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.

"117th Volunteer Infantry Regiment Collection." Hamilton College Library. Available online at: https://cwl.dhinitiative.org/islandora/search/117th?type=dismax (Link opens new window)

Boody family. Boody and Mowers family papers, 1856-1915.
Description:    .3 cubic ft.
Abstract:    Civil war letters of Hezekiah Mowers, 117th Regiment, New York Volunteers (1863) and letters about farm life and family affairs in upstate New York and Midwestern towns. Also, eight Civil War printed items.
Located at Cornell University.

Brown, Lorenzo Peleg and George W. Green. Lorenzo Peleg Brown letters. 1862-1865.
Abstract:    Letters written home during the Civil War by a soldier serving in the 117th New York Volunteers. Includes a few letters written to Brown and members of the Brown family by another soldier in the same unit, George W. Greene.
Located at the United State Military Academy at West Point.

Civil War roster list of Co. K, 117th Regiment, NYV : enlistments from townships of Augusta, Kirkland, Marshall & Remsen.
[5] pages ; 28 cm.
Located at the Mid-New York Library System

Clark, Linus R. Letter, 20 June 1864.
4 pages.
Letter, 20 June 1864, from Linus R. Clark (1837-1900), 117th New York Infantry, at Bermuda Hundred to his wife Mary A. Clark (1839-1936) regarding the assault and capture of Petersburg Heights.
Accession 40276. Located at the Library of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia.
Thank you to Ed Worman for pointing out this resource.

Complete roster of the 117th N.Y. volunteers (Fourth Oneida county regiment), revised April 1, 1914, with a brief historical sketch, giving the name of every one enlisting in the Regiment, the address of survivors, and the date of death of all deceased members so far as can be ascertained. Compiled and published by James J. Guernsey of "E" company. Rome: [1914].

Culver, Milton H. Echoes of sparks from the camp fire of the 117th N.Y. volunteers, from 1862 to 1865, relating a few historical, truthful, thrilling and mirthful incidents as gleaned from the diary of Sergeant M. H. Culver, of E Co. Rome: Guernsey, printer [1917].
Located at the New York Historical Society, New York, NY.

Daboll, Sherman B. Sherman B. Daboll letters, 1865.
Abstract:    Letter from Sherman B. Daboll to his father, George W. Daboll, dated Head Quarters 117th NYS Vols Camp near Fort Fisher N.C. February 10, 1865. Daboll discusses daily life at the fort including fatigue and picket duty and troop movements.
Located at the New York Historical Society.

Erwin, Augustus M. Address. Speech made at the National Encampments of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) at their twenty-first meeting on September 11, 1888.
Some of his recollections of the Civil War are noted in his hand-written draft.
Online access at: sunsite.utk.edu/civil-war/Erwin_Speech.html 

Fairhead, George B. George B. Fairhead. Diaries,1864-1865. 
Civil War diaries of George B. Fairhead of New York Mills, who served with the 117th Infantry, New York Volunteers, (4th Oneida). 2 v. 
Located at the Oneida Historical Society, 318 Genesee Street, Utica, New York 13502.

Fairhead, George B. Photograph of Civil War veteran George B. Fairhead. 1915. 
Photograph of George B. Fairhead, who served with Company D, 117th New York Infantry Regiment during the Civil War and was active in the Grand Army of the Republic as a veteran. Fairhead, born in England, came to New York in 1840 and remained a resident of that state the rest of his life. He worked as a minister in the northern part of the state following the war and served as chaplain for the G.A.R. Department of New York. He spent the final years of his life at the Utica City Home for Aged Men and Couples, part of Faxton Hospital. The photograph shows a bust view of an aged and bearded Fairhead in civilian suit. He signed his name and dated the bottom of the photograph on the front. On the back, he wrote a short paragraph praising Faxton Hospital and criticizing the lack of a "Soldier Home" in Oneida County, New York. 0.1 linear ft. (1 folder). 
Located at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center Page.

Foote, John B. Correspondence,1862-1865.
New York: Oneida County; Utica. Letters to family members dating from Foote's entry into the army until his discharge. Topics including training around Washington, D.C., service at Suffolk, Petersburg, and Richmond, Va., and Folly and Charleston, S.C.; the capture of Fort Fisher; convalescence in military hospitals near Wilmington and New Bern, N.C.; camp life; confiscation of southern property; conscription of blacks; desertion; disease; health conditions; furloughs; morale; morals; prisoners; and transportation. There are a few letters from a cousin, Daniel P. Sanford, also a Union soldier, while camped at New Bern and Carolina City, N.C., relating to camp life and low pay. 86 items. 
Located at Duke University.

Grant, H. Dwight. H. Dwight Grant diary, 1864 May 1-1864 December 23, 1864.
Description:    1 volume (130 pages)
Abstract:    Diary, 1864 May 1-1864 Dec. 23, kept by H. Dwight Grant (b. 1833) from his capture and detention at Libby Prison until his discharge at Baltimore.
Located at the New York Historical Society.

Grosjean, Dewitt. Letters. 
Transcribed and donated by Brian Grosjean.

Guernsey, James J.,ed. Complete roster of the 117th N.Y. volunteers. (Fourth Oneida county regiment) With a brief historical sketch. Rome, N.Y.: J.J. Guernsey, 1914. 56 p. 17 cm. 
Located at the New York Public Library, New York, NY.

Herner, Charles E. (aka Hevener) Charles E. Herner (aka Hevener) Letters, 1864 : 117th New York Volunteer Infantry. 
Obtained from http://www.soldierstudies.org/

Hubbard, George A.  George A. Hubbard papers, 1862-1865. 
The collection consists of letters, diaries, notes and carte-de-visite photographs, mainly recording George A. Hubbard's Civil War service in the 117th New York Infantry from 1862-1865. Hubbard's diary for 1861 describes his daily life in Sauquoit (Oneida County), New York. His letters, all addressed to his parents, and his remaining diaries, provide detailed description of his daily activities in military service, from camp life to battles. Also present are Hubbard's notes and those of later researchers, and five carte-de-visite photographs of men in military uniform, all identified, three of whom served in the 117th Infantry. 8 linear foot (2 boxes). 
Located at the New York Public Library, New York, NY.

Humphrey, John. Journal of John Humphrey, April 1863 - January 15, 1865, New York Infantry.
Available online at: http://elib.hamilton.edu/hc/hc-main.php?id=col_spe-civ-for&c=civ_for (Link opens new window)

Jackson, Harry F. and Thomas F. O'Donnell. Back Home in Onieda: Hermon Clarke and His Letters. Syracuse: Syracuse University Press, 1965.

Kendall, David Walbridge, et al. David Walbridge Kendall papers, 1862-1865, 1891-1924, and 1932-1976.
Description:    12 linear ft
Abstract:    Personal and autobiographical materials; correspondence, 1932-1976; copies of outgoing responses made as special counsel to the president; speeches, articles, scrapbooks, and clippings pertaining to his career and to his political and civic interests; Amtrak files, including memos and minutes of the board of incorporators, also copies of Civil War correspondence of his uncle Austin J. Kendall, 1862-1865, and papers of his father, educator Calvin Kendall, ca. 1890-ca. 1917; and photographs. Subjects covered in the correspondence include state and national Republican party campaigns, notably Kendall's support of Arthur Vandenberg for president from 1936 to 1948.
Located at the University of Michigan.

Kennedy, Eric. "Glory." The Waterville Times. September 29, 2010.

Kettl, Jonathan D. Sr. and Jonathon D. Kettl, Sr. 117th New York Volunteer Infantry.
Abstract:    Features the 117th New York Volunteer Infantry of the Union Army of the American Civil War. Features a history of the regiment and a list of battles, engagements, and casualties. Includes rosters of the officers and enlisted soldiers. Contains the service records of the officers, arranged in alphabetical order. Offers links to other Web sites on the Civil War.
Located at New Albany Library, New Albany, Indiana.

Knox, Charles Eugene. Sketch of the life of Captain John J. Knox Williams, oldest grandson of John J. and Sarah A. Knox, who fell in defence of his country at the battle of Chapin's farm, September 29-30, 1864. Prepared by the Rev. Charles E. Knox, and read at the diamond wedding.

Lobdill, John. John Lobdill Letter, 1864 : 117th New York Volunteer Infantry. 
Obtained from http://www.soldierstudies.org/

McElwain, Edward.  Discharge from the United States Army, 1865. 
Printed and handwritten discharge from the United States Army. The discharge verifies McElwain's service in the army and states that he was honorably discharged. The discharge was used to collect a military bounty of $100 in 1867. 1 item (1 page). 
Located at Brigham Young University.

Miller Family.  Papers, 1860-1890. 
This series is comprised almost entirely of correspondence that would be useful for research on the social life and customs of small towns and rural areas of New York State during the Civil War and subsequent reconstruction period. In particular, the letters addressed to Perry Miller from his siblings while serving in the Union Army, contain not only discussions of their own everyday activities and experiences, but also a considerable amount of news about people and events in the community. Also included is some interesting commentary on the imposition of conscription and reactions to news about various battles. After the war, the letters concern less serious matters, with the bulk of them being love letters written by Perry Miller to his future wife, Phoebe Jaesbury of Catskill, New York. 2 boxes (.75 cu. ft.) 
Located at the New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections. .

Mowris, James A. A history of the One hundred and seventeenth regiment N.Y. volunteers (Fourth Oneida), from the date of its organization, August, 1862, till that of its muster out, June, 1865, by J. A. Mowris, Regimental Surgeon. Hartford: Case, Lockwood and co., printers, 1866.

Pearl, George W. Letters of George W. Pearl.
Available online at: http://elib.hamilton.edu/hc/hcbrowse.php?id=col_spe-civ

Pula, James S. The 117th New York Infantry in the Civil War : a history and roster. Jefferson, North Carolina McFarland et Company, Inc., Publishers: 2023.

Pula, James S." and Cheryl A. Pula. With courage and honor" : Oneida County's role in the Civil War.  Utica, NY : Ethnic Heritage Studies Center, Utica College: 2010

Roth, Richard W. They all deserved to be remembered : The stories of 26 Union and Confederate Civil War Soldiers. Butler, PA: Mechling, 2024.

Sexton Family. Civil War Miscellaneous Collection
(Enlisted man's letters, Nov 1862-Apr 1865) 
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Smith, Oakley H. HCWRTColl 
(Cpl's letters, Aug-Dec 1862; Pension claim papers & 
muster rolls, 1862-1915) 
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

United States. Army. New York Infantry Regiment, 117th. Annual Reunion of the 117th N. Y. Vol. Veteran Association...

United States. Army. New York Infantry Regiment, 117th (1862-1865). Civil War enlistment papers :117th NY Volunteer Infantry, 1862. 
Contains mainly original printed volunteer enlistment forms, completed by hand. Forms for Company G are photocopies. Each form includes enlistee's name, place of birth, age, occupation, height, color of eyes and hair, date and place of enlistment, and signatures of the enlistee, adjutant, examining surgeon and recruiting officer. 10 v. (ca. 950 items) ; 30 cm. 
Available online at: http://elib.hamilton.edu/hc/hcbrowse.php?id=col_spe-civ 

United States. Army. New York Infantry Regiment, 117th (1862-1865) Administrative documents of the 117th New York Infantry Regiment,1862-1864.
Collection includes such items as special orders, equipment requests, expense reports, transportation reports, prisoner lists, guard duty schedules, a letter of resignation, and returns of clothing and weapons. 53 items ; 28 cm. or smaller. 
Available online at: http://elib.hamilton.edu/hc/hcbrowse.php?id=col_spe-civ

Van Dresar, Francis. Civil War letter of Francis Van Dresar, 1863 Aug. 23.
Description:    1 item (3 p.)
Abstract:    Van Dresar's letter expresses his patriotic feelings about the Union but fears the people of the North may be tiring of war, and praises the black troops of the 54th USCT for their actions at Fort Wagner. Van Dresar and his regiment participated in the siege of Fort Wagner, and he commented on the valor of Colonel J. Shaw's 54th USCT in their ill-fated charge on that fortification. "A few miles above here on another island is where the 54th colored Regt. of Mass. fought bravely & Col Shaw with over three hundred of his brave Blacks fell in the charge. White men need not talk & censure the valor & fighting quality of that race. They are fighting for Liberty; they know it; & God who presides over us knows it."
Located at the Pearce Civil War Collection, Navarro College, Corsicana, Tex.

Walker, Henry. Henry Walker correspondence, 1861-1864.
Description:    75 items. 1 container. 0.2 linear feet.
Abstract:    Chiefly correspondence between Walker, serving with the U.S. Army's 117th New York Infantry Regiment during the Civil War, and members of his family in Forestport, Oneida County, N.Y. The letters relate to family finances, enlistment bounties, and Walker's efforts to earn extra money by mending soldiers' shoes.
Located at the Library of Congress.

Wisnoski, Donald M. The opportunity is at hand : Oneida County, New York colored soldiers in the Civil War. Lynchburg, VA: Schroeder Publications, c2003.

Unit bibliography from the Army Heritage Center

Items in the museum collection are in bold.