Oneida County's 117th New York Infantry-- Part 7: 155th Anniversary of Mustering In

August 8, 2017, will mark the 155th anniversary of the 117th's mustering in.

There is more on the 117th New York Infantry Regiment and role of Rome in the Civil War at the Rome Historical Society at 200 Church Street, or at www.romehistoricsociety.org.

--Old Secesh

Oneida County's 117th New York Infantry-- Part 6: One Member Died With Custer

After their discharge in 1865, most of the men returned to Oneida County and to their former jobs.

Some remained in the military.  Captain Algernon Smith died at Custer's Last Stand at the Battle of the Little Big Horn.

Colonel Alvin White went on to become superintendent of the Faxton Hospital in Utica.  Colonel Rufus Daggett became the Utica postmaster.

Surviving members of the 117th met regularly in the area until the 1920s, by which point few were still alive.

--Old B-Runner

Oneida County's 117th New York-- Part 5: "The Language That Spilled Out"

Despite combat, the regiment had long periods of boredom, drudgery and restlessness while in camp.  During one of these boring periods in July 1863, an anonymous soldier of the 117th wrote a letter to the editors of the Rome Sentinel (which had been published for about twenty years at that time).

The letter appears to be a joke about a particularly dull soldier in the 117th and was not signed.

The 117th also had a bit of a crude sense of humor.  "One general commented that he had never heard language like what spilled out of the mouths of the 117th."

--Old B-Swear

Oneida County's 117th New York-- Part 4: The Race to the Parapet

So noteworthy was the 117th's actions at Fort Fisher that it actually raced a Pennsylvania regiment to plant their flag on the fort's parapets.  "When one man was shot another would pick up the flag."  Remnants of this flag today are housed in the Oneida County History Center.

Historian Peter Leonard says that the soldiers in the 117th did not enlist because of the issues of slavery or states rights, saying,: "For the average person in Oneida County, I believe it was more of a sense of duty to enlist and serve.  Many had fathers and grandfathers in the Revolution and War of 1812, including the battles of Fort Stanwix and Oriskany."

--Old B-Runner

Oneida County's 117th New York Infantry-- Part 2: Trained At camp Huntington

New York Governor Edwin Morgan exhorted his state's people to enlist, "Let the 'glorious example of the Revolutionary period be our emulation."

Rome, New York, had around 6,000 people in 1862.

The volunteers for the 117th were largely from around Rome and Utica, but they had members from every county community.

They were organized at Camp Huntington in July 1862.  This camp was located between Liberty and West Dominick streets, spanning west from Expense Street to Francis Street, about six city blocks.  Vamp Street is named after it and runs through the former camp site.

--Old B-Runner

Oneida County Answers the Call-- Part 1: 117th NY Infantry

From the July 11, 2017, Rome (New York) Sentinel  "Rome Historical Society artifacts and highlight area's Civil War history" by Mac Bullock.

155 years ago, Oneida County answered the call of duty.

The Civil War was in its 15th month and the 117th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment was mustered in in Rome August 1862.    This regiment played a major role in the capture of Fort Fisher.

Many expected the war to be over by Christmas.

Archival documents in the Rome Historical Society give an idea of the situation.

The 117th was also called the Fourth Oneida Regiment.  They were called to duty by New York Governor Edwin Morgan's call for volunteers.

--Old B-Runner