Chenango in the Civil War: The 76th Regiment New York State Infantry – “The Cortland Regiment”
Editor’s Note: In conjunction with the Chenango County Civil War Commemoration Project Team, The Evening Sun will present a monthly series chronicling items of local interest during the war between the states, compiled and written by a number of local history enthusiasts.
By Vicky House
Oxford Historian
This is part one of an article on a few of the men from Chenango County who served in the 76th Regiment.
Even before Abraham Lincoln’s call for 300,000 more men was announced in July 1862, the 76th Regiment NYS Infantry was formed in Cortland, NY.
Colonel Nelson W. Green, of Cortland, received authority to recruit a regiment of infantry in Cortland County, and commenced recruiting September 2, 1861, drawing men from surrounding counties which, eventually, included Chenango County. A total of 71 young men from this county served with 41 of those being from the Town of Pitcher.
The men of this regiment were proud of the suggestive numerals in their regimental title and, by their gallantry and patriotism, proved themselves worthy of the historic figures emblazoned on their colors. An example of their bravery was recorded in Camp Correspondence on July 6, 1863 when Wm. Mantayne wrote: “As soon as we got into Gettysburg, we were ordered to “double quick,” and soon brought up in line of battle about a quarter of a mile west of the village. The enemy was seen advancing upon us and we opened fire upon them immediately. Our Brigade was the only one up at this time; the 76th was leading the Brigade so we were the first in the fight. The enemy kept advancing upon us and outnumbered us so much as to out flank us on both right and left, and poured a tremendous cross fire into us.”
Their worst battles were at Gettysburg where they had 234 total casualties and at the Wilderness May 5-7, 1864 when they suffered 282 total casualties. Spotsylvania cost them 52 total casualties and battles around Petersburg cost them another 154 total casualties. The unit saw severe action in most of the Virginia campaigns fought by the Army of Virginia and Army of the Potomac from 1862 to the end when it was mustered out in January of 1865.
According to the Adjutant General’s Report, one of the young men who served with the 76th Regiment was Henry C. Sutton, age 19 years. He enlisted September 20, 1861, at Pitcher, to serve three years and was mustered in as a private of Co. B. on October 4, 1861. Henry was born March 4, 1844 to Lorenzo and Catherine Sutton. He was the second of seven children and the oldest of four sons. Even as a young farm boy, Henry felt it was his duty to serve his country and help support the family farm in Pitcher. He was a God fearing young man. From the time Henry left for war until his ‘discharge by death’, he wrote approximately 50 letters home to his family and friends. In Henry’s first letter dated September 29, 1861, it is obvious that he hardly ever left the farm let alone Chenango County. At first, the letters give the impression of a young boy sent off to camp for a few weeks. He writes: “i thought i would wright and let you know how i like the bisness i like it first rate wee are boarding bought a half a mile from camp wee have first rate fare we have fresh muton every meal and coffee and every thing enough wee have a camp made of boards it is battened all up now and wee have a stove i was on gard lasnight i like it first rate.” Henry’s letter goes on about his duties at camp, the other ‘boys’ and how much he already misses his family, friends and home. He signs his letters, “Henry Sutton” or “Henry C. Sutton” and requests that he be remembered in prayers in church and to anyone who asks about him. In the following months, Henry continues to write home asking his parents to ‘kiss the children forty times a day for me’, and pleads for more letters. In one letter, Henry wants to come home and help make maple syrup and show off his new uniform. However, he states that is God’s will and he doesn’t know when that will happen.
On August 6, 1862 at Camp near Fredericksburg, Henry writes home to his family giving them the latest news from camp. He writes about other ‘boys’ from home and friends who are in the hospital, who is back at camp and about the weather. Henry again asks that he be remembered and to tell the ‘children’ to be good. Henry informs his father that he hasn’t received his pay yet and is certain that the family is ‘near out of money’. He politely asks his father to send him $2 which he will make right when he draws his pay in about a month. The letter is signed from your friend and well-wisher and son H.C. Sutton to Lorenzo Sutton. It continues with, “No more only Please Write as soon. No more at present so good bye ‘til the next time, Henry C. Sutton.” On August 28, Henry is killed at Gainesville by a minnie ball to the head. Because Henry supported his family and the farm with his pay, his mother was able to collect a Mother’s Pension in 1879. Henry is buried in North Pitcher Cemetery next to his parents.
Rest in peace Henry C. Sutton – you are remembered.
The writer/researcher would like to thank Conrad Bush, a descendant of Henry C. Sutton, for his extensive work on the entire 76th Regiment.
By Vicky House
Oxford Historian
This is part one of an article on a few of the men from Chenango County who served in the 76th Regiment.
Even before Abraham Lincoln’s call for 300,000 more men was announced in July 1862, the 76th Regiment NYS Infantry was formed in Cortland, NY.
Colonel Nelson W. Green, of Cortland, received authority to recruit a regiment of infantry in Cortland County, and commenced recruiting September 2, 1861, drawing men from surrounding counties which, eventually, included Chenango County. A total of 71 young men from this county served with 41 of those being from the Town of Pitcher.
The men of this regiment were proud of the suggestive numerals in their regimental title and, by their gallantry and patriotism, proved themselves worthy of the historic figures emblazoned on their colors. An example of their bravery was recorded in Camp Correspondence on July 6, 1863 when Wm. Mantayne wrote: “As soon as we got into Gettysburg, we were ordered to “double quick,” and soon brought up in line of battle about a quarter of a mile west of the village. The enemy was seen advancing upon us and we opened fire upon them immediately. Our Brigade was the only one up at this time; the 76th was leading the Brigade so we were the first in the fight. The enemy kept advancing upon us and outnumbered us so much as to out flank us on both right and left, and poured a tremendous cross fire into us.”
Their worst battles were at Gettysburg where they had 234 total casualties and at the Wilderness May 5-7, 1864 when they suffered 282 total casualties. Spotsylvania cost them 52 total casualties and battles around Petersburg cost them another 154 total casualties. The unit saw severe action in most of the Virginia campaigns fought by the Army of Virginia and Army of the Potomac from 1862 to the end when it was mustered out in January of 1865.
According to the Adjutant General’s Report, one of the young men who served with the 76th Regiment was Henry C. Sutton, age 19 years. He enlisted September 20, 1861, at Pitcher, to serve three years and was mustered in as a private of Co. B. on October 4, 1861. Henry was born March 4, 1844 to Lorenzo and Catherine Sutton. He was the second of seven children and the oldest of four sons. Even as a young farm boy, Henry felt it was his duty to serve his country and help support the family farm in Pitcher. He was a God fearing young man. From the time Henry left for war until his ‘discharge by death’, he wrote approximately 50 letters home to his family and friends. In Henry’s first letter dated September 29, 1861, it is obvious that he hardly ever left the farm let alone Chenango County. At first, the letters give the impression of a young boy sent off to camp for a few weeks. He writes: “i thought i would wright and let you know how i like the bisness i like it first rate wee are boarding bought a half a mile from camp wee have first rate fare we have fresh muton every meal and coffee and every thing enough wee have a camp made of boards it is battened all up now and wee have a stove i was on gard lasnight i like it first rate.” Henry’s letter goes on about his duties at camp, the other ‘boys’ and how much he already misses his family, friends and home. He signs his letters, “Henry Sutton” or “Henry C. Sutton” and requests that he be remembered in prayers in church and to anyone who asks about him. In the following months, Henry continues to write home asking his parents to ‘kiss the children forty times a day for me’, and pleads for more letters. In one letter, Henry wants to come home and help make maple syrup and show off his new uniform. However, he states that is God’s will and he doesn’t know when that will happen.
On August 6, 1862 at Camp near Fredericksburg, Henry writes home to his family giving them the latest news from camp. He writes about other ‘boys’ from home and friends who are in the hospital, who is back at camp and about the weather. Henry again asks that he be remembered and to tell the ‘children’ to be good. Henry informs his father that he hasn’t received his pay yet and is certain that the family is ‘near out of money’. He politely asks his father to send him $2 which he will make right when he draws his pay in about a month. The letter is signed from your friend and well-wisher and son H.C. Sutton to Lorenzo Sutton. It continues with, “No more only Please Write as soon. No more at present so good bye ‘til the next time, Henry C. Sutton.” On August 28, Henry is killed at Gainesville by a minnie ball to the head. Because Henry supported his family and the farm with his pay, his mother was able to collect a Mother’s Pension in 1879. Henry is buried in North Pitcher Cemetery next to his parents.
Rest in peace Henry C. Sutton – you are remembered.
The writer/researcher would like to thank Conrad Bush, a descendant of Henry C. Sutton, for his extensive work on the entire 76th Regiment.
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