140th Infantry Regiment

Nickname: Monroe County Regiment; Rochester Race Horses

Mustered in: September 13, 1862
Mustered out: June 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. 

August 8, 1862, Capt. Hiram Smith received authority to recruit this regiment; it was organized at Rochester with Patrick H. O'Rorke as Colonel, and there mustered in the service of the United States for three years September 13, 1862. June 26, 1863, the three years' men of the13th Infantry, and October 6, 1864, the members of the 44th Infantry, not mustered out with their regiments, were transferred to it. June 3, 1865, the men not to be mustered out with it were transferred to the 5th Veteran Infantry.
The companies were recruited principally: A at Brockport; B, C, E, F and K at Rochester; D at Rochester, Brighton, Gates, Penfield and West Webster; G at Rochester and Churchville; H at Rochester, Brockport and Fairport; and I at Chili, Greece, Penfield, Rochester, Ogden, Henrietta and Parma.
The regiment left the State September 19, 1862; it served in the Provisional Brigade, Casey's Division, defenses of Washington, from September, 1862; in the 2d Brigade, 2d Division, 12th Corps, from October, 1862; in the 3d Brigade, 2d Division, 5th Corps, from November, 1862; in the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Corps, from March, 1864; in the 1st Brigade, 2d Division, 5th Corps, from June 6, 1864; and, under Col. W. S. Grantsyne, it was honorably discharged and mustered out June 3, 1865, near Alexandria, Va.
During its service the regiment lost by death, killed in action, 4 officers, 86 enlisted men; of wounds received in action, 4 officers, 46 enlisted men; of disease and other causes, 2 officers, 169 enlisted men; total 10 officers, 301 enlisted men; aggregate, 311 of whom 1 officer, 78 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 Fortieth Infantry.—Cols., Patrick H. O'Rorke, George Ryan, Elwell S. Otis, William S. Grantsyne; Lieut.-Cols., Louis Ernest, Isaiah F. Force, Elwell S. Otis, William S. Grant-syne, W. James Clark; Majs., Milo L. Starks, Benjamin F. Harman, William J. Clark, Willard Abbott, Isaiah F. Force. The 140th, the "Rochester Racehorses," was recruited in Monroe county, organized at Rochester, and there mustered into the U. S. service on Sept. 13, 1862, for three years. In June, 1863, it received by transfer the three years men of the 13th N. Y., and in Oct., 1864, the veterans and recruits of the 44th. The regiment left the state on Sept. 19, 1862, proceeded to Washington and joined the Army of the Potomac in November, being assigned to the 3d (Warren's) brigade, 2nd (Sykes') division, 5th corps. With this command it was under fire for the first time at the battle of Fredericksburg, where it lost a few men wounded and missing. The 5th corps was only partially engaged at Chancellorsville, though the I40th lost 21 killed, wounded and missing in that disastrous battle. Describing this gallant, fighting regiment, Col. Fox says: "Col., O'Rorke was killed at Gettysburg while leading his men into action on Little Round Top, where their prompt action aided largely in seizing that important position, the regiment losing there 26 killed, 89 wounded and 18 missing. The 140th was then in Ayres' division—the division of regulars. In 1864 the regulars were brigaded in one command under Ayres, and the 140th was placed in the same brigade; the division was commanded by Gen. Charles Griffin. But in June, 1864, the regiment was transferred to the 1st Brigade of Ayres' (2nd) division. This brigade was commanded in turn by Col. Gregory, Gen. Joseph Hayes, Col. Otis, and Gen. Winthrop. The latter officer fell mortally wounded at Five Forks. The regiment was in the hottest of the fighting at the Wilderness and suffered severely there, losing 23 killed, 118 wounded and 114 captured or missing; total, 255. Three days later it was engaged in the first of the series of battles at Spbttsylvania, in which action Col. Ryan and Maj. Starks were killed. At Spottsylvania the casualties in the regiment were 12 killed and 48 wounded; and at the Weldon railroad, 4 killed, 19 wounded and 51 captured or missing. The regiment was composed of exceptionally good material; the men were a neat, clean lot, and in their handsome Zouave costume attracted favorable attention wherever they appeared." The 140th took part in nearly all the great engagements of the Army of the Potomac from Fredericks-burg to the close of the war. It was actively engaged at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Bethesda Church, siege of Petersburg, Weldon railroad, Poplar Spring Church, Hatcher's run, White Oak road and Five Forks, It was present at Fredericksburg, Bristoe Station, Rappahannock Station, in the Mine Run campaign, North Anna, Totopotomy, White Oak swamp and Appomattox. Other important losses incurred besides those above detailed were, 60 wounded and missing at Bethesda Church; 22 killed, wounded and missing in the first assault on Petersburg; 23 killed and wounded at Hatcher's run; and 57 killed, wounded and missing during the final Appomattox campaign. Col. O'Rorke, when he was killed at Gettysburg, was mounted on a rock at Little Round Top, cheering on his men. He graduated at the head of his class at West Point in 1861 and was only 25 years of age when killed. The regiment was mustered out June 3, 1865, near Alexandria, Va., under Col. Grantsyne. Its total enrollment during service was 1,707, of whom 533 were killed and wounded; 8 officers and 141 men were killed and died of wounds; 2 officers and 168 men died of disease and other causes; total deaths, 319, of whom 77 died in Confederate prisons.

140thInfReg2003-288.jpg

140th Regiment NY Volunteer Infantry | Regimental Color | Civil War

In September 1862 the 140th Regiment NY Volunteer Infantry received this painted silk regimental color from a group of young ladies from Rochester.…

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140thInfReg.jpg

140th Regiment NY Volunteer Infantry | Regimental Color | Civil War

This blue silk regimental color carried by the 140th Regiment NY Volunteer Infantry features a painted Arms and motto of the United States complete…

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NYSMM Online Resources

Battles and Casualties from Phisterer (pdf)
Battles and Casualties from Phisterer (spreadsheet)

Muster Roll

Unit Roster

Civil War Newspaper Clippings
Pages 4 - 13 ** There are no pages 1 - 3
Pages 14 - 23
Pages 24 - 33
Pages 34 - 43
Pages 44 - 53
Pages 54 - 63
Pages 64 - 74

Monument at Gettysburg

Search the Museum catalog for this unit

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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.

The 140th New York volunteer infantry : 10 penny songster. [Jeritall P & P],  1996.
Located at the Rochester Public Library.

140th N.Y.V.I. Living History Org., Inc. The 140th regiment New York volunteers. [Honeoye Falls, NY? : 140th NYVI Living History Org., Inc., 1991. 1 v. (unpaged) ; 30 cm.
Located at the Rochester Public Library.

140th N.Y.V.I. Living History Org., Inc. Heroes of the 140th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment. [Penfield, N.Y.] : [140th New York Volunteer Infantry Living History Organization], 2014.
Located at the Rochester Public Library.

Badger, Alfred Mason. Papers of Alfred Mason Badger,1832-1863. 
Diary (1832-1836) documenting Badger's merchant and building contracting businesses in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., and Boston, Mass., and reflecting the growth of the nation's capital (1832-1833); letters from Badger to his family while on a trip in New England (1868); his obituary (1868); genealogies of the Badger family (1635-circa 1949), of the Beck family (1743-circa 1860), and of the Hamden family (1666-circa 1909); and a scrapbook of poems. Also includes Civil War letters from Badger's son, Frank Appleton Badger, 140th New York Volunteers, and from his nephew, Hamlet F. Richardson, 108th New York Volunteers, and photographs of the two soldiers. 
50 items. 1 container. 
Located at the Library of Congress, http://lccn.loc.gov/mm79011528
Rochester Public Library also has ledger books of Mason.

Bennett, Brian A. The beau ideal of a soldier and a gentleman :the life of Col. Patrick Henry O'Rorke from Ireland to Gettysburg. Wheatland, N.Y. : Triphammer Pub., 1996. 196 p. : ill. ; 22 cm.

Bennett, Brian A. "'The Ideal Soldier and a Gentleman.'" [COL Patrick O'Rorke]. America's Civil War. (Mar/Apr 1991): pp. 35-37 & 64.

Bennett, Brian A. Sons of old Monroe : a regimental history of Patrick O'Rorke's 140th New York Volunteer Infantry. (s.I.) Press of Morningside Bookshop, 1999.

Bennett, Brian A. "The Supreme Event in its Existence : The 140th New York on Little Round Top." Gettysburg: Historical Articles of Lasting Interest 3 (July 1990) 17-25.

Bennett, Brian. So picturesque in life, so uncanny in death : the 140th New York Zouaves in Sanders' Field. [New York? N.Y.] : [publisher not identified],1989.

Brown, Orsell Cook. Papers (1861-1881). 
Comprised chiefly of letters written by Brown to his sister in Ashville, New York., about battles and campaigns at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and theWilderness. His letters are well written and quite detailed in regards to his observations and experiences. Also includes a photo album containing pictures of many fellow soldiers in the 44th New York Volunteers. Finding aid available. 
3 boxes (1 cu. ft.).
Located at the New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections.

Canberg, Kevin. "Immortality on Little Round Top, Butchery in Saunders Field." : Two New York officers and the harsh reality of war." Military Images. 34 :3 Summer 20126. 48-50.

Colt, Leonard Chester. Leonard Chester Colt and William L. Colt : the war years, 1861-1865. [S.l.] Oakland Road Press, 1993.

Conklin, Philo. JohnsonFamily. 
(Enlisted man's letters, Jul 31, 1863-Apr 25, 1865).
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Cribben, Henry. The military memoirs of Captain Henry Cribben of the 140th New York volunteers. [Chicago: 1911].
Available online at: www.libraryweb.org/~digitized/books/Military_Memoirs_of_Captain_Henry_Cribben.pdf

Drorbaugh, Wells. From Rochester to Andersonville : some personal annals of the Civil War. [Philadelphia?] : Xlibris, 2001. 338 p. : ill., maps ; 22 cm.

Farley, Porter. "Captain Farley's 'Number nine,' reminiscences by Porter Farley." In The attack and defense of Little Round Top, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. (1913) 125-40.

Farley, Porter. "Reminiscences of the 140th regiment New York volunteer infantry." Rochester historical society publications XXII (1944) 199-252.

Farley, Porter. The 140th New York volunteers, Wilderness, May 5th, 1864. [Rochester: n.d.].

Farley, Porter. The 140th New York volunteers at Gettysburg, 1863 - 1889. [Rochester: 1889].

Farley, Porter. An unvarnished tale : the public and private Civil War writings of Porter Farley, 140th N.Y.V.I. Wheatland, N.Y. : Triphammer Pub., 2007. 319 p. : ill. ; 21 cm.

Fellows family. Fellows family papers. 1.
Year:    1777-1938
Description:    2 boxes
Abstract:    Letters to Juliett Woodworth (Mrs. Henry Fellows, in 1865) of Penfield, from various members of the Woodworth and Mead families, particularly from Mayfield, Fulton Co., N.Y. and from Michigan. Letters written during the Civil War from William N. Woodworth of the 140th New York Volunteers and Silas W. Allen of the 4th Michigan Battery. Letters from James Moore of the 108th New York Volunteers to John Fellows, Penfield, concerning the Civil War and various personal financial matters. Letters to Henry Fellows (Jr.) concerning financial matters.
Held by the University of Rochester.

Fisher, Donald M. "Born in Ireland, Killed at Gettysburg: The Life, Death, and Legacy of Patrick Henry O'Rorke." Civil War History 39:3 (September 1993) 225-239.

"Flag of the Valiant 140th Volunteers is among the first restored." New York State and the Civil War. 1 :9 March, 1962.

Genet, Henry A. Henry A. Genet letter, 1863 April 5.
Description:    1 item (4 pages)
Abstract:    Letter to "old friend Revi," dated Camp near Falmouth, Va., April 5, 1863. The letter describes his time in service and conditions in camp (four inches of snow), and commiserates with Revi on the marriage of "Miss Eve."
Hled by New York University.

Garbutt, Edward N. Papers, 1862-1948. 
Correspondence (1 item; 1863); diaries (6 v., 1862-1863, 1864, 1866, 1867, 1876), notebook (1948), and copy of newspaper clipping on Garbutt's death (1898).
Located at the Colorado Historical Society.

Grube, Harry T. "140th New York Volunteer Infantry, 1864-1865." Military Collector & Historian. 33:2 (Summer 1970) 55-56.

Hampton family. Family Papers, 1816-1992.
4 boxes, 1 Oversized folder (ca. 4 cubic ft.) : ill.
Family Papers, 1816, 1853-1958, 1992, and undated. The collection is divided into the papers of Charles Gardiner Hampton, his wife Emma Stark Hampton, their sons, Arthur Stark Hampton and Charles Glazier Hampton, Jr., general Hampton family correspondence, general Stark family correspondence, Israel Buell Stark, and his sons, Milo L. and Maurice Stark. Of special interest are the Civil War diaries and documents of Charles Gardiner Hampton who fought at Bull Run, Middleburg, Gettysburg, and was captured and imprisoned in Libby Prison. Emma's papers describe her work in the Woman's Relief Corps of the Civil War. Two boxes include family photographs. Extensive family genealogical materials are included. Milo Stark's Civil War diary and oversized muster rolls, pay rolls, ordnance and stores receipts and reports are also included.
Located at the Clarke Historical Library (Central Michigan University).

These papers consist mostly of letters regarding Houck's experiences as musician for the U.S. Army during the Civil War. They provide information on performances, practice sessions, and other activities. Finding aid available. 
1 box (65 items). 
Located at the New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections.

Huntington, John F. BrakeColl 
(Sgt's letter, Jul 28, 1863; Pvt Charles Smith's recollection of Gettysburg, Jul 3, 1913).
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Johnson family. The Johnson family papers, 1860-1934.
1 box.
Contains the following type of materials: correspondence. Contains information pertaining to the following war and time period: Civil War -- Eastern Theater; 1865-1897. Contains information pertaining to the following military units: 1st New York Sharpshooter Battalion; 4th, 8th, and 16th New York Heavy Artillery Regiments; 44th, 126th, 140th and 148th New York Infantry Regiments; Dept. of Virginia; Army of the Potomac (either the II or the VI Corps and probably the V Corps). General description of the collection: The Johnson Family papers include enlisted man's letters; letters from camp, Petersburg, Centreville, Suffolk, Norfolk, Yorktown, Warrenton; letters from civilians, during and after the war, around Naples, Ontario County, New York letter about Confederate money. Campaigns: Suffolk, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Appomattox; unknown New York unit (V), 1863 and Corps II, VI, 1865.
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Johnston, William. Civil War Miscellaneous Collection
(Enlisted man's letters, Apr 11, 1863-Mar 21, 1864; Genealogical information).
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Kowalis, Jeffrey J. Died at Gettysburg! : "no prouder epitaph need any man covet" : illustrated biographies of the Union casualties at Gettysburg. Hightstown, NJ: Longstreet House, 1998.

Leader, Norman. "Terror in the Wilderness: The Charge Across Sanders Field." America's Civil War Vol. 16: pp. 38-47.?

Maihafer, Harry J. "The Decision of Patty O'Rorke." Military Review (Jan 1966): pp. 68-76.

Markham Family. Civil War Miscellaneous Collection
(Enlisted man's letter, Mar 26, 1865).
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Marsh, Edwin T.  Edwin T. Marsh papers,1864-1865. 
Includes correspondence, personal diary from Marsh's stay as a prisoner of war at Andersonville Prison, Ga., military discharge records, post war documents relating to Civil War veterans associations, a hand drawn map of Andersonville Prison, and numerous newspaper clippings.
Finding aid online at: http://www.pearcecollections.us/fa_ind.php?fid=388
6 items. 
Located at Navarro College Archives, Navarro College, 3200 W. 7th Ave., Corsicana, Texas.

McGraw, John. John McGraw Civil War letters.
Abstract:    The bulk of this collection consists of letters from John McGraw to his wife Mary from September, 1863-March, 1865 while he was serving in Company E of the 140th NY Volunteer Infantry. The letters discuss McGraw's unit's movements and where they made camp, his feelings about the war, things he witnessed in battle and at the hospitals he was a patient in, news of fellow soldiers from Rochester, the death of two of his young sons at home, his own illnesses and injuries, along with more mundane topics like sending money home, the weather, and food. Most letters contain a plea for more letters from Mary and more news of home. The collection also contains research the McGraw family compiled about John McGraw, including a McGraw family tree, photocopies of his military service records, and transcriptions of the letters.
Originals held by the University of Rochester.

McKelvey, Blake. Rochester in the civil war. Rochester, N.Y., The Society, 1944.

"Mosby's Guerrilla." Neighbor’s Home Mail. February 1876. 21.

Norton, Oliver Willcox. The attack and defense of Little Round Top, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. New York: The Neale Pub. Co. 1913.

Otis, Elwell Stephen. Elwell Stephen Otis Civil War diary, circa 1863-1864.
Description:    0.015 linear feet (1 folder)
Abstract:    (1838-1909) [Captain, New York Infantry, 140th Regiment (Vol), Company D]. Civil War diary, 1863, and four documents (AD), mostly accounts, ca. 1863-1864.
Held by the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Powell, Samuel. Leslie Powell Foundation collection,1864-1978.
Personal papers of Leslie Powell including correspondence (1953-1977), education records, art promos and inventories, photocopies of newsclippings, and military papers of Powell's grandfather Samuel Powell, reflecting his service with 140th New York Volunteers during the Civil War; book; and photo inventory of Museum of the Great Plains. 1 box. 
Located at Museum of the Great Plains (Lawton, Okla.).

Presentation of colors to the 140th regiment N.Y.S.V. Rochester : Steam Press of Curtis, Butts & Co., 1862.

Root, Randolph. Randolph Root papers,1861-1896. 
Letters describing his military service, including the Battle of Fredericksburg, also family letters. 
0.2 linear foot.
Located at the Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.

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.

Ryan, George, et al. Inside the Ryan papers : George Ryan. Manakin-Sabot, VA : Dementi Milestone Publishing, Inc., 2015.

Schlosser, Mickey. John Robortella, Robert Marcotte, and George M. Tomczyk. Writing home: Civil War letters from the Hinchey Family archive. Rochester, N.Y. : Gates Historical Society, 2013.
Thank you to Ed Worman for pointing out this resource.

Shay, Gordon. Battle of Gettysburg. Weston, MA : Weston Military History Group, 2001. "Professor Gordon Shay presents an analysis of the battle with a special emphasis on the actions of the 140th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment in the fight for Little Round Top."--Container. 1 videocassette (90 min.) : sd., col. ; 1/2 in. 
Located at the Weston Public Library, 87 School St., Weston, MA 02493.

Seiser, (Sizer?) Augustus Friedrich. "August Seiser's Civil war diary. Foreword by Charles E. Seiser". Rochester historical society publications XXII (1944) 174-98.

Sizer, August Friederich and Charles Edward Sizer. Civil War experiences of a Rochester soldier. 
Notes written in the field and mailed home by August Friederich Sizer were translated and typed after his death in 1904 by his son, who added a short biographical sketch in the foreward. [19] leaves ; 31 cm. 
Located at the Rochester Public Library.

Smith, Charles N. BrakeColl 
(Pvt's account of Gettysburg, Jul 3, 1913).
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Werking, Cassandra Jane. Orsell Cook Brown : a personal lens into the Forty-Fourth Volunteer Infantry of New York. 2013
Honors Thesis, Siena College, 2013.

 

Unit bibliography from the Army Heritage Center

Items in the museum collection are in bold.