89th Infantry Regiment (Veteran)

Nickname: Dickinson Guard

Mustered in: December 4, 1861
Mustered out: August 3, 1865

The following is taken from New York in the War of the Rebellion, 3rd ed. Frederick Phisterer. Albany: J. B. Lyon Company, 1912. 
The Hon. J. S. Dickinson received authority, August 29, 1861, to recruit a regiment of infantry; this regiment was organized, under Col. Harrison S. Fairchild and Lieut-Col. J. C. Robie, at Elmira November 26, 1861, and there mustered in the service of the United States for three years December 4, 5 and 6, 1861. At the expiration of its term of enlistment those entitled thereto were mustered out, and the regiment retained in service.
The companies were recruited principally: A at Havana; B and H at Binghamton; C at Mount Morris; D at Rochester; E at Norwich and Oxford; F at Whitney's Point; G at Windsor; I at Delhi; and K at Corbettsville.
The regiment left the State December 6, 1861; served in the Provisional Brigade, Casey's Division, Army of the Potomac, from December, 1861; with General Burnside's Expeditionary Corps in North Carolina from January, 1862; in 4th Brigade, at Roanoke, N. C., from May, 1862; in 1st Brigade, 3d Division, 9th Corps, from July, 1862; in Suffolk, Department of Virginia, from April, 1863; in Alford's Brigade, Getty's Division, 7th Corps, Department of Virginia, from May, 1863; in same brigade, 2d Division, 18th Corps, in North Carolina, from July, 1863.; in same brigade, Vogdes' Division, 10th Corps, on Folly and Little Folly Islands, S. C., from October, 1863; in 1st Brigade, 2d Division, 10th Corps, Army of the James, from April, 1864; in the 1st Brigade, 2d Division, 18th Corps, from May 30, 1864; in the 3d Brigade, 2d Division, 18th Corps, from: June 24, 1864; in the 4th Brigade, 1st Division, 24th Corps, from December, 1864; in the 3d Brigade, 1st Division, 24th Corps, from May, 1865; in the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 24th Corps, from June, 1865; and it was honorably discharged and mustered out, August 3, 1865, commanded by Capt. Henry H. Epps, at Richmond, Va.
During its service the regiment lost by death, killed in action, 4 officers, 49 enlisted men; of wounds received in action, 2 officers, 52 enlisted men; of disease and other causes, 1 officer, 158 enlisted men; total, 7 officers, 259 enlisted men; aggregate, 266; of whom 13 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. 
Eighty-ninth Infantry.—Col., Harrison S. Fairchild; Lieut.-Cpls., Jacob C. Robie, Nathan Coryell, Theophilus L. England, Wellington M. Lewis, Henry C. Roome; Majs., Daniel T. Everts, Wellington M. Lewis, Henry C. Roome, Frank ; W. Tremain, Jeremiah Remington. The 89th, called the Dickinson Guard, and composed of companies from Havana, Binghamton, Mount Morris, Rochester, Norwich, Oxford, Whitney's Point, Delhi and Corbettsville, was mustered into the U. S. service at Elmira, Dec. 4 to 6, 1861, for three years. It left the state for Washington, Dec. 6, was stationed for a few weeks in the defenses of the capital in the provisional brigade, Casey's division, and in Jan., 1862, became a part of Burnside's expeditionary corps, with which it embarked for Roan-oke, N. C. In July, 1862, the regiment returned from Roanoke and with the 1st brigade, 3d division, 9th corps, participated in the Maryland campaign. It was active at South mountain, and at An-tietam lost 103 in killed, wounded and missing. It participated in the battle of Fredericksburg, went into winter quarters near Fal-mouth, and in April, 1863, was transferred to the Department of Virginia at Suffolk, where it was attached in May, to Alford's brigade, Getty's division, 7th corps. It was active during the siege of Suffolk and remained in that vicinity until July, when it was transferred to the 18th corps, proceeded to North Carolina, where it was assigned to the l0th corps and stationed at Folly island, S. C. The regiment was present at the siege of Fort Wagner and the following operations in Charleston harbor and returned to Virginia early in 1864. A large number of the men reenlisted and the veteran regiment became a part of the l0th corps, which was present . during May, 1864, at Swift creek, Proctor's creek, Drewry's bluff and Bermuda Hundred. At the end of that month the 89th was assigned to the 1st brigade, 2nd division, 18th corps and served in that corps until December. It lost heavily in the opening assault on Petersburg, where Lieut.-Col. England was killed, and also lost 139 in killed, wounded and missing at Fair Oaks in October. In December, the command was transferred to the 2nd division, 24th corps, with which it remained until the end of the war, sharing in the final assault on Petersburg and the pursuit of Lee's army to Appomattox. Maj. Tremain was mortally wounded April 2, 1865, in the assault on Petersburg. The 89th was mustered put at Richmond, Aug. 3, 1865, having lost during its term of service, 107 by death from wounds and 159 from other causes.

NYSMM Online Resources

Muster Roll

Unit Roster

Battles and Casualties -Table from Phisterer (PDF format)

Battles and Casualties -Table from Phisterer (MS Excel format)

Newspaper Clippings

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@mail.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.

Beers, William L. LeighColl Bk 10: 47 
(Enlisted man's letter, Jan 1, 1862)
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Bowker, George. George Bowker letters, 1862-1898.
Description: 1 box ; 27 x 31 x 6 cm.
Abstract: A majority of the correspondence reflects the personal and military activities of George Bowker and the 89th New York Volunteers during the American Civil War. The 89th New York fought in the eastern theater of the war, and Bowker mentions the Siege of Suffolk (April 11 - May 4, 1862) and the bombardment of Fort Sumter (August 17 - August 23, 1863). Included in the collection are the letters of Clara Bowker dating from 1897 to 1898. It is also important to note that many of the documents are in a deteriorated state due to exposure to mold. Transcripts of originals are available.
Note(s): Bio/History: George Bowker enlisted in the 89th Infantry Regiment, New York Volunteers, also known as the "Dickinson Guard", and is believed to have served as a private between the years of 1862 and 1863. 
General Info: Organization: Chronological arrangement./ Original or duplicate materials: State University of New York, College at Oswego Library. Special Collections.
Located in the Special Collections, Penfield Library, State University College, Oswego, New York, 13126-3514.

Broome County Military History Collection (Civil War), 1861-1979.
Description: 2.5 cubic ft.
Abstract: 89th N.Y. Volunteers material includes pension papers of Ichabod S. Reed and others; diaries of G. Dewitt Gilbert and Burton Hine; letters of George W. Draper; register of deaths, as of Jan. 1, 1865; and a list of members of Co. G, Captain Seymour L. Judd. Other items include a memorandum book; letters of Stuart H. Watrous; diaries of Henry Roudy, Jr. and Spencer H. Jasen, all of 137th N.Y. Volunteers. There are also copies of letters of Charles K. Crofut to his family in Colesville, 1861-62; lists of reunions of the 89th, 109th, and 137th Regiments; copies of surgeon's certificates for veterans of the 89th and 137th Regiments, 1906-09; typed history of the Starr Arms Company of Binghamton, manufacturer of guns during the war; typed paper by Charles L. English, 1968, including list of local men in the Civil War; charter of Vanderburg Post No.12, G.A.R., 1878; MS Report of Enlisted Men, 5th Regiment New York Cavalry, for detached Service, 1865; diary of Delia Judd, of Windsor; and miscellaneous clippings, maps, and pamphlets on the Civil War.
Located at the Old Stone House Museum, 10 Chestnut Street, Windsor, New York 13865.

Burt, Le Van Merchant. Le Van Merchant Burt family papers, [ca.1860-1924].
Description: 2 cubic ft.
Abstract: Letters and documents relating to the service of Burt's father, Captain Franklin Burt (1841-1924) in the 89th Regiment, New York Volunteers, including letters from family and friends in Corbettsville, New York, from other officers, and from pension authorities after the Civil War; also, diaries for 1861-63; and later letters regarding Burt's search for information on a brother killed in the war. There are letters from old comrades, war reminiscences, and a photograph of 89th survivors in 1914. Other papers relate to Burt's ownership of Calvert Tannery at Mannington, West Virginia; the Burt Oil Company of West Virginia and Kentucky; and the Burt Mines and Milling Company of Colorado, and include business letters, tanning contracts, stockholders' lists, scrapbooks, and photographs of mining operations. Other materials document his post of Masonic Grand Master of West Virginia, and his candidacy for governor on the Prohibition ticket in 1892, including manuscript temperance speeches. There is also a microfilm copy of Franklin Burt's autobiography.
Access: Materials specified: Finding aid http://resolver.library.cornell.edu/cgi-bin/EADresolver?id=RMM02327
Note(s): Reproduction: is on microfilm.
General Info: Original or duplicate materials: Original autobiography/ retained by donor./ Box list. Preferred citation: Le Van Merchant Burt, Compiler. Family Papers, #2327. 
Located at the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.

Civil War Collection, 1862-1914, 1862-1865. (bulk).
Description: 23 items
Abstract: Diaries of G. DeWitt Gilbert of Windsor, 89th New York Volunteers, 1863; Thomas McElroy of Pitcher, Chenango County, 114th New York Volunteers, 1863-64; Hazard P. Wiley, 7th New Jersey Volunteers, 1863, 1865; and Aaron W. Willson of Port Crane, 24th Army Corps, 1st Division, 4th Brigade, 1865. Letters of Stephen P. Andrews of Kirkwood; W.J. Race, 114th New York Volunteers; and John L. Broome III, who describes carrying the flag of truce at New Orleans, 1862. Also a pencil drawing of Camp Michigan, Annapolis Junction, Maryland; reminiscences of Belden Allen of the 40th New York Engineers, written c.1914; account book of Major H.G. Rogers, Binghamton City Guard; and other items.
Located at the New York State Historical Association, Library, Cooperstown, New York 13326.

Crofut-Humiston family. Papers, 1855-1862
27 pages.
Papers, 1855-1862, of the Crofut and Humiston families of Broome County, New York, including an account, correspondence, and poetry. Most of the collection consists of letters written by Charles K. Crofut (ca. 1838-1862) to his sister Almira Crofut (1832-1915), while he was serving with the 89th New York Infantry on Roanoke Island, North Carolina, and also in Washington, D.C. and near Harpers Ferry. Topics include health, impending battles, marches, duration of the war and his confidence in victory, pay, rations, and supplies. Crofut also writes about the collision of the steamers "West Point" and "George Peabody" on 13 August 1862, and his regiment's heavy fighting at the Battle of Sharpsburg.
Accession 50400. Located at the Library of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia.
Thank you to Ed Worman for pointing out this resource.

Draper, G. W. NorwichCWRTColl 
(Enlisted man's letters, May 4, 1862-Jun 6, 1864)
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

"The Eighty-ninth infantry at Fredericksburg. One hundred volunteers cross the Rappahan-nock in boats." Second Annual report of the State historian of New York, III 1897, p. 47-56.

Englis, George Magusta. This from George : the Civil War letters of Sergeant George Magusta Englis, 1861-1865, Company K, 89th New York Regiment of Volunteer Infantry known as Dickinson Guard. Binghamton, N.Y. Broome County Historical Society, 2001.
The 57 letters were transcribed and annotated by Eileen M. Patch, a descendant of the soldier's sister.

Griggs, G. W. NorwichCWRTColl 
(Sutler's memoirs, 1895)
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Henderson, Harvey. Diaries (Photocopy) (1861-1864).
Description: 1 box (.25 cu. ft.).
Abstract: Daily entries in these diaries provide detailed information on battles at South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and other campaigns in Virginia and South Carolina. Also includes details of being captured by the Confederates, confinement at Libby Prison, and subsequent escape. The original document is held by the Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Located at the New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections.

Hupman, George S. Civil War letters, 1861-1863 (inclusive).
Description: 12 items.
Abstract: Civil War letters sent to his mother and father (Hiram) of Windsor, Broome County, New York, including one letter written by Charles H. Hupman. The letters were sent from various locales, chiefly in Virginia and North Carolina.
Note(s): Includes typewritten transcripts./ Bio/History: Soldier, of Windsor, New York; served in Company G of the 89th Infantry Regiment, New York Volunteers.
General Info: Preferred citation: George S. Hupman. Civil War Correspondence. MC 141.
Located at the Special Collections and Archives, Rutgers University Libraries./ Acquired 1953./ Occupation: Soldiers/ New York/ Windsor.

Judd, Seymour L. NorwichCWRTColl 
(Capt's letter, Dec 2, 1861)
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Officer.s NorwichCWRTColl 
(Officers' letter to SEN Daniel Dickinson, Apr 24, 1863)
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Pearsall, T. H. NorwichCWRTColl
(Sgt's letters, Mar 6-Oct 17, 1862)
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Squire, Truman Hoffman. Truman Hoffman Squire papers, 1842-1903, 1861-1889 (bulk).
Description: 0.4 cubic ft.
Abstract: 1842 catalog from Fairfield Academy; certificates from the State of New York College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1847-48; and personal and medical correspondence, 1860-89. The bulk of the collection consists of papers, 1861-65, which relate to Squire's service as a military surgeon with the 89th Regiment during the Civil War, and include inventories of camp and medical supplies; requisition forms; casualty and transfer reports; and correspondence. Also a number of reports and notebooks written by Squire, 1853-c.1885, on various medical problems
Located at the Chemung County Historical Society, 304 William Street, Elmira, New York.

Taylor, Robert J. The Civil War Letters of William A. Robinson and the Story of the Eighty Ninth New York Volunteer Infantry. Bowie, MD: Heritage, 2000.

 

 

Items in the museum collection are in bold.