107th Infantry Regiment

Nickname: Campbell Guards

Mustered in: August 13,1862
Mustered out: June 5,1865

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

July 18, 1862, Gen. Robert B. Van Valkenburgh was authorized, as Colonel, to recruit this regiment in the counties of Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben; it was organized at Elmira, and there mustered in the service of the United States for three years August 13, 1862. On December 9, 1863, Companies B, C, I and K of the 145th Infantry were transferred to the regiment. The men not entitled to be mustered out with the regiment were, June 5, 1865, transferred to the 60th Infantry.
The companies were recruited principally: A, B, C, D and E at Elmira; F at Addison, Cameron and Campbell; G at Elmira, Bath and Hammondsport; H at Havana and Elmira; I at Corning, Wayland and West Union; and K at Hornellsville, Howard, Elmira and Canisteo.
The regiment left the State August 13, 1862; served in Whipple's Division, Defenses of Washington, D. C., from August, 1862; in 3d Brigade, 1st Division, 12th Corps, Army of the Potomac, from September 12, 1862; in 2d Brigade, same division and corps, from August, 1863; in same brigade and division, 20th Corps, Army of the Cumberland, from April, 1864; and it was honorably discharged and mustered out, under Col. Nirom M. Crane, June 5, 1865, near Washington, D. C.
During its service the regiment lost by death, killed in action, 2 officers, 50 enlisted men; of wounds received in action, 2 officers, 36 enlisted men; of disease and other causes, 131 enlisted men; total, 4 officers, 217 enlisted men; aggregate, 221; of whom 3 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. 

One Hundred and Seventh Infantry.—Cols., Robert B. Van Val-kenburgh, Alexander S. Diven, Nirom M. Crane; Lieut.-Cols., Alexander S. Diven, Gabriel L. Smith, Newton T. Colby, William F. Fox, Lathrop Baldwin, Allen S. Sill; Majs., Gabriel L. Smith, Newton T. Colby, William F. Fox, Lathrop Baldwin, Allen S. Sill, Charles J. Fox. This regiment, known as the Campbell Guards, was recruited in the counties of Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben, rendezvoused at Elmira, and was there mustered into the U. S. service for three years, Aug. 13, 1862. It was a fine regiment, noted for its efficiency and discipline, the first regiment from the North organized under the second call, and the first to arrive at Washington, in acknowledgment of which it received a banner from the state and a personal visit from the president. It was raised by two patriotic Members' of the legislature, Robert: B. Van Valkenburg, and Alexander S. Diven, who became colonel and lieutenant-colonel, respectively. It left the state on Aug. 13, 1862; was stationed in the defenses of Washington for a month; was then assigned to the 1st division (Williams), 12th corps (Mansfield), and fought its first battle at Antietam, where it was heavily engaged, losing 63 in killed, wounded and missing. The veteran Gen. Mansfield fell, mortally wounded at Antietam, and Gen. Henry W. Slocum succeeded to the command of the corps. The regiment was again heavily engaged at the disastrous battle of Chancellorsville, where the brunt of the fighting fell on the 3d and 12th corps, and lost in this action 83 killed, wounded and missing, among the killed being Capt. Nathaniel E. Rutter. The regiment was only slightly en-gaged at Gettysburg, and after the battle joined with its corps in pursuit of Lee into Virginia, engaging without loss at Jones' cross-roads and near Williamsport, Md. In September it was ordered with the corps to Tennessee to reinforce Rosecrans, and was stationed along the railroad from Murfreesboro to Bridgeport. In April, 1864, the 12th corps was changed to the 20th, but Williams' division retained its red star. On Dec. 9, 1863, four cos. of the 145th were transferred to the 107th, and in May the regiment moved on the Atlanta campaign. It fought at Resaca, Cassville, and Dallas, and lost 26 killed and 141 wounded at New Hope Church. From June 9 to July 2 it was engaged about Kennesaw mountain; fought at Peachtree creek and took part in the siege of Atlanta; moved in November on Sherman's march to the sea; then took part in the final campaign of the. Carolinas, being engaged at Rock-ingham, Fayetteville, Averasborp (where it lost 46 killed, wounded and missing), Bentonville, .Raleigh and Bennett's house. It was mustered out near Washington, D. C., under Col. Crane, June 5, 1865, having lost during its term of service 4 officers and 87 enlisted men, killed and died of wounds; 131 enlisted men died of disease, accidents, in prison, etc., total deaths, 222.

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

Search the Museum catalog for this unit

Click Here

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.

"An Elmiran excited." : and On the road to Gettysburg." Neighbor’s Home Mail. January 1876/1877. 53.

Beal, Caleb H.  Papers, 1861-1865.
Ninety-five letters of Caleb Hadley Beal detailing his Civil War service with the New York Infantry Regiment, 14th Volunteers and the 107th Volunteers and the 35th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. Letters describe routine of camp life, movement, morale, and discipline of troops, and the battles of First and Second Bull Run, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, South Mountain, and the Siege of Petersburg.
Located at the Massachusetts Historical Society.

Bonner, James C. "Sherman at Milledgeville in 1864." The Journal of Southern History. 22 :3 Aug., 1956.

Brandt, Nat. Mr. Tubbs' Civil War. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 1996.

Brockway, Andrew. Letters, 1862-1864.
A group of letters written by Andrew Brockway to his siblings in which he discussed his soldiering activities and experiences. Like many Civil War letters he described camp life and the routine of drill and training exercises. Also, the fear of what the future beheld was well conveyed as death often appeared imminent from disease or battle. In addition, there are some interesting comments about Copperheads, who he believed were responsible for the low morale and desertions among Union soldiers. This record group also includes a letter from John N. Bonney of the same regiment regarding the death of Andrew Brockway in battle.
Located at the New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections.

Chisholm, Daniel and Connie Reuning Lafley. The Diary of Charles J. Marble, 107th New York Volunteer Infantry Company F : March 1864 to May 1865. [80] p.
Located at the State Library of Pennsylvania.

Colby, Newton T. and William E. Hughes (ed.). The Civil War Papers of Lt. Colonel Newton T. Colby, New York Infantry. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, 2003.

Crane, William. [Report.]
After-action report written by Wm Crane, Col, 107th NY Volunteers that detailed their operations during the campaign April thru August 1864.  His report is dated September 8, 1864 and is from Headquarters 107th NY Volunteers, Atlanta, GA.
Located at the National Archives in the casualty lists of the unit, tucked in amongst the lists.
Resource submitted by Steve Kuhler.

Edgerton, William W. William W. Edgerton Civil War letters, 1862-1865.
Description:    .75 linear ft
Abstract:    The William W. Edgerton collection is composed of personal correspondence between Civil War private William Wilberforce Edgerton of the 107th New York Volunteers and his immediate family. Most of the letters are between William W. Edgerton and his mother, Dorothy Doud Edgerton. Additional correspondents include his brother, John Howard Edgerton, and his sisters, Martha Newton and Augusta Tenney. The correspondence is arranged chronologically. Following it are some battle diaries kept by William Edgerton, and some other miscellaneous items. Note: Locations have been noted exactly as written even though obviously misspelled, e.g. staford for Stafford and corthouse for Courthouse.
Located at the University of Houston

Farr, George R. Lincoln's banner regiment : the 107th New York Volunteer Infantry.Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland et Company, Inc., Publishers 2023

Graham, Hugh. William Graham and the American Civil War.
Available online at: https://wmgrahamcivilwarletters.blogspot.com/2018/11/discovering-william-graham.html

Graham, William. William Graham Letters, 1862 - 1864.
16 letters, most with envelopes. A group of sixteen letters written by William Graham (b. c1836) as a member of Co. B, 107th New York Infantry. Graham was born in Ireland, and worked as a farm laborer in Schuyler County, New York prior to the war. Most of his period of service (August 1862 to June 1865) was spent as a corporal. Twelve of the letters are addressed to Graham's unmarried sister Elizabeth (b. c1841), a domestic in Schuyler County. The 107th New York served in the Army of the Potomac (12th Corps) to October 1863, and thereafter in the Army of the Cumberland (12th and 20th Corps). Five of the letters were written from the Eastern theater, September 1862 to March 1863; most of the content is personal, or news of camp life. The remainder were written from Tennessee and Georgia, October 1863 to October 1864; during this period the regiment performed guard duty on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, served in the Atlanta campaign, and occupied the city of Atlanta. Two Atlanta campaign letters (21 May and 18 July 1864) include substantial military content. And in a long letter of 7 September 1864 Graham writes of his support for Lincoln and the government, and of his contempt for "a stinkin aristocersy of Slave holders." MSN/CW 5064-1 to MSN/CW 5064-16.
Located at The University of Notre Dame.
Thank you to Chris Tweed for pointing out this resource.

Hill, John D. Civil War Miscellaneous Collection 
(Enlisted man's letters, Jul 3, 1862-Jan 28, 1864)
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Hoar, Victor M. "Sketches of Elmira's 107th infantry regiment." Chemung historical journal. 5:3 (March, 1960) 67-81.

Kinney, Samuel. Samuel Kinney papers, 1862-1866.
Description:    1.0 folder
Language:    English
Abstract:    The collection consists of correspondence from and documents regarding Sgt. Samuel Kinney, 107th New York Infantry. The majorities of the correspondence are from Kinney, in the field and at the front, to his family, but also included are correspondence written after Kinney's death. The collection also includes a sheet providing historical information and background on the event.
Located at the University of Georgia.

Lockwood, Dunning K. HCWRTColl 
(Enlisted man's diary, Feb 12-Dec 14, 1864)
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Marble, Charles J. Civil War Miscellaneous Collection 
(Cpl's diary, Mar 6, 1864-May 27, 1865; Biog info)
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Pennsylvania Commandery. In memoriam : Edwin Gould Fay, brevet captain, United States volunteers. Died at Philadelphia, Pa., June 12, 1902. 
Description:    1 folded sheet (3 pages) ; 21 cm

Orr, John. John Orr papers, 1860-1918 (bulk 1860-1865).
Description:    0.5 cu. ft
Abstract:    The John Orr papers consist primarily of material relating to Orr's Civil War military service. Seven diaries span the years from 1860 to 1865. The first two recount Orr's arrival in Jackson Co., Missouri, his search for and acquisition of a teaching job, the brewing of secessionist sentiments in Missouri, and Orr's decision to return to Addison in May of 1861. The remaining diaries cover Orr's departure from home, marches, skirmishes and battles, difficulties finding good water, and other elements of his daily life as a soldier, as well as part of his march home. He describes his feelings of anxiety as he approaches the enemy for the first time, and the participation of his regiment in the battles of Gettysburg, Antietam, and Chancellorsville. Also included are official papers relating to Orr's war experience and his pension. There are 16 muster rolls, 1862-1865, 3 muster-out rolls, 1863-1864, one record of clothing issued to Capt. James Mile Co., Orr's certificates of entry into the regiment and honorable discharge, his marriage contract to Melissa Kinne, 1863, and records of Orr's leave of absence for disability, 1864.
Located at the Fenimore Art Museum.

Peery, Charles V. Charles V. Peery collection, 1863-1865.
Description:    0.650 cubic ft. (223 items) (3 items)
Abstract:    Collection includes invoices, receipts, and lists of clothing, camp, and garrison equipage. Orders from headquarters in New Bern, N.C., include authorization of the resumption of target practice and promotion announcements. Also includes orders from the War Department announcing the death of President Abraham Lincoln and directing the disposition of all United States troops, certificates granting permission to induct youth into the army, a list of minors in "Company A," a small number of final statements of deceased soldiers, and instruction manuals. Of particular significance is a volume maintained by Lt. Edward R. Haight of the 107th Regiment of New York Volunteers, which is a register of ships entering and leaving the ports of Savannah, Ga., and Morehead City, N.C., and pertains directly to the logistics of supplying William T. Sherman's forces from the coast during his march through the Carolinas. Official correspondence and orders for the blockade of Wilmington, N.C., includes letters from officers on the scene as well as orders and instructions from Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles, President Lincoln, and others. Also included is a detailed description of the deployment of the Union blockaders off the Cape Fear River.
Located at East Carolina University.

Sheldon, Phoebe and Rufus Harnden. Rufus : A boy's extraordinary experiences in the Civil War. Brook Hollow Press, 2018.

Tomlinson, Gerald. The 107th New York Regiment at Antietam. Lake Hopatcong, N.J. : Home Run Press, 2001. 20 p. : ill., map.

Towner, Ausburn, 1836-1909. "Military Affairs in the County." Our county and its people : a history of the valley and county of Chemung, from the closing years of the eighteenth century. Syracuse, N.Y. D. Mason & Co. 1892. 199 - 277.

Tuttle, Russell M., 1840-1908. The Civil War journal of Lt. Russell M. Tuttle, New York Volunteer Infantry. Jefferson, N.C. McFarland & Co., 2006.

Vanaucken, William E. William E. Vanaucken Letter, 1863 : 107th New York Volunteer Infantry.

Weller, Edwin. A Civil War courtship, the letters of Edwin Weller from Antietam to Atlanta. Edited by William Walton. Garden City, NY: Doubleday & co., 1980.

Young, John M. The John M. Young collection, 1862-1863. 
Collection consists of 41 letters written on 44 sheets of paper, along with 14 envelopes, and 3 other documents. The letters range in date from May 1, 1862 to July 28, 1863. The unassociated envelopes and miscellaneous documents are undated. 58 items.
Located at the State University of New York at Binghamton.

 

Unit bibliography from the Army Heritage Center

Items in the museum collection are in bold.