Company H of the 124th New York Infantry Regiment recruited at Montgomery, Walden and Goshen, Orange County, New York in midsummer of 1862, mustering in early September. This treasure of a tintype, Co. H, 124th New York Infantry Regiment in Winter Camp in Virginia, possibly Brandy Station, from the Library of Congress is available to download in a high resolution TIFF (98.5mb) file format.
 |
| Co. H, 124th New York Infantry Reg't in Winter Camp, Library of Congress |
Letter from the One Hundred and Twenty-Fourth.
CAMP OF THE 124TH REGIMENT N. Y. S. V.,
NEAR BRANDY STATION, VA., Feb. 18, 1864.
To the Editor of the [Newburgh] Journal:
DEAR SIR: Some time ago, the novel idea was suggested to me by a friend, of writing a letter to the Journal concerning the movements, &c., of the Orange Blossoms; but, deeming myself incompetent to get up a letter that would interest my friends when there was nothing to write about but camp life, I have put it off till the present time.
... Our camp is situated on a slight eminence, with a beautiful brook running at its base. Our company streets are laid out with the strictest care, while our shanties, comparing our present ones with those of last winter, show a decided improvement. But why should they not, since experience is truly allowed to be our best teacher, and we have not lacked its advantages? My present house is the fourth one that I have helped build in Dixie.
Now, in order that you may understand what kind of a house it is that I with three other persons occupy, it will be necessary for me to describe it, so you can judge how much comfort the soldier can take if left alone. It is built up with logs about four feet high, twelve feet long, and seven feet wide, with a bunk in each end sufficiently large to hold two persons, and under which we pile wood and our cooking utensils, &c. Between the two bunks is a space of about five feet, in the centre of which is a fireplace, and directly opposite a door of about the dimensions of those you have often seen in a pig pen. This, covered with our shelter tent, affords a better protection from storm than a person unused to them would suppose. Being situated on an elevated piece of ground renders the health of the regiment generally good.... I remain yours, &c, Wm. Edgar
Detail: Co. H, 124th New York Infantry Reg't in Winter Camp
 |
| foreground right to left: Captain David Crist, 1st Sergt. Thomas Bradley, Corp. William McVey, E. Dexter Van Keuren |
CRIST, DAVID.—Age, 47 years. Enrolled at Goshen, to serve three years, and mustered in as captain, Co. H, August 23,1862; wounded in action, May 3, 1863, at Chancellorsville, Va.; killed in action, May 30,1864, at Totopotomy, Va. Commissioned captain, September 10, 1862, with rank from August, 23, 1862; original.
BRADLEY, THOMAS [WILSON]—Age, 18 years. Enrolled, August 14, 1862, at Walden, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. H, September 5, 1862; promoted corporal, September 15, 1862; sergeant, No'vember 1, 1862; first sergeant, June 22, 1863; wounded in action, July 2, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pa., and May 6, 1864, at the Wilderness, Va.; mustered in as first lieutenant, Co. B, September 1, 1864; wounded in action, October 27,1864, at Boydton Road, Va.; mustered in as captain, November 16, 1864; mustered out with company, June 3, 1865, near Washington, D. C.; awarded Medal of Honor. Commissioned first lieutenant, September 27, 1864, with rank from August 1, 1864, vice J. R. Hayes resigned; captain, November 15, 1864, with rank from August 2, 1864, vice L. S. Wisner resigned. (April 6, 1844 - May 30, 1920; Wallkill Valley Cemetery, Walden NY)
McVAY [McVey], WILLIAM.—Age, 36 years. Enlisted, August 14, 1862, at Walden, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. H, September 5, 1862; promoted corporal prior to October, 1864; mustered out with company, June 3, 1865, near Washington, D. C.
VAN KEUREN, ELISHA D [Dexter].—Age, 29 years. Enlisted, August 13, 1862, at Walden, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. H, September 5, 1862; discharged, July 1, 1865, at Fort Delaware, Del.
 |
| right to left: Corp. Abram Rapelje,
Gouveneer Legg, Sgt. George Butters, Josiah Dawson, William Buchanan |
RAPALJE, ABRAHAM B.—Age, 25 years. Enlisted, August 14, 1862, at Walden, to serve three years; mustered in as corporal, Co. H, September 5,1862; returned to ranks, no date; promoted corporal, November 1, 1864; mustered out with company, June 3, 1S65, near Washington, D. C. (born Feb. 9, 1837 in Montgomery, NY.)
LEGG, GOUVERNEUR M.—Age, 31 years. Enlisted, August 22, 1862, at Goshen, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. H, September 5, 1862; wounded in action, May 6, 1864, at the Wilderness, Va.; mustered out, June 6,1865, at Harewood Hospital, Washington, D. C as Governeur M. (died Jan. 1, 1905; Riverside Cemetery, Montgomery, NY)
BUTTERS, GEORGE.—Age, 24 years. Enlisted, August 13, 1862, at Walden, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. H , September 5, 1862; promoted corporal prior to April 10, 1863; sergeant, prior to May, 1864; captured in action, May 12, 1864, at Spotsylvania Court House, Va.; no further record.
DAWSON, JOSIAH.—Age, 19 years. Enlisted, August 13, 1862, at Walden, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. H, September 5, 1862; wounded in action, May 3, 1863, at Chancellorsville, Va.; wounded and captured in action, May 8, 1864, at Spotsylvania, Va.; paroled, November 20, 1864; promoted sergeant, March 20, 1865; mustered out with company, June 3, 1865, near Washington, D. C.
BUCHANAN, WILLIAM.—Age, 32 years. Enlisted, August 14, 1862, at Walden, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. H, September 5, 1862; mustered out with company, June 3, 1865, near Washington D. C.
 | |
| right to left: John Rediker, unknown, Corp. William Henry Brown, unknown, Chester Judson, unknown. |
REDEKER [Rediker], JOHN.—Age, 22 years. Enlisted, August 14, 1862, at Walden, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. H, September 5, 1862; mustered out with company, June 3, 1865, near Washington, D.C.
BROWN, WILLIAM H.—Age, 20 years. Enlisted, August 14, 1862, at Walden, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. H, September 5, 1862; wounded in action, May 3, 1863, at Chancellorsville, May 6, 1864, at the Wilderness, and May 8, 1864, at Spotsylvania, C. H., Va.; promoted corporal prior to October, 1864, sergeant, November 1, 1864; mustered out with detachment, May 17, 1865, at Harewood Hospital, Washington, D. C.
JUDSON, CHESTER.—Age, 18 years. Enlisted, August 14,1862, at Walden, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. H, August 20, 1862; promoted corporal, no date; killed while on picket, September 14, 1864, at Petersburg, Va. ( Poplar Grove National Cemetery, Petersburg, VA, Grave 1153. Younger brother of Grandason Judson, also of this Company. )
 |
| right to left: Milton Crist, Jesse Camp,
unknown, James Crist, Francis S. Brown, Corp. Alexander Armstrong, Grandison Judson |
CRIST, MILTON.—Age, 18 years. Enlisted, August 14, 1862, at Walden, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. H, September 5, 1862; promoted corporal, September 1, 1864; sergeant, March 20, 1S65; mustered out with company, June 3, 1865, near Washington, D. C.
CAMP, JESSE F.—Age, 20 years. Enlisted, August 14, 1862, at Walden, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. H, September 5, 1862; wounded in action, July 2, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pa.; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, January 14, 1864. (1841 - 1925, Brick Church Cemetery, Montgomery, NY)
CRIST, JAMES.—Age, 28 years. Enlisted, August 14, 1862, at Walden, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. H, September, 5, 1862; wounded in action, May 3, 1863, at Chancellorsville, Va.; captured, June 1, 1864, at Totopotomoy Creek, Va.; died, November 11, 1864, at Andersonville, Ga.
BROWN, FRANCIS S.—Age, 30 years. Enlisted, August 13, 1862, at Walden, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. H , September 5, 1862; mustered out with company, June 3, 1865, near Washington, D. C.
ARMSTRONG, ANDREW.—Age, 17 years. Enlisted, August 13, 1862, at Walden, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. H, September 5, 1862; promoted corporal, July 16, 1863; sergeant, prior to October, 1864; sergeant major, November 15, 1864; mustered out with regiment, June 3, 1865, near Washington, D. C.
JUDSON, GRANDASON.—Age, 30 years. Enlisted, August 14, 1862, at Walden, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Go. H, September 5, 1862; wounded in action, May 3, 1863, at Chancellorsville, Va.; transferred to Co. F, Ninth Regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps, February 1, 1865; mustered out with detachment, June 26, 1865, at Washington, D. C. (August 10, 1831 - March 29, 1908, Brick Church Cemetery, Montgomery, NY. Older brother of Chester Judson.)
 |
| right to left: John Buckley (musician), Arthur Haigh (musician) Charles Whitehead (musician), Lieutenant John R. Hays. |
HAIGH, ARTHUR.—Age, 19 years. Enlisted, August 13, 1862, at Walden, to serve three years; mustered in as private. Co. H, September 5, 1862; appointed musician prior to April 10, 1863; mustered out with company. June 3, 1S65, near Washington, D.C.
WHITEHEAD, CHARLES.—Age, 20 years. Enlisted, August 18, 1862, at Walden, to serve three years; mustered in as musician, Co. H, September 5, 1862; mustered out with company, June 3, 1865, near Washington, D. C.
HAYS, JOHN R.—Age, 22 years. Enrolled, August 14, 1862, at Walden, to serve three years; mustered in as second lieutenant, Co. H, August 23, 1862; discharged, April 8, 1864. Commissioned second lieutenant, September 10, 1862, with rank from August 23, 1862, original; first lieutenant, not mustered, December 17, 1863, with rank from May 10, 1863, vice H. Gowdy, who died of wounds received in action.
The author of the February letter to the Newburgh Journal, William Edgar, Co I, would be killed in action May 15, 1864, at Spotsylvania, Virginia. He would end his missive to the Newburgh Journal thus:
Night is now
upon us, and one of inky darkness, for there was no moon to light our weary
way; and even had there been it would have done but little good. For as my
countryman Burns says, in his celebrated poem on Tam O'Shanter, "And sic a nicht we took the road in, That nae puir sinner was e'er abroad in."
The 124th mustered out on June 3, 1865, in Washington D. C., Col. Weygant was permitted, by special order of Secretary of War, to take his regiment back to Orange County and disband it at Washington's Headquarters at Newburgh, NY.
Col. Charles H. Weygant's Address
Reunion of the 124th Regiment Association,
The Goshen Democrat, Sept. 5, 1907. - Chester Historical Society
Reunion of the 124th Regiment Association,
The Goshen Democrat, Sept. 5, 1907. - Chester Historical Society
... Forty-five years and ten days ago there were
encamped, on the green fields on the outskirts of this village, about
nine hundred young men from the homes of Orange County, every one of
whom had voluntarily offered to risk, and if need be lose his life in
the service of his country. They had just been officially designated as a
military body, the "124th Regiment New York Volunteers." Later in their
career they became familiarly known by their foes as the "Red String
Devils," and by their friends as the "Orange Blossoms."
~~~
124th Regiment, New York Infantry
Overview:Organized at Goshen and mustered in September 5, 1862. Left State for Washington, D. C., September 6. Attached to Platt's Brigade, Whipple's Division, 3rd Army Corps, to October, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 3rd Army Corps. Army of the Potomac, to June, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 3rd Army Corps, to March, 1864. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Army Corps, to June, 1865.
Service:
Duty in the Defences of Washington, D. C., till October, 1862. Moved to Point of Rocks, thence to Pleasant Valley, Md., October 18-19. Movement toward Warrenton, Va., October 24-November 16. Reconnoissance to Manassas Gap November 5-6. Movement to Falmouth, Va., November 18-24. Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15. Duty near Falmouth till April 27, 1863. "Mud March" January 20-24. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Battle of Chancellorsville May 1-5. Beverly Ford and Brandy Station June 9. Gettysburg (Pa.) Campaign June 11-July 24. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Pursuit of Lee to Manassas Gap, Va., July 5-24. Wapping Heights, Va., July 23. Duty on line of the Rappahannock and the Rapidan till October. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Kelly's Ford November 7. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Payne's Farm November 27. Mine Run November 28-30. Duty near Brandy Station till May, 1864. Demonstration on the Rapidan February 6-7. Campaign from the Rapidan to the James May 3-June 15. Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7. Laurel Hill May 8. Spotsylvania May 8-12. Po River May 10. Spottsylvania Court House May 12-21. Assault on the Salient "Bloody Angle" May 12. Harris Farm, or Fredericksburg Road, May 19. North Anna River May 23-26. On line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Before Petersburg June 16-18. Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Jerusalem Plank Road, Weldon Railroad, June 22-23, 1864. Demonstration north of the James July 27-29. Deep Bottom July 27-28. Demonstration on north side of the James August 13-20. Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, August 14-18. Poplar Springs Church September 29-October 2. Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher's Run, October 27-28. Raid on Weldon Railroad December 9-10. Dabney's Mills, Hatcher's Run, February 5-7, 1865. Watkins' House March 25. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. Boydton and White Oak Roads March 29-31. Crow's House March 31. Fall of Petersburg April 2. Sailor's Creek April 6. High Bridge and Farmville April 7. Appomattox Court House April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. At Burkesville till May 2. Moved to Washington, D. C., May 2-12. Grand Review May 23. Mustered out June 3, 1865. Veterans and Recruits transferred to 93rd New York Infantry.
Regiment lost during service 11 Officers and 137 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 92 Enlisted men by disease. Total 241.