157th New York Infantry Regiment's Civil War Historical Sketch

Taken from Final Report on the Battlefield of Gettysburg (New York at Gettysburg) by the New York Monuments Commission for the Battlefields of Gettysburg and Chattanooga. Albany, NY: J.B. Lyon Company, 1902.

The One hundred and fifty-seventh New York Volunteers was raised in Cortland and Madison Counties, five companies from each county. Companies C, D, E, H and K were from Cortland; and A, B, F, I and G from Madison. The regiment rendezvoused at Hamilton, Madison County. When it reached the seat of war (Washington), September 30, 1862, it numbered 1,050 men; when mustered out of service at Mt. Pleasant, S. C., (near Charleston) July 10, 1865, only about one-third of its original numbers were borne upon its rolls, all told. The losses were from those killed in action, died of disease and wounds, discharged on certificates of disability, desertions, suicides, etc.

The deaths in battle, and from disease or from accidents, included 9 officers and 191 enlisted men. At no time during its term of service did a pestilence or any contagious disease deplete its strength, a fact speaking well for sanitary discipline. To be sure there were isolated cases of contagious diseases, but prompt action of the medical staff averted the greater danger. Few regiments were better favored with officers having the true interests of their men at heart, than was the One hundred and fifty-seventh.

The One hundred and fifty-seventh disbanded at Syracuse, N. Y., at which time it was resolved into a regimental association.

The regiment was engaged or present at the following actions: Chancellors-ville, Va.; Gettysburg, Pa.; Charleston Harbor; Bombardment of Sumter, S. C.; John's Island, S. C.; Camp Finnegan, Fla.; Honey Hill, S. C.; Coosa-whatchie, S. C.; Deveaux Neck, S. C.; and Dingle's Mills, S. C.