Chautauqua County & the American Civil War
An estimated 4,400 men from Chautauqua County fought in the war. Nearly 3,000 returned home.
Answering the Call
Chautauqua County answered the call to duty from the beginning of the Civil War. Soldiers from the county served in many volunteer units and regiments in the Union Army. Donald K. Ryberg Jr.'s book, Chautauqua County Regiments and Soldiers in the Civil War 1861-1865, indicates the 9th Cavalry, 49th Infantry, 72nd Infantry, and 112th Infantry had greater proportions of Chautauqua County men.
The 9th New York Cavalry
The 9th New York Volunteer Cavalry Regiment men assembled for training at Camp Seward, located on the south side of the village of Westfield, NY.
Read Their Letters & Certificates
The Chautauqua County Historical Society has scanned and transcribed the letters that these men sent home—and, in some cases, their discharge certificates. Use the links below to download the PDF.
A Forlorn Hope
Read the story of the 9th New York Cavalry at Trevillian Station, Va., June II, 1864.
The 49th New York Infantry
The 49th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment was mustered into service in Buffalo, NY, on September 18, 1861.
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Click below to download a PDF of Fred C. Barger’s photos, transcribed letters, and service certificates.
The 72nd New York Infantry
The 72nd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment fought with the Union Army during the American Civil War in the Chancellorsville Campaign, the Battle of Gettysburg, and the Overland Campaign. Men were recruited from several small towns and villages in Chautauqua County and other areas of New York state as well as New Jersey.
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The 112th New York Infantry
The Agricultural Fairgrounds, located at the southeast corner of Jamestown, NY, became Camp James M. Brown, the training camp for the 112th Regiment. The camp provided food, housing, and training for 2,100 men. Ten companies of 100 men each formed the 112th, but also training there were 10 companies forming the 154th and one company that would go to the 7th Sharpshooters. The regiment was initially commanded by Colonel Jeremiah C. Drake along with Lieutenant Colonel Frederick A. Redington and Major Elial F. Carpenter. Throughout the late summer of 1862, the men prepared for war. They left Jamestown via the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad on September 12, 1862, with only several weeks of training and without weapons.
On the Battlefield
Donald K. Ryberg Jr.'s book, Chautauqua County Regiments and Soldiers in the Civil War 1861-1865, indicates the 9th Cavalry, 49th Infantry, 72nd Infantry, and the 112th Infantry had greater proportions of Chautauqua County men.
“Chautauqua County furnished men to these New York volunteer units: the 15th Engineer Regiment; the 9th, 15th, and 22nd Cavalry Regiments; the 13th and 14th Artillery Regiments; the 7th and 8th Sharpshooter Companies; the 21st, 49th, 72nd, 90th, 100th, 112th, 154th, 179th, 183rd, 188th, and 194th Infantry Regiments. Doubtless there were other regiments in New York state, other states, the Navy, regular Army, and possibly the Marine Corps, in which men from Chautauqua County served,” wrote Ryberg.
Visit the New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center to search their records.
Civil War Muster Rolls
These records were compiled thanks to the work of CCHS staff, volunteers, and county historian Michelle Henry. To view and download the muster rolls, click below.