Irish American Soldier's Last Letter


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Samuel Dexter Ludden

Residence was not listed; 24 years old.

Enlisted on 4/24/1861 at Batavia, NY as a 1st Sergeant.

On 5/13/1861 he mustered into "K" Co. NY 12th Infantry
He was Mustered Out on 5/17/1863 at Elmira, NY
(Prior service)

On 1/5/1864 he was commissioned into "L" Company 8th NY Heavy Artillery
He was Mustered Out on 6/5/1865 at Munson's Hill, VA


He was listed as:
* POW 8/30/1862 2nd Bull Run, VA
* Paroled 9/13/1862 Aiken's Landing, VA
* Exchanged 9/21/1862 Aiken's Landing, VA
* POW 6/22/1864 Petersburg, VA
* Returned 8/22/1864 (place not stated) (Having escaped the enemy)


Promotions:
* 2nd Lieut 9/3/1861
* 1st Lieut 10/22/1862
* Capt 1/5/1864
* Major 1/20/1865
- New York: Report of the Adjutant-General 1893-1906
- Union Blue: History of MOLLUS
- Official Records of the War of Rebellion
.....................................................................................................................
Hubert McNamara

Residence was not listed; 34 years old.

Enlisted on 8/28/1862 at Buffalo, NY as a Private.

On 11/19/1862 he mustered into "I" Co. NY 155th Infantry
He was Killed on 6/3/1864 at Cold Harbor, VA
- New York: Report of the Adjutant-General 1893-1906
........................................................................................................
Report of Maj. John Byrne, One hundred and fifty-fifth
New York Infantry, of operations May 13-June 12.

HDQRS. 155TH REGT. NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS,
August 7, 1864.
CAPT.: In compliance with Special Orders, No. 209,
headquarters Army of the Potomac, dated August 5, 1864, I would
respectfully report, for the information of the colonel commanding the
brigade, as follows:

The regiment forming part of the Irish Legion, stationed on the Orange
and Alexandria Railroad at Burke's Station, Va., broke camp on May
13, 1864, and was conveyed from Alexandria to Belle Plain by
transport, and marched from there to Spotsylvania
Court-House and joined the Army of the Potomac on May 17, when it
was immediately assigned to the Second Division, Second Corps, and
the legion of which it formed a part was designated as the Fourth
Brigade. On May 18 the regiment with the brigade and other troops took
part in the assault on the enemy's works in front of Spotsylvania
Court-House, but were repulsed. The regiment was placed on picket
duty that night, and on the evening of 19th rejoined the brigade with the
corps on the left of our line. The loss sustained by the regiment was 3
officers severely wounded, 8 men killed, 42 wounded, and 5 missing.
At 11 p. m. on the night of the 20th, the regiment with other troops left
our position in front of Spotsylvania Court-House and by a left-flank
movement arrived at Milford, crossed the bridge there at 1 p. m. on
21st, and 1 mile beyond took up position on hill and fortified it. Left
there on 23d at 7 a. m. and marched to the North Anna River. Arrived
on the banks of the river, 1 mile below the railroad bridge, at 4 p. m.
The regiment was at once placed on picket and some skirmishing
ensued. Crossed the river May 24, and the regiment, with the One
hundred and sixty-fourth New York Volunteers, was held as support tot
he balance of the brigade while engaged in the battle of this day. The
regiment has no casualties to report while operating on the banks of the
North Anna River. On the night of May 26 recrossed the North Anna,
and on the morning of the 27th took up the line of march in a
southeasterly direction, and on may 28 crossed the Pamunkey,
maneuvering in the neighborhood of the Topotomoy, building
breast-works, and in supporting on 31st to the First Brigade, of Second
Division. June 1, marched to Cold harbor, and on the 2d took up
position in breast-works in front of the enemy.

On June 3, at 4 a. m., the regiment formed line of battle, and in
company with other troops (the Sixty-ninth New York State National
Guard Artillery on the left and the Eighth New York Heavy Artillery on
the right) assaulted the enemy's works.
The regiment advanced within
50 yards of the enemy's works, but owing to a deep ravine which
intervened and the heavy fire from the enemy's breast-works, it was
impossible for the regiment to gain the works. The regiment, however,
held its ground for half an hour, returning the fire of the enemy
vigorously, and only fell back when it was found useless to remain. At
about 150 yards from the enemy's line the regiment halted and
established a new line on the crest of the hill, by using fence rails and
throwing up earth with bayonets and tin cups. The following day, when
supplied with entrenching tools, the breast-works were further
strengthened and made formidable. The regiment to the 12th of June
was employed doing duty in the breast-works and on picket, &c.

The casualties of the regiment at this place was 1 officer killed and 5
wounded, 12 men killed and 108 wounded, and 17 missing.*

I have the honor to be, captain, your obedient servant,

JOHN BYRNE,
Maj., Cmdg. Regt.

Capt. WILLIAM A. LA MOTTE,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

Source: Official Records
PAGE 462-67 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C. [CHAP. XLVIII.
[Series I. Vol. 36. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 67.]
......................................................................................................
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John Byrne

Residence was not listed; 22 years old.

Enlisted on 9/6/1862 at Buffalo, NY as a Captain.

On 12/5/1862 he was commissioned into "I" Co. NY 155th infantry
He was Mustered Out on 7/15/1865 at Washington, DC


He was listed as:
* Wounded 5/18/1864 Spotsylvania Court House, VA
* POW 8/25/1864 Reams' Station, VA (Paroled)


Promotions:
* Major 3/27/1863
* Lt Colonel 12/1/1863
* Colonel 1/1/1865 (Not Mustered)


Intra Regimental Company Transfers:
* 4/15/1863 from company I to Field & Staff
 
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