187th Infantry Regiment

Mustered in: October 8-13, 1864
Mustered out: July 1, 1865

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

September 1, 1864, Col. William F. Berens received authority to recruit this regiment, with headquarters at Buffalo; it was organized at Buffalo; only nine companies were recruited, and Companies A, C, D, E, G and I were mustered in the service of the United States for one year October 8 and 13, 1864; Company B joined the regiment February 14, 1865; F in May, 1865; H November 24, 1864. The 65th Regiment of the National Guard of the State formed the nucleus and furnished a large number of men to the regiment.

The companies were recruited principally: A at Buffalo, Tonawanda, Ashford, Great Valley, Franklinville, East Hamburg and Dunkirk; C at Ellicottsville, Ashford, Lancaster and Hinsdale; D at Great Valley, Alden, Ellicottsville, Groveland and Lockport; E at Great Valley, Hanover, Hillsdale, Alexander and Harmony; G at Bennington, Sheldon, Lockport, Ellicottsville, Java, Wilson, Royalton and Syracuse; H at Buffalo, Mansfield, Groveland, Royalton, Elmira, Pomfret and Great Valley; I at Dunkirk and New Albion; B and F in the same localities as the other companies.

The regiment, then six companies only, Lieut.-Col. Daniel Myers, left the State October 17, 1864; it served in the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Corps, and, under Colonel Myers, was mustered out and honorably discharged July 1, 1865, near Washington, D. C.

During its service the regiment lost by death, killed in action, 8 enlisted men; of wounds received in action, 7 enlisted men; of disease and other causes, 32 enlisted men; total, 47.

NYSMM Online Resources

Muster Roll

Unit Roster

Battles and Casualties -Table from Phisterer (PDF format)

Battles and Casualties -Table from Phisterer (MS Excel format)

Newspaper Clippings
 

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.

Berens, William F. Civil War papers, 1854-1982 (bulk 1854-1865).
2 folders (49 items) (0.1 linear ft.)
Includes commissions, special orders, muster roll copies, telegrams, lists of quartermaster's stores, a letter to his daughter and other papers regarding service with Company C, 5th Regiment Wisconsin Infantry and the 187th Regiment New York Infantry. Also includes a diary written while in Virginia with the Wisconsin regiment and a commission from the 65th Regiment New York State Militia, 1854.
Held by the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society Archives, A68-158, William F. Berens Civil War Papers.

Murray, William. William Murray certificate collection, 1865-1902.
2 items (1 folder) (0.1 linear ft.)
Researchers whishing to access this collection must apply for a Scholar Pass and present valid photo ID upon arrival to the library./ Written permission required to reproduce and/or publish. Information on use and fees may be obtained from the Director of Library and Archives. Preferred citation: Buffalo History Museum Research Library, Mss. A79-7, William Murray certificate collection.

Orr, Charles A., Henry Russell, and Joel B. Slater. Certificates and Grand Army of the Republic papers, 1863-1914 (bulk 1901-1910).
1 box + oversize volumes + 1 folder (0.7 linear ft.)
Organized into two series: I. Personal certificates, 1890-1908 and n.d. II. Grand Army of the Republic Papers, 1863-1914. Series II further divided into subseries as follows: A. Pension agent applications and endorsements, 1901, 1904-1905 and 1908-1910. B. Chapin Post No. 2 bound volumes, 1892-1902. C. Correspondence, 1893-1913. D. Military records, 1863-1890. E. Printed material, 1900-1914. F. List of past commanders. G. Newspaper clippings, ca. 1900-1910./ Chronological arrangement within series or subseries./ 
Held by the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society Archives, A64-176, Charles A. Orr Certificates and Grand Army of the Republic Papers.

United States. Army. New York Infantry Regiment, 187th. Fifty years after: a chronicle of the fiftieth anniversary reunion of the 187th regiment New York Volunteers.
Held by the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society Archives.

Voltz, Felix. Felix Voltz Letters, 1865.
1 container 0.1 cu. ft.
The collection contains six letters by Voltz, written to home to his family in Elmira, New York. The first letter in the collection, written from one of Felix's brother's to another, recounts Felix's flight from home and includes Felix's goodbye note. The second letter from February contains correspondence from Felix and his brother John to their parents and siblings. The remaining four letters are from Felix to his siblings at home. More than once, Felix comments on the regret he feels for leaving home.
Held by Virginia Tech.

 

 

 

Items the museum holds are in bold.