Robert W. Helms; Co H 1st USSS

johan_steele

Regimental Armorer
Retired Moderator
Joined
Feb 20, 2005
Location
South of the North 40
Every year on memorial day my Legion posts salutes the fallen within the prevue of our post. The man below is buried in one onf the cemetaries and I would like to be able to put some information together on him so it can be recorded in the post records. Any help would be greatly appreciated from those of you who are geneology junkies.

http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-...oldierId=DE1153A7-DC7A-DF11-BF36-B8AC6F5D926A

Helms , Robert W.
Battle Unit Name:
1st Regiment, US Sharpshooters (Regular Army)
Side:
Union
Company:
H
Soldier's Rank In:
Private
Soldier's Rank Out:
Private
Alternate name:
Robert W./Helmes
Film Number:
M1290 ROLL 1

http://bbcwr.us/Co H US_Sharpshooters.html
Co. H 1st US Sharpshooters
Company H was raised primarily from Long Island by George C Hastings. Recruits gathered in Brooklyn for the shooting test on September 16th and 17th (Friday and Saturday). After the shooting tests and the filling of the company's ranks, Company H was moved from New York City to Weehawken and finally to Washington D.C. November 1st.
With the winter thaw complete, the company moved with the regiment to Fortress Monroe, March 22nd aboard the transport ship Emperor. They arrived in Hamilton on the 25th. The regiment moved out for Yorktown April 1st. On April 4th they began reconnaissance missions. As the fighting began, Company H would move to the front of the line, and during the course of the fighting was moved to the rear and held in reserve. On May 18th they were relieved of duty and sent by steamer North. The Regiment arrived at the new camp May 21st. They were alerted for movement on the 27th, heading towards Hanover Court House Company H would distinguish themselves for using advanced tactics to find an enemy sharpshooter. They rigged a dummy soldier up and moved the dummy around until the Confederate fired a shot. Once they saw the puff of smoke from the Rebs rifle, they crawled forward and fired at the tree, killing the Confederate. Company H would be used for this purpose many times in the future. The regiment was moved back to camp and remained there until late June when the Seven Days Battle found the regiment moved towards the James River.
Company H was not heavily involved in Mechanicsville or Gaines Mill, but was involved in battle at Glendale on the 30th. Then marched overland starting in August, and the regiment was destined for Antietam. The 1stRegiment was held in reserve for the battle of Antietam, but did participate in the actions following. The Regiment went into camp as of October 3rd. The Regiment was scheduled to move, however the supply lines were disrupted by JEB Stuart and forced a delay in movement. On October 30th the troops broke camp and headed south toward Harpers Ferry. They stayed at Warrenton from the 9th to 16thof November.
For much of the battle of Fredericksburg, the 1st Regiment was held in reserve. They did participate in skirmish detail for much of the second day, however never were fully engaged. The following spring the army was camped in Chancellorsville while the army was changing commands. The regiment limped into Gettysburg but was able to assist in slowing the rebel advances on the second day.
After Gettysburg, Company H would take part in several battles. At Mine Run, Lt. Col. Casper Trepp, who was in charge of the 1st Regiment was killed. This left Captain Marble in charge of the regiment. Marble moved the 1stRegiment to Botts Farm in Brandy to establish winter quarters. After Grant had taken charge of the Armies, the First Regiment was assigned to Major Mattocks of the 17th Maine. Captain Marble remained as a field officer for the 1stRegiment.
The next major engagement was the Wilderness in May of 1864. The Regiment was used as skirmishers for the first two days. On the third day they were instructed to take a battery on the Orange Road. After the Wilderness, the Regiment was on the move toward Cold Harbor, when they encountered a heavy force at the Totopotomoy. The siege at Petersburg was to be one of the last campaigns for much of the Company. By this time the First Regiment was down to 175 men. Almost all of the field grade officers were no longer with the regiment. Company H was in reserve for the first battle at Harrisons Creek on June 16th, but fought at Hares Farm on the 18th. On the 24th Companies H and G were sent to try and disrupt Confederate Artillery. They were able to occupy abandoned rifle pits and kept the artillery silent for much of the day.
The First Regiments last fight was at Deep Run August 15-16th. Companies A, B, C were all mustered out. On September 16thof 1864, those in Company H that were able to be discharged were, and what was left of Company H was folded into Company D. Many of these soldiers would be discharged on November 22nd along with Company D. The remaining would be folded into Company C of the 2nd USSS. Those who were not discharged with the 2nd USSS, were transferred to Company H of the 124th NY. They were mustered out on June 3 1865. Still others were transferred from 124th to the 93rdNY they were mustered out June 29 1865.
According to statistics provided by a study done after the war, Company H had;
1 Officer Killed
6 Enlisted Killed
8 Died of Disease
10 Wounded
2 Missing
2 captured.
By far, company H had the lowest percentage of members who were casualties out of the First Regiment (Company D had one more casualty). The regiments total loss was 10% or 153 killed. The regiment suffered 546 total killed and wounded.
 
Every year on memorial day my Legion posts salutes the fallen within the prevue of our post. The man below is buried in one onf the cemetaries and I would like to be able to put some information together on him so it can be recorded in the post records. Any help would be greatly appreciated from those of you who are geneology junkies.

http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-...oldierId=DE1153A7-DC7A-DF11-BF36-B8AC6F5D926A

Helms , Robert W.
Battle Unit Name:
1st Regiment, US Sharpshooters (Regular Army)
Side:
Union
Company:
H
Soldier's Rank In:
Private
Soldier's Rank Out:
Private
Alternate name:
Robert W./Helmes
Film Number:
M1290 ROLL 1

http://bbcwr.us/Co H US_Sharpshooters.html
Co. H 1st US Sharpshooters
Company H was raised primarily from Long Island by George C Hastings. Recruits gathered in Brooklyn for the shooting test on September 16th and 17th (Friday and Saturday). After the shooting tests and the filling of the company's ranks, Company H was moved from New York City to Weehawken and finally to Washington D.C. November 1st.
With the winter thaw complete, the company moved with the regiment to Fortress Monroe, March 22nd aboard the transport ship Emperor. They arrived in Hamilton on the 25th. The regiment moved out for Yorktown April 1st. On April 4th they began reconnaissance missions. As the fighting began, Company H would move to the front of the line, and during the course of the fighting was moved to the rear and held in reserve. On May 18th they were relieved of duty and sent by steamer North. The Regiment arrived at the new camp May 21st. They were alerted for movement on the 27th, heading towards Hanover Court House Company H would distinguish themselves for using advanced tactics to find an enemy sharpshooter. They rigged a dummy soldier up and moved the dummy around until the Confederate fired a shot. Once they saw the puff of smoke from the Rebs rifle, they crawled forward and fired at the tree, killing the Confederate. Company H would be used for this purpose many times in the future. The regiment was moved back to camp and remained there until late June when the Seven Days Battle found the regiment moved towards the James River.
Company H was not heavily involved in Mechanicsville or Gaines Mill, but was involved in battle at Glendale on the 30th. Then marched overland starting in August, and the regiment was destined for Antietam. The 1stRegiment was held in reserve for the battle of Antietam, but did participate in the actions following. The Regiment went into camp as of October 3rd. The Regiment was scheduled to move, however the supply lines were disrupted by JEB Stuart and forced a delay in movement. On October 30th the troops broke camp and headed south toward Harpers Ferry. They stayed at Warrenton from the 9th to 16thof November.
For much of the battle of Fredericksburg, the 1st Regiment was held in reserve. They did participate in skirmish detail for much of the second day, however never were fully engaged. The following spring the army was camped in Chancellorsville while the army was changing commands. The regiment limped into Gettysburg but was able to assist in slowing the rebel advances on the second day.
After Gettysburg, Company H would take part in several battles. At Mine Run, Lt. Col. Casper Trepp, who was in charge of the 1st Regiment was killed. This left Captain Marble in charge of the regiment. Marble moved the 1stRegiment to Botts Farm in Brandy to establish winter quarters. After Grant had taken charge of the Armies, the First Regiment was assigned to Major Mattocks of the 17th Maine. Captain Marble remained as a field officer for the 1stRegiment.
The next major engagement was the Wilderness in May of 1864. The Regiment was used as skirmishers for the first two days. On the third day they were instructed to take a battery on the Orange Road. After the Wilderness, the Regiment was on the move toward Cold Harbor, when they encountered a heavy force at the Totopotomoy. The siege at Petersburg was to be one of the last campaigns for much of the Company. By this time the First Regiment was down to 175 men. Almost all of the field grade officers were no longer with the regiment. Company H was in reserve for the first battle at Harrisons Creek on June 16th, but fought at Hares Farm on the 18th. On the 24th Companies H and G were sent to try and disrupt Confederate Artillery. They were able to occupy abandoned rifle pits and kept the artillery silent for much of the day.
The First Regiments last fight was at Deep Run August 15-16th. Companies A, B, C were all mustered out. On September 16thof 1864, those in Company H that were able to be discharged were, and what was left of Company H was folded into Company D. Many of these soldiers would be discharged on November 22nd along with Company D. The remaining would be folded into Company C of the 2nd USSS. Those who were not discharged with the 2nd USSS, were transferred to Company H of the 124th NY. They were mustered out on June 3 1865. Still others were transferred from 124th to the 93rdNY they were mustered out June 29 1865.
According to statistics provided by a study done after the war, Company H had;
1 Officer Killed
6 Enlisted Killed
8 Died of Disease
10 Wounded
2 Missing
2 captured.
By far, company H had the lowest percentage of members who were casualties out of the First Regiment (Company D had one more casualty). The regiments total loss was 10% or 153 killed. The regiment suffered 546 total killed and wounded.

Not so much on Private Helms, but here's 3 officers from the 1st Sharpshooters mentioned in your written material. Do you have his year of birth ? If it's about 1848 I think I found he and his family in 1860





P1916921.gif


George C. Hastings

Residence was not listed; 31 years old.

Enlisted on 8/15/1861 at New York City, NY as a Captain.

On 10/4/1861 he was commissioned into "H" Co.
US Volunteers 1st SharpShooters
He was discharged on 10/31/1864


Promotions:
* Major 9/22/1862
* Lt Colonel 1/2/1864 (Revoked)
* Colonel 3/13/1865 by Brevet


Intra Regimental Company Transfers:
* 9/22/1862 from company H to Field & Staff
........................................................................................
P1916515.gif


Casper Trepp

Residence was not listed; 32 years old.

Enlisted on 8/20/1861 at New York City, NY as a Captain.

On 9/3/1861 he was commissioned into "A" Co.
US Volunteers 1st SharpShooters
He was Killed on 11/30/1863 at Mine Run, VA


Promotions:
* Major 12/1/1861 (Estimated date)
* Lt Colonel 9/22/1862


Intra Regimental Company Transfers:
* 12/1/1861 from company A to Field & Staff (Estimated Date)

P1796954.gif


Frank E. Marble

Residence Beloit WI;
Enlisted on 9/6/1861 at Madison, WI as a 1st Lieutenant.

On 9/6/1861 he was commissioned into "G" Co.
US Volunteers 1st SharpShooters
He was Mustered Out on 9/22/1864


He was listed as:
* Wounded 5/3/1863 Chancellorsville, VA (Wonded in knee)


Promotions:
* Capt 7/29/1862


After the War he lived in Syracuse, NY
..........................................................................................................
Pension File Index Card

Helms, Robert W.jpg
 
Last edited:
East Tennessee Roots; you did indeed find the man as he is buried at Brainard Iowa. Any information is useful as I have almost nothing.

Family #1295 in 1860 census of New Jersey. Robert W. is listed as 12 years old. Would still be just 16 -17 in 1864. Probably fibbed about his age ? Actual record is attached. His father, Robert C. His mother Mary A. He's the oldest in the family.

1880 Census with his wife & kids :

Name: Robert W. Helms
Age: 37
Birth Year: abt 1843
Birthplace: New York
Home in 1880: Pleasant Valley, Fayette, Iowa
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Arthalinda Helms
Father's Birthplace: Scotland
Mother's Birthplace: Vermont
Neighbors: View others on page
Occupation: Station Agent R. R.
Cannot read/write:

Blind:

Deaf and Dumb:

Otherwise disabled:

Idiotic or insane:

Expired Image Removed
View image
Household Members:
Name
Age
Robert W. Helms 37
Arthalinda Helms 32
Lulu Helms 4
Pearl Monnce 4
Joseph Monnce 17
 

Attachments

  • Helms Families 1860.jpg
    Helms Families 1860.jpg
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Last edited:
Thanks to Chris Schnupp for the following information.

Robert William Helms Robert was 22 when he enlisted from Essex, New York by W.W. Winthrop. His parents were John and Ann, John being born in Scotland. The value of their property in 1850 was $1,800 (US Census Bureau, 1850). He was sick at Gaines Mill and was sent to the US General Hospital at West Point, VA. He was then discharged in September of 1862, for disability from Baltimore Maryland. He moved to Fayette, Iowa with his wife Arthalinda and children: Lulu and Harley. He worked as a station agent for the railroad. In 1918, a woman named Sarah attempted to collect a widow’s pension, however it was not granted. According to the 1910 census, Robert was widowed, and a housekeeper was living with him by the name of Sarah Thompson (US Census Bureau, 1910). Robert passed on New Year’s Eve, 1912 and is buried in the Brainerd/Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Fayette County, Iowa.
 
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