 |
The 28th Georgia / 123rd New York Volunteer Infantry Resaca, Georgia Captain James Campbell, Commanding |
|
|
NewsletterBook Review by Bob Farrell,
|
|
“From the Cannon's Mouth:
|
Anyone interested in the 123rd New York Volunteers must read Rice C. Bull's wonderful narrative, “Soldiering.” Bull presents daily life of the northern soldier in equal fashion to southerner Sam Watkins' “Co. Aych.” Both renditions present the war from the prospective of the common foot-slogging soldier.
If one cares to follow the 123rd New York Volunteers from the prospective of a high ranking officer then one should turn to the letters written to his daughters by Brigadier General Alpheus Starkey Williams in “From the Cannons Mouth,” edited by Milo M. Quaife. These letters relate to Williams thoughts and actions while commanding the First Division of both the 12th and 20th Corps. The 123rd was always a part of the First Division, mostly the First Brigade, during their term of service.
While giving detailed descriptions of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Kolb’s Farm, Williams tells of the Corps movements through towns and villages that are not to be found in the records of the 123rd. However, you then can read descriptions of events that have a familiar ring if you have read of the 123rd. In reading Williams' letters you discover a whole new perspective of the 123rd’s movements during the war.
General Williams never rose above the rank of Brigadier General despite his superior combat record and in spite of the fact that he commanded the 12/20th Corps on at least eight separate occasions, not the least of which were days 2 & 3 of Gettysburg. Always at the front and amongst the men when the action was the thickest and always attentive to the needs of his men, it is not a wonder that he was warmly known as “Pap.” His horse, “Pug Ugly,” and “Pap” would always be warmly welcomed by his men.
This book is readily available in softback at $6 and the hardback 1959 original at $12. The description of which is:
About this title: Fifty-one years old when the Civil War broke out, Alpheus S. Williams was commissioned brigadier general of volunteers in the Army of the Potomac. These letters to his daughters, written in the most rigorous wartime circumstances, reveal the high-ranking officer's views on events from Bull Run to Georgia and the Carolinas to Gettysburg. He characterizes McClellan, Sherman, Hooker, and Meade; scorns a system of promotion that rewards grandstanders and press-kissers; and explodes in fury at the contractors whose graft cheats the soldiers of blankets and shoes in midwinter. He pities the people and animals thrust in the path of the cannon and is acutely attuned to the weather and landscape. Every line by Williams is stamped with intelligence and sensibility, and his combatant's view of the battle at Antietam is the most stirring in Civil War literature.
___________________
Bob Farrell has done extensive research on the 123rd New York regiment and may have additional information on members of the unit that is not found on this website. Mr. Farrell can be reached by e-mail at CWfan2@aol.com.
LCPL Cody Warren
Killed in Action in Iraq
 LCPL Cody Warren 1987-2006 |
It is with deepest sympathies that we report the passing of Cody Warren. Lance Corporal Cody Warren died on November 10, 2006 from injuries received in Iraq while serving with the U.S. Marines (sources close to Cody in Iraq reported that he was killed by a sniper). He was nineteen. Cody joined the Marines in 2005 and was a member of Battery M, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment. His unit departed for Iraq in September, 2006. Cody reenacted with the 28th Georgia from 2002-2005, where he participated at first as a fifer and then later as a rifleman when he was old enough to carry a musket. Cody will be buried in the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia. Please see our memorial page for a special tribute to Cody. |
"Flags of Our Fathers"
Our Company's 2nd National Flag Retired
at Resaca 2006
 2nd National Flag at the 1998 Battle of Jonesboro Reenactment  Flag Retirement Ceremony at the 2006 Battle of Resaca Reenactment |
At the 2006 Battle of Resaca Reenactment, the unit retired the company's 2nd National flag with a ceremony during morning colors. Pvt. Dennis Melville coordinated the effort and wrote the following which was read by Sgt. Major Chester Jackson: "While the sounds of war whispered in the wind, and the fife and drums echoed through the trees, as we wake in the morning. The bugle calls us to duty as our country's honor awaits our protection. Please take a moment to ponder these thoughts. For 22 years, five commanders, and over one hundred men from the southeast. She flew over battlefields of a war long past. Gun shots christened her to war, to remember her fallen followers and comrades, as bayonets have scared her and the arms of time have worn her colors from their former glory. She answers to everyone but belongs to no single soul, nor does she leave a comrade behind as she remembers all who have fallen in the rages of war. While she ages in time, she will always have her zeal and fortitude for her causes. As we all age, we have some feeling of loss, as she can no longer take the field above us. Though there will be colors to fill her void, they will never take her place in our hearts." After an honor volley was fired, "To the Colors" and "Taps" was sounded one last time. The flag was then folded and placed in a black cloth bag. |
Special Salute to Our Members in Iraq!
 SPC Jeff "Tadpole" Baker |
We want to offer a special hello to the heroes of our unit serving on active duty in Iraq. The picture at the left was sent to us recently and is of SPC Jeff "Tadpole" Baker on duty somewhere in Iraq. We're glad this tough looking soldier is on our side! Also in Iraq is SFC Joe Dyer. Please remember them in your thoughts and prayers and try to drop them a card or letter during the holidays. This is a particularly lonesome time for our troops and mail would mean so much to them. Their overseas addresses are as follows: HHC 1/108th Armor Scania APO AE 09372 SFC Joe Dyer Charlie 1/108th Armor Scania APO AE 09372 |
New 123rd New York Book!
"A Year in the Life of a Civil War Soldier -Lieutenant George Robinson's 1863"
by Edward C. Robinson & Tim Tefft
Greenwich Journal & Salem Press,
Greenwich, New York
|
The Greenwich Journal & Salem Press, Greenwich (Washington County) N.Y., has just published a book on Lt. George I. Robinson of the 123rd New York. The book is "A Year in the Life of a Civil War Soldier - Lieutenant George Robinson's 1863" by Edward C. Robinson & Tim Tefft. It includes Lt. Robinson's biography, the Robinson family and related family origins, and transcriptions of Lt. Robinson's 1863 Civil War diary and letters with the addition of the authors' comments and clarifications. The story and book brings together, in an amazing conjunction, a long lost single year Civil War diary, passed on to the Greenwich Journal over forty years ago; some recently discovered letters from Lt. Robinson to his wife found in the New York State Library; many Civil War era Cartes de Visite (CDVs)/photos of 123rd NYS Volunteer Infantry soldiers and others purchased and collected by Edward C. Robinson over recent years; and the discovery of the sword that likely belonged to George Robinson with the discussion of its purchase as cited in Lt. Robinson's diary. |
Even our very own 28th Georgia / 123rd New York reenacting group and website are mentioned in the book!
The book can be purchased from the Greenwich Journal and Salem Press by
contacting co-author Tim Tefft, at: Tim Tefft, PO Box 79, Greenwich, NY 12834. The price is $12, plus $2 postage.
Welcome Home!
|
We want to offer a huge welcome back to SPC Robert Hughes of A Co, 411 Eng Cbt BN (HVY), U.S. Army - otherwise known as Pvt. Bobby Hughes of the 28th GA / 123rd NY! Bobby is home safe and sound from his tour of duty in Iraq. Bobby says that he was in Iraq so long that food now doesn't taste right without having a little bit of sand in it. Ironically, that is how we always feel following the Battle of Olustee Reenactment. Rumor has it that Bobby missed reenacting so much that he had gotten involved in Babylonian Civil War reenacting, which consisted of a toga, sandals, sword, a Confederate battle flag, and singing Dixie in Arabic. Say it isn't so, Bobby! Welcome home! We are glad you are back! |
Please remember all of the others from our unit serving on active duty and the rest of the men and women of our armed forces. While we honor our past heroes, let's not forget our current ones.
|
|
© 2008 The 28th Georgia /
123rd New York Volunteer Infantry.
All Rights Reserved.