115th New York Infantry Regiment

United States Regiments & Batteries > New York > 115th New York Infantry Regiment

“Iron Hearted Regiment”

The 115th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment lost 7 officers and 128 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 188 enlisted men to disease during the Civil War.

1862
Organized at Fonda
August 26 The 115th New York Infantry Regiment was mustered in under the command of Colonel Simeon Sammons, Lieutenant Colonel George S. Batchelder and Major Patrick H. Cowen
August 30 Left New York for Middle Department
September Attached to Miles’ Command, Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia
September 12-15

Defense of Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia

Sergeant Nicholas J. DeGraff of Company D is quoted on the ‘Facing the enemy’ wayside marker on the Harpers Ferry battlefield:

We were greatly surprised at finding ourselves in the face of the enemy so soon … felt proud in being considered worthy of such a trust, and determined to do our duty.
September 12-13

Maryland Heights

The regiment lost 1 enlisted man mortally wounded and 1 officer and nine enlisted men wounded.
September 14 The regiment deployed as skirmishers at the base of Bolivar Heights facing North Schoolhouse Ridge. Sergeant Nicholas J. DeGraff is again quoted on the ‘Five Rounds into the Darkness’ wayside marker on the Harpers Ferry battlefield:

“Sharp musketry began on our extreme left; it came rapidly toward us and soon we to were blazing away. We fired five rounds into the darkness. When the firing ceased and no body seemed to know what was the matter it was said that Reble Cavalry had attempted to pass between us and a hill beyond. This was out second Sunday in the field and we easily reached the conclusion that there was no sabbath laid down in Army regulations.”
September 15 After a heavy bombardment from the heights on every side, the Harpers Ferry garrison was surrendered. The regiment surrendered 28 officers and 950 enlisted men.

Lieutenant James H. Clark of the 115th New York is quoted on a ‘Battle of Harpers Ferry’ wayside marker on the battlefield:

“At first their missiles of death fell far short of our camp; but each succeeding shell came nearer and nearer, until the earth was plowed up at our feet, and our tents torn to tatters.”
September 16 The regiment was paroled and sent to Annapolis, Maryland, then to Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois
November 13 Lieutenant Colonel Batchelder was discharged
November 22 Moved to Washington, D.C., and attached to 3rd Brigade, Casey’s Division, 22nd Army Corps, Dept. of Washington
December 28 Moved to Yorktown, Virginia. Duty there and at Gloucester Point, Virginia. attached to Busteed’s Independent Brigade, 7th Corps, Department of Virginia
1863
January 7-9 Expedition to West Point and White House (Detachment)
January Ordered to Hilton Head, South Carolina. Attached to District of Hilton Head, S. C, 10th Corps, Department of the South
June At Beaufort, South Carolina. Attached to District of Beaufort, South Carolina, 10th Corps
June 27 Major Cowen was discharged
November 14 Captain Ezra E. Walrath of Company I was promoted to major
December At Hilton Head, South Carolina. Attached to District of Hilton Head, S.C., 10th Corps
1864
January Attached to Barton’s Brigade, District of Hilton Head, South Carolina.
February 5-7 Expedition to Jacksonville, Florida. Attached to Barton’s Brigade, District of Florida
February 7 Occupation of Jacksonville
February 7-28 Expedition into Central Florida. Attached to Barton’s Brigade, Ames’ Division, District of Florida
February 9 Camp Finnegan
February 12 Sanderson
February 20

Battle of Olustee

The regiment lost 3 officers and 59 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, Colonel Sammons, 2 other officers and 185 men wounded, and 1 officer and 45 men missing. The entire color guard was killed or wounded.
March 10 Occupation of Palatka
April 15 Captain Nathan J. Johnson of the 93rd New York transferred in and was promoted to lieutenant colonel
April 22-28 Moved to Gloucester Point, Virginia.
May 4-28 Butler’s operations on south side of the James River and against Petersburg and Richmond
May 6-7 Port Walthall Junction, Chester Station
May 12-16 Operations against Fort Darling
May 14-16

Battle of Drury’s Bluff

Attached to 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 10th Corps, Army of the James, Department of Virginia and North Carolina
May 16-28 Bermuda Hundred
May 28-June 1 Moved to White House, then to Cold Harbor. Attached to 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 18th Corps, Army of the James
June 1-12

Battles about Cold Harbor

Attached to 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 10th Army Corps
June 15-18

First Assault on Petersburg
June 16

Siege of Petersburg 
June-August Duty in trenches before Petersburg and on the Bermuda Hundred front. Attached to 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 10th Corps
July 30
Mine Explosion (Battle of the Crater)

The regiment lost 4 enlsted men killed or mortally wounded, Colonel Sammonds, 2 other officers and 13 enlisted men were wounded, and 5 enlisted men missing.
August 13-20 Demonstration on north side of the James
August 14-18

Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom

The regiment lost 2 officers and 14 enisted men killed ot mortally wounded, Lieutenant Colonel Johnson was wounded in the arm and Major Walrath, another officer and 32 enlisted men were wounded, with 22 enlisted men missing.
September 28-30

Battle of Chaffin’s Farm, New Market Heights

Lieutenant Colonel Johnson was wounded in the right shoulder.
October 27-28

Battle of Fair Oaks
November Duty in trenches before Richmond
November 19 Colonel Sammonds was discharged for disability due to his wounds.
December 7-27

Expedition to Fort Fisher, North Carolina

Attached to 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 24th Corps
1865
January 3-15

2nd Expedition to Fort Fisher, North Carolina

Attached to 3rd Brigade. 2nd Division, Terry’s Provisional Corps, Department of North Carolina
January 15

Assault and capture of Fort Fisher

The regiment lost 1 officer and 11 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 2 officers and 53 men wounded, and 2 men missing. Lt. Colonel Johnson was wounded for the third time.
February 11-12 Cape Fear entrenchments
February 11 Sugar Loaf Battery
February 18-19 Fort Anderson
February 22 Capture of Wilmington
March 1-April 26

Campaign of the Carolinas

Attached to 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 10th Corps, Army of the Ohio
March 6-21 Advance on Goldsboro
April 9-13 Advance on Raleigh
April 14 Occupation of Raleigh
April 26

Bennett’s House

Surrender of Johnson and his army.
April 29 Lieutenant Colonel Johnson was promoted to Colonel and Major Walrath was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
May Duty at Raleigh
June 17 The 115th New York Infantry Regiment mustered out under Colonel Johnson. Veterans and Recruits transferred to 47th New York Infantry.