136th Infantry Regiment

Nickname: Ironclads

Mustered in: September 25, 1862
Mustered out: June 13, 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 James Wood, Jr., received authority, August 8, 1862, to recruit this regiment; it was organized at Portage, and there mustered in the service of the United States for three years September 25 and 26, 1862. June 12, 1865, the men not to be mustered out with the regiment were transferred to the 60th Infantry.
The companies were recruited principally: A at Portage Station; B at North Danville, Burns, Ossian and Springwater; C at Livonia, Geneseo, Groveland, Leicester and Spring-water; D at Warsaw, Castile, Eagle, Gainesville, Genesee Falls, Orangeville and Pike; E at Lima, Allen, Covington, Middlebury and Warsaw; F at Mount Morris; G at Geneseo, Avon and York; H at Portage, Bennington, China, Java, Perry, Orangeville, Sheldon and Wethersfield; I at Conesus, Sparta, Springwater, Nunda, North Dansville and Portage; and K at Cuba, Friendship, West, Clarksville, Bolivar and New Hudson.
The regiment left the State October 3, 1862; it served in the 2d Brigade, 2d Division, 11th Corps, from October, 1862; in the 3d Brigade, 3d Division, 2Oth Corps, from April, 1864; and, commanded by Colonel Wood, it was honorably discharged and mustered out, June 13, 1865, near Washington, D. C.
During its service the regiment lost by death, killed in action, 40 enlisted men; of wounds received in action, 2 officers, 34 enlisted men; of disease and other causes, 1 officer, 91 enlisted men; total, 3 officers, 165 enlisted men; aggregate, 168; 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 Thirty-sixth Infantry.—Col., James Wood, Jr.; Lieut.-Cols., Lester B. Faulkner, Henry L. Arnold; Majs., David C. Hartshorn, Henry L. Arnold, Campbell H. Young. The 136th, the "Ironclads," was recruited in the counties of Allegany, Livingston and Wyoming and rendezvoused at Portage, where it was mustered into the U. S. service for three years on Sept. 25-26, 1862. It left the state on Oct. 3; was assigned to the 2nd brigade, 2nd (Steinwehr's) division, 11th corps; went into winter quarters with the corps at Stafford, Va.; fought its first battle at Chancellorsville, losing a few men killed, wounded and missing; and was heavily engaged at Gettysburg on the first two days of the battle, losing 109 in killed, wounded and missing. In Sept., 1863, it was ordered to Tennessee with the nth and 12th corps and was engaged the following month at the midnight battle of Wauhatchie, Tenn., losing 6 killed and wounded. It was active at Missionary ridge in the Chattanooga-Ringgold campaign, losing 11 killed and wounded. When the 20th corps was formed in April, 1864, it was attached to the 3d brigade, 3d (Butterfield's) division of that corps, moving on the Atlanta campaign early in May. It was active at the battles of Rocky Face ridge, Resaca, Cassville, Dallas, Kennesaw mountain and in the siege of Atlanta. Its heaviest loss was incurred at Resaca, where the casualties amounted to 13 killed, 68 wounded and 1 missing. After the fall of Atlanta it remained there until November, when it marched with Sherman to the sea, engaged in thesiege of Savannah, and closed its active service with the campaign through the Carolinas, in which it was engaged at Fayetteville, Averasboro, Bentonville, Raleigh and Bennett's house, losing 45 in killed and wounded in the battles of Averasboro and Bentonville. After the close of the war it marched with its corps to Washington, where it took part in the grand review, and was mustered out on June 13, 1865, under command of Col. Wood, who was later promoted to bvt. brigadier-general and major-general. The regiment lost by death during service, 2 officers and 74 men, killed and mortally wounded; 1 officer and 91 men, died of disease and other causes, a total deaths of 168.

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136th Regiment NY Volunteer Infantry | Guidons | Civil War

The NYS Battle Flag Collection includes two silk swallowtail guidons carried by the 136th Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry. Each guidon conforms…

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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.

136th Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry at Gettysburg 1888 : an account of the dedication of the monument to the 136th Regt. N. Y. Vol. Inf. on the battlefield of Gettysburg, on the 16th day of October, 1888, by the survivors of the regiment, with the adresses delivered on the occasion. Dansville, N.Y. : Press of Bunnell & Oberdorf, 1889.
Contents:    Dedication of the monument to the 136th Regt. N. Y. Vol. Inf. / written by E. H. Davis of Avon, who accompanied the survivors of the regiment -- Address by Gen. James Wood -- The Address of Clinton H. Miner (President of the Regimental Association) -- Address by I. Sam. Johnson -- Survivors Present.
Held by the University of Alabama.

Antebellum and Civil War collection: Government Documents, 1860-1935.
59 documents.
This series is largely comprised of military records, including special orders, muster rolls, general orders, financial documents, requisitions, circulars, and ordinance reports. The documents are organized chronologically. Other records include those issued by state governments after the war, including pardons. Many of the military records are special orders issued for the Georgia Militia or the Fulton County Militia in Atlanta. The orders include calls for arming and equipping all men eligible to serve in the militia, monthly regimental parades, elections of field officers, granting leave of absences, the impressment of Atlanta's City Hall as a hospital, details of civilians for duty, and service exemptions for newspaper employees, including Samuel P. Richards of The Soldiers Friend, and editors and publishers of The Baptist Banner. The series include muster rolls for the 1st, 4th, and 7th Georgia Regiments in 1861-1862, and for the 144th New York Volunteers. Among the records issued by state governments are pardons to ex-Confederate soldiers and officials, an invoice for "impressment of negroes" in Alabama to make salt, and a letter from General Robert E. Lee dismissing soldiers of the Army of Northern Virginia after the surrender at Appomattox.
Finding aid at: ftp.atlantahistorycenter.com/MSS/MSS%20600-699/MSS%20645.pdf
Located at the Atlanta History Center.

Baker, Shelby and Baker, Eleanor. Shelby and Eleanor Baker papers, 1862-1915. 
Correspondence, certificates, photographs, diaries, and clippings relating to Shelby Baker and his daughter, Eleanor Baker. The Bakers hailed from South Livonia, New York. The papers include several documents pertaining to Shelby's service in the Civil War, as well as several letters to Eleanor from her husband, George Gletty. There is a letter written to Eleanor shortly after her marriage by her cousin, Mary A. Jones. The papers also contain the travel diary Eleanor kept during her travels in 1909. Eleanor visited Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, before returning to New York State. Towards the end of the diary are some recipes for butterscotch and chocolate cake. 
0.2 linear ft. (1 box).
Located at the New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections.

Baldwin Family. Baldwin Family papers, 1860-1893, 1860-1876 (bulk).
75 items (approximately)
Abstract:    Civil War letters and diary of George W. Baldwin of the 136th New York Volunteer Regiment; other correspondence; and MS. lyrics and tune for Civil War song.
Held by the Cuba Historical Society, Cuba Circulating Library Association, Cuba, New York 14727.

Bush, B. Conrad. Wyoming county news articles, 1862-1865, 136th New York infantry. West Falls, N.Y. : Bush Research, 2000. 95, 54 p. : ill. ; 29 cm.

Collins, Frank. Frank Collins correspondence, 1842-1869 (bulk 1861-1865).
Description:    1 folder
Abstract:    Grace Collins Horack of Iowa City donated approximately 60 original letters written by Frank Collins and the family between 1842 and 1869. Frank Collins was the brother of Grace's father Henry. The earliest letters were written by Collins to his father or his brother, William. The oldest letter in the collection, however, was written by May Collins, a sister, to her brother, William, during a time that William was a student at Yale College. Most of these early letters were written by Frank to William in the 1850s, a time when Frank was a student at Union College in Schenectady, New York. The majority of this collection are Civil War letters (38); written from 1861 to 1865, when Collins served in the Union Army. There are five letters from 1861, fourteen from 1862, eight from 1863, ten from 1864, and one from 1865. The letters are generally in good condition, but they vary in legibility and the quality of the content. Collins devotes a good part of his content to stories about camp life and his efforts to gain promotions in rank. As with many soldiers, he also writes about the weather, the tedium of camp life, medical challenges, and the comings and goings of general officers. On occasion, he does discuss battles and skirmishes. His letters of May 12 and January 31, 1863 are of note.
Held by the State Historical Society of Iowa.

DeYoung, H. Don,  donor. H. Don DeYoung collection, 1692-1946.
Description:    6 boxes.
Abstract:    Manuscript map of Pavilion Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, 1847. Baggerly family papers. Cash book, C. O. Loomis Corps No. 195, Department of Michigan, Woman's Relief Corps, Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic, 1891-1897. Correspondence of Philip H. Messerschmidt, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1942-1944. Scott family papers, Vermontville, Eaton County, Michigan, 1861-1910. Marring family papers and genealogy, 1859-1885 (some originals) which include the letters of William Maring who enlisted in Company G, First New York Dragoons as William Manning. Daily sick report, 12th Michigan Infantry, 1864-1866. Assessment for teacher's pay, Wakeshma School District #6, 1872-1882. Diary of P. Schollenberger, Stark County, Ohio, 1880. (Photocopies). Various diaries, letters, miscellaneous writings about the following Civil War soldiers, Martin V. Taylor, Michigan 3rd Infantry; James S. Jones, New York 136th Infantry, Company G; Henry C. Jones, New York 13th Infantry, Company G; John D. Rendall, Mississippi 22nd Infantry, Company D, Confederate States of America; Stedman T. Stiles, New York 16th Infantry and New York 121st Infantry; John H. Roberts, New York 14th Volunteers, Heavy Artillery; George Ellis, Michigan 4th Cavalry; Henry Bacon, Michigan 11th Cavalry, Company K;T.R. Dorret, Confederate States of America; George R. Niles, Confederate States of America; John Wasson, Michigan 2nd Cavalry; Stephen P. Marsh, Michigan 11th Infantry, Co. A and C; Andrew J. Curtis, Michigan 18th Infantry, Co. H; Norman G. Pomeroy, Michigan 3rd Cavalry, Co.K; William W. Smith, Michigan 3rd Infantry, Co. H; Amaziah Hadden, Illinois 23rd Infantry, Co. D.; German Brown, Indiana 100th Infantry, Co.B; soldier, Tennessee 22nd Infantry Confederate States of America; Alexander C. Christopher, Ohio 6th Infantry; H.P. Beckwith, Michigan 3rd Infantry, Co.K; Lewis Sweidler, Michigan 7th Infantry; Charles R. Pomeroy, Ohio 33rd Infantry, Co. A.; Samuel Gault, Massachusetts 38th Infantry, Co. A; Sayre Ennis, Pennsylvania 19th Infantry, Co.F; Henry S. Coyle, Co. G, 4th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry (33rd Volunteers); Samuel White, Wisconsin 5th Camp; Charles R. Pomeroy, Ohio 33rd Infantry. Papers of Lt. Colonel Benjamin F. Orcutt, Michigan 25th Volunteer Infantry, 1863. Diary and papers of Randolph R. Knapp, Co. E, 6 U.S. Cavalry, 1863-1865. Papers of Colonel John M. Oliver, 15th Michigan Infantry. John Wasson letters, Co. C, 2nd Michigan Cavalry. (Most are photocopies.).
Helad at Western Michigan University.

Hall, William C. HCWRTColl-GACColl 
(Enlisted man's diary, Oct 6-Nov 8, 1862).
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Hall, James W. James W. Hall document, 1862 December 26.
Description:    0.015 linear feet (1 folder)
Abstract:    [New York Infantry, 136th Regiment (Vol), Company G]. One Civil War document (ADS): Discharge, 26 Dec. 1862.
Held by the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Havens, Lewis Clayton. Historical sketch of the 136th New York infantry, 1862-1865. [Dalton: Burts print service] 1934. 21 p. ; 22 cm.
Located at the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library.

Haygood, Wil. "Mission at Gettysburg." : Back from Iraq, a Marine lays a Civil War Mystery to rest." Washington Post. 14 July 2003. A01.

Historic Blenheim and the Civil War Interpretive Center. Identified Union soldier signatures on the Blenheim Attic and House Walls.
CLOW, Benjamin, Pvt., Co. B; COATS, Morris H. Pvt., Co. A; DIPPY, George, Cpl., Co. B; LUTHER, Bruce, Sgt., Co. B; MCELHENY, John, Pvt., Co. A; PERINE, Thomas, Pvt., Co. B; ROBINSON, Milon O., Pvt., Co. F; SHELDON, Arthur, Pvt., Co. K; SMITH, Charles, Pvt., Co. B; WOOLHISER, George W., Pvt., Co. K .
For more information please visit their web site.

Ikins, Charles G. A Man Had Better Come Back Dead Than Without Honor: The 136th New York Volunteer Infantry (NYVI) Regiment in the American Civil War Portage Camp, New York to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 2014. Master's Thesis. 148.

Ikins, Charles G. Bibliography from A Man Had Better Come Back Dead Than Without Honor: The 136th New York Volunteer Infantry (NYVI) Regiment in the American Civil War Portage Camp, New York to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 2014. Master's Thesis. 148.

Jones, Jim S. LeighColl Bk 20: 40. 
(Pvt's letter, Sep 15, 1863).
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

McMahon, John T.  and Sarah Eliza McMahon. John and Sarah McMahon journals, 1865-1897.
Description:    1 container and 1 bound volume; .5 linear feet.
Abstract:    The collection includes four volumes of John T. McMahon's personal journals. These cover: 1) McMahon's years as a student at the Genesee Lyceum in Lima, New York (1865-1867); 2) McMahon's years as a student at Genesee College in Lima, his graduation and marriage, and three early years with the India Mission (1867-1870, 1871-1874); 3) a three-year stretch in which McMahon visited Europe and the United States, before returning to India (1883-1887), and 4) six later years in India (1887-1893). Many of the India entries in the second of these volumes were written by McMahon's wife Sarah (who was an active partner in her husband's missionary work, especially among girls and women). There are also two volumes with journal entries exclusively by Sarah, and a volume of John McMahon's personal accounts. The dated entries in the McMahon journals vary greatly in length, from short observations to commentaries of many hundreds of words. Entries made in India tend to be more substantial and more sporadic than those made in America. John McMahon's India journals touch on all aspects of the Mission, evangelical, educational, and medical, and have much to say on the beliefs, customs, and languages of the peoples of north India, as well as the region's climate, geography, and natural history.
Held by the University of Notre Dame.

McMahon, John T. John T. McMahon's diary of the 136th New York, 1861-1864. Shippensburg, PA, USA: White Mane Pub. Co, c1993.

Smith, Lucian A. "Recollections of Gettysburg. L. A. Smith, First Lieut. 136th N.Y. infantry, (read May 3, 1894)." MOLLUS-Mich II 297-308.

Metcalf, George P. Autobiography, 1886.
1 v. (456 p.)
Autobiography of George Perry Metcalf of Loraine County, Ohio recounts his childhood on a Medina County, Ohio farm, his service with the New York Infantry Regiment 136, Company D in the Civil War, his law education and experience as a lawyer in Mississippi during the Reconstruction. It includes biographical excerpts from other sources, a Metcalf family genealogy, and aphotograph of George P. Metcalf (b. 1887), nephew of the author.
Located at the Ohio Historical Society (OHS).

Metcalf, George P. Unpublished reminiscences,1886.
Reminiscences of Metcalf's childhood on a Medina County, Ohio farm, his service during the Civil War, and his experiences as a lawyer in Mississippi during Reconstruction. 
0.2 linear ft. 
Located at the Western Reserve Historical Society.

Owen, Riva.  Riva Owen collection. 
This collection consists of 6 letters. There are 4 letters from John C. Wheaton, 136th New York Infantry, June 6, 1863-Jan. 28, 1865, to his sister, Avis Wheaton Owen, containing some especially interesting comments on looting; a letter from John C. Wheaton, June 12, 1865, to his sister, Avis Wheaton Owen, commenting on civilian life; and a letter from R. Wheaton, April 23, 1865, to his sister, Avis Wheaton Owen, commenting on John C. Wheaton and other members of the family. 
.1 cu.ft. 
Located at the Archives of Michigan.

Sill, Edward E. New York (State). Bureau of Military Statistics. "Extracts from Diary of Edward E. Sill, Captain in the 106th New York Volunteers.." Fifth Annual Report of the Bureau of Military Statistics, with Appendices : 5th Annual Report of the Bureau of Military Statistics, with Appendices. Albany, NY: C. Van Benthuysen & Sons' Steam Printing House, 1868. 273-280.

Smith, L. A. Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.; Commandery of Michigan. "Recollections of Gettysburg." War papers being papers read before the Commandery of Michigan, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Volume II, From December 7, 1893 to May 5, 1898 : Recollections of Gettysburg. War Papers being papers read before the Commandery of Michigan, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Volume II, From December 7, 1893 to May 5, 1898. Wilmington, NC: Broadfoot Pub. Co. 51 1993, c.1894. 297-308.

West Brothers (Arzy & Lafayette). Civil War Miscellaneous Collection.
(Enlisted men's letters, Nov 21, 1862 & 
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Wood, James. Report of the operations of the 3d brigade, 3d division of the 20th army corps, in the Atlanta campaign of 1864, by the Brigadier commander, Colonel James Wood, with an appendix containing the proceedings and address of General Wood on the dedication of the monument to the 136th ret. N.Y.V.I. on the battlefield of Gettysburg, October 16, 1888. Albany: Weed, Parsons & co., printers, 1889.
Available online at http://www.archive.org/details/operations3dbrig00woodrich

 

Unit bibliography from the Army Heritage Center

Items in the museum collection are in bold.