Charles J. LaRocca is a retired high school and college level history teacher who founded a student research and reenactment group based on the 124th New York. He has published articles and two books and lives in Montgomery, New York. His most recent work is The 124th New York State Volunteers in the Civil War: A History and Roster, which is really more than just a book for Mr. LaRocca,…

Union soldiers BY FAR marched off to war in 1861 & 1862 to defend the Union, preserve it, and defend the constitution and this is not any more demonstrated than in Civil War era patriotic (Union) letter envolopes. Let the Sword of the Union first subdue the monster Secession, then the Dove of Peace may present the olive branch and the sun of prosperity will shine again. Description: A hand…

We are looking for the person who won the auction for William Boardman Reed collection. We are very interested in the 20 page letter concerning his adventures at Fort Rice. If you happen to have information please contact us. In the last days of the Civil War, William Boardman Reed, a veteran of the famed 2nd Wisconsin Infantry, was commissioned as Lieutenant of Co. I, 50th Wisconsin Infantry, the last…

Back in April while doing some research on the 50th Wisconsin Infantry I am across some interesting documents concerning what we know as “Galvanized Yankees.” I mentioned here the availability online of the Frontier Scout Newspaper, published in 1865 & 1866 at Fort Rice (and briefly at Fort Union), Dakota territory. The 1st U.S.V.I. was a “galvanized” unit recruited at Point Lookout prison camp from January to April 22, 1864….

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Some incredible content from a Confederate soldier in the 39th Georgia Infantry near Vicksburg in March, 1863. At this time Grant was flailing as he attempted to get at Vicksburg. He conducted a series of attempts to circumvent the Mississippi or construct alternative water pathways so as to get at Vicksburg. When Grant finally makes it south of Vicksburg and moves in on the fortress city, one can’t help but…

Letter to and un-known Civil War soldier: Chelsea, Apr. 7, 1862 Dear Nephew, For a few moments I am again to write you a few lines. We have not been very well. We have had bad colds and some sore mouths, but we hope this will find you in good health and good spirits. Mary, Adeline, and Frank have just gone from here. They are all well. I have got…

I found the following in a Wisconsin Regiments Reunion publication and was fascinated by this particular Captains reflection of his black soldiers. Captain Ira B. Reynolds quotes from his diary as he reflects years later about the incidents described. I do not believe its been published since? Ira B. Reynolds started out as a private, Company E, 3d Wisconsin Vols., and eventually ended up with the Forty Third U.S. Colored…

I just finished reading Charles J. LaRocca’s book The 124th New York State Volunteers in the Civil War: A History and Roster, (McFarland, 2012). An ancestor of mine, Charles Weygant wrote one of the better (19th Century) regimental histories in 1877 covering the regiment, but a modern updated history has been in order for some time and LaRocca nicely fills that need. The 124th took part in the some of…