxes (.75 cu. ft.).
Abstract: These papers are comprised chiefly of letters sent to Burnham's parents with details of action he witnessed at 2nd Battle of Bull Run, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. Also includes many anecdotes about political and military leaders. Other papers include pocket diaries for 1863 and 1864 and a financial account book for equipment and supplies purchased by the 76th Regiment.
Located at the New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections.

Callihan, David L. "Among the Bravest of the Brave: Maj. Andrew Jackson Grover of the 76th New York." Gettysburg Magazine 32 (January 2005) 49-51.

Carlile, Rick; et al. "Three Days in July." Military Images. 38 :3 (213) Summer 2020. 24-39.

Clarke, Martin. [Diary and letters of Martin Clark].
Clark was from Mitchellsville, Steuben County, N.Y., who volunteered to join the 76th Regiment in July, 1863, and then served with the UInion Army through the final battle at Appomattox Courthouse.
Located at the Steuben County Historical Society located on West Morris St., Bath, N. Y.  
Resource suggested by G. A. Mathewson, Esq.

Cole, Charles P. "An Editor's Errand." Civil War Times Illustrated. 38 :6 December, 1999. 26-?.

Cox, Abraham F. Civil War Miscellaneous Collection
(Playwright's story of regt, 1937)
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

"The Cromwellian Regiment. Magnificent Present from Mrs. Samuel Campbell." Utica Daily Observer, January 7, 1862.
In vertical file.

Fitts, Charles T. Charles T. Fitts papers, 1862-1971 (bulk 1862-1865).
Description:    140 items. 29 digital files (26.4 MB). 1 container plus digital files. 0.2 linear feet.
Abstract:    Chiefly correspondence of Fitts during his Civil War service in the 76th and 179th New York infantry regiments, U.S. Army, relating chiefly to his service prior to any major military action. Includes correspondence of his brother, Henry W. Fitts, while serving in the 143rd New York Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army, written from before his enlistment to his participation on the battlefield in Tennessee and Virginia. Subjects includes battles, camp life, deserters, family life in Dryden, N.Y., medical care, and Henry's death at Lookout Valley, Tenn., in 1864. Also includes Strong family correspondence following Charles's marriage to Mary Frances Strong, genealogical information pertaining to the Fitts and Strong families, a photocopy of a handwritten memoir, printed matter including two pieces of Confederate currency, and photocopies and digital copies of family photographs.
Held by The Library of Congress

Grover, Andrew, Lt. Col. Civil War Roundtable. 76th New York State Volunteers "The Cortland Regiment." https://www.76nysv.us/

Graham, Robert H., b. 1865. Yates County's "boys in blue", 1861-1865 : who they were, what they did. Penn Yan, N.Y. s.n, 1926.

Hall, E. George. Civil War diary, 1903.
Description: 2 v. (192 leaves) ; 22 cm
Abstract: Holograph transcription of E. George Hall's Civil War diary transcribed by Hall in 1903 for his daughter Luretta M. Harkness. The first dated entry is for 16 Jan. 1862; the last is 13 April 1863. The first twelve and a half leaves of v. 1 are in the form of a letter addressed to Hall's daughter. They recount his days in training at Camp Campbell. The first 13 and last 75 leaves of v. 2 appear to be a recollection of Civil War events from Hall's perspective in 1903. A microfilm of the diary is available for researchers.
Note(s): Bio/History: Second lieutenant in the New York 76th Infantry Regiment, which trained at Camp Campbell, near Cortland, N.Y.
General Info: Researchers must use the microfilm version. Preferred citation: 
Located at Mandeville Special Collections Library, UCSD.

?, Henry. Letter,1862 January 8, Camp Rathbone, Albany, NY [to] Brother Ralph, 1862.
Description:    2 pages ; 28 cm
Abstract:    Civil War era letter from Camp Rathbone, Albany, NY written to Brother Ralph, describing training camp with the 76th New York Infantry and a fight over bad food.
Held by Bowling Green State University

Hofmann, John William, 1824-1902. Remarks on the battle of Gettysburg: Operations on the right of the First corps, Army of the Potomac. First day of the fight. Philadelphia: A.W. Auner, printer, 1880.

Krumwiede, John J. "Sergeant Edgar D. Haviland of the 76th New York Described the Horrors of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg to his Mother." America's Civil War (Nov 2000) 18 ff. (5 pages).

Lacey, George.Civil War Miscellaneous Collection
(Enlisted man's letters, Dec 1861-Dec 1865)
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Marsh, Washington. Washington Marsh diaries,1861-1897.
Description: 37 v.
Abstract: Diaries describe in subjective detail his experiences in the 76th Regiment, New York Volunteers, and the 17th New York Cavalry during the Civil War, when stationed at Camp Rathbone, Albany, New York, and elsewhere. Later diaries describe the hardships of a farmer and logger on Class 1 land in Tioga County. Also, volumes of biblical texts, spelling words, and an account book.
General Info: Preferred citation: Washington Marsh diaries, #1004. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.

Mathewson, George A. A boy named Martin Lake George, NY: Crystal Bay Publishing, 2014.

McLean, James L. Cutler's Brigade at Gettysburg. Baltimore, Md. Butternut and Blue, 1987.

Montieth, Robert, “The Battle of the Wilderness and the Death of General Wadsworth.” War Papers. Read Before the Commandery of the State of Wisconsin, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Published by the Commandery. Volume 1, Milwaukee: Burdick, Armitage & Allen 1891. p. 410-415.

Murray, R. L. First on the field: Cortland's 76th and Oswego's 147th New York State Volunteer Regiments at Gettysburg. Wolcott, NY: Benedum Books, c1998.

New York Infantry, 76th Regt., 1862-1864. Proceedings of the 76th New York Infantry, at the dedication of the battle monument at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 1888 Cortland, NY: Daily Message Print. 1889.

Northrop, John Worrell. Chronicles from the diary of a war prisoner in Andersonville and other military prisons of the South in 1864 ... by John Worrell Northrop, formerly Seventy-sixth New York. Wichita, Kansas: [Wining printery], 1904.

Northrop, John Worrell.  Diary, 1864 May 3-November 23.
Description:    0.2 linear ft. (2 volumes)
Abstract:    Detailed account of Northrop's battle experiences, capture, and confinement at Andersonville Prison in Georgia.
Held by Western Reserve Historical Society.

[Mrs. Rexford Oriel Collection, 1835-1870].
Description:    5 folders
Abstract:    Photocopies of Kellogg family letters, include Civil War correspondence between Leander Kellogg and his parents, 1861-1865, while enlisted in New York 76th Infantry. Two letters written by Isaac McCullouogh, Berlin, Michigan, 1863-1864.
Held by Western Michigan University.

Parsons. Letter, undated.
Photocopied letter available in vertical file at Military Museum.

Partridge Family. Civil War Miscellaneous Collection
(Dr's letters, 1863-65)
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Pratt, Franklin Fayette. Franklin Fayette Pratt papers.
Description:    .1 cubic feet.
Abstract:    Family letters regarding the Civil War and family life in Homer, New York. Also, "Pratt-Brayton: A Genealogy of the Descendants of Joshua Pratt... Also a Later Genealogy of the Thomas Brayton Family Whose Daughter Married Franklin Fayette Pratt of Homer N.Y." compiled 1978 by Fred S. Hollenbeck and Elizabeth Pratt Goodwin, revised 1993 by Elizabeth Pratt Goodwin, Margaret Lear Terrell, and Donald Leon Terrell.
Held by Cornell University

Richardson, Charles. Story of a Private, narrative of experiences in Rebel prisons and stockades, read before E. B. Wolcott post no. 1, Milwaukee, November 27, 1896. Milwaukee: [George Richardson, printer], 1897.

Roth, Richard. "Away Amongst Strangers": The Civil War letters and family history of Aaron M. Cutler, Battery A, First New York Light Artillery and Stephen Tillinghast Spaulding, Company G, 140th New York Volunteer Infantry, Army of the Potomac. Chicora, PA: Mechling Bookbindery, 2007.

Sager, Aaron, et al. Sager brothers Civil War letters, 1861-1863.
Description:    7 items.
Abstract:    The artistically talented Sager brothers, Aaron and George J. wrote to each other and family members concerning their service in the Federal army. All but one of the letters are illustrated with pen-and-ink sketches of scenes they describe. Topics include "free speeche choked down" by a mob in Syracuse and "Susan and May Quelon" hung in effigy, 1861 January 31; camp life and a contraband boy named "Bubby," 1862 February 22; southern sympathizing children and local African Americans with "souls and feelings," in Fredericksburg, 1862 June 10; contraband at Fort Slocum; civilians near Leesburg, Va., including women smoking pipes and chewing tobacco, and the execution of three deserters, 1863 June 22; bolting horse causing an accident, no date; and camp life at headquaters near Lookout Mountain including half rations, and lazy "sesesh," 1863 December 13.
Held by the University of Virginia

Smith, Abram P. History of the Seventy-sixth regiment, New York volunteers, what it endured and accomplished, containing descriptions of its twenty-five battles, its marches, its camp and bivouac scenes, with biographical sketches of fifty-three officers, and a complete record of the enlisted men, by A. P. Smith, late First Lieutenant and Q.M. Cortland. Syracuse: [Syracuse, Truair, Smith & Miles, printers], 1867.

Smith, A.P. BrakeColl 
(Hist & roster of unit, 1867; Pvt Franklin F. Prates letter, Jul 4, 1863)
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Smith, Newton. Letters (1861-1864).
Description: 7 items.
Abstract: Letters sent to Smith's brother, Asa Smith, from various army camps in Virginia. He wrote about his experiences of life in camp, involvement in skirmishes with Confederate soldiers, and being paroled after his release from a Confederate prison.
Located at the New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections.

Squires, Dann C. and Franklin Squires. Diaries of Dann C. Squires and Franklin Squires, 1854-1886.
Description:    3 volumes ; 33 cm
Abstract:    Diaries of Dann C. Squires, 1854-1865, and Franklin Squires, 1883-1886, of Lapeer, N.Y. Dann Squires diaries contain brief daily notes concerning his activities as lawyer, farmer, supervisor of the county school system, justice of the peace, associate judge of the circuit court, and member of New York State Assembly. Most entries concern Squires' farm, but they also describe interviewing teachers for positions at schools, drawing up deeds and contracts for local people, enlisting volunteers for the 76th Regiment, performing marriage ceremonies, and sentencing people for their crimes. Franklin Squires diary contains daily notes about his farm as well as recording money received and spent. He is equally concerned with the health and well-being of his wife, Kittie, and his two sons Carl and Clifford. He mentions social gatherings and any other noteworthy incidents of his day. He often travels to Marathon, Cortland, and Syracuse. He also notes some financial dealings of his sister, Lovina.|
Held by the Fenimore Art Museum

Stahl, Joseph. "Final Furlogh: A private at Second Bull Run." Civil War Historian. 3:1 (January/February 2007) D5.

"Taps is sounded for comrade Bradley." [San Jose] Mercury News. April, 1914.
Located in vertical files at the Museum.

Wales, Robert. Robert Wales Civil War scrapbook.
Description:    2 boxes; 31 x 38 x 8 cm. each.
Abstract:    Loose board pages from a scrapbook of miscellaneous items relating to the U.S. Civil War, compiled by Robert Wales. Contains a list of battles in which the 76th New York State Volunteer Regiment participated, an honor roll of the regiment, and brief biographies of some of its members. The rest of the collection is national in scope, containing two series of Gettysburg postcards, black and white sketches from Ulysses S. Grant's military career, a series of color pictures of Civil War scenes, sketches and photographs of generals from New York State, and newspaper clippings relating to the war.
Held by the Fenimore Art Museum

Wolcott, Walter, 1859. The military history of Yates County, N.Y.: comprising a record of the services rendered by citizens of this county in the army and navy, from the foundation of the government to the present time. Penn Yan, N.Y. Express Book and Job Print. House, 1895.

 

Unit bibliograhy from the Army Heritage Center

Items in the museum collection are in bold.