Union Veterans Reserve Corps

[SpanishFort]

I am researching an ancestor who served in 4 Co, 2 Battalion Veteran Reserve Corps (transferred from 161st NY Infantry on July 27, 1863). Can anyone point me in the right direction to learn more about this unit? I am interested in knowing where this unit was stationed in 1863, particularly the summer of 1863. I was told this UVC battalion guarded the railroads.

Any research suggestions?

 

[RedRover]

I am researching an ancestor who served in 4 Co, 2 Battalion Veteran Reserve Corps (transferred from 161st NY Infantry on July 27, 1863). Can anyone point me in the right direction to learn more about this unit? I am interested in knowing where this unit was stationed in 1863, particularly the summer of 1863. I was told this UVC battalion guarded the railroads.

Any research suggestions?

The 4th Company, 2nd Battalion, V.R.C. was originally Company G of the 10th Regiment, V.R.C. in 1863.
From page 45 of the "Official Army Register" (1867).

.....

P. 74...

P. 118... the 4th Company, 2nd Battalion was transferred to the 5th Independent Company, Veterans Reserve Corps in 1865:

Official Army Register of the Volunteer Force of the United States Army for the Years 1861, '62, '63, '64, '65 ...: Territories of Washington, New Mexico, Nebraska, Colorado, Dakota; Veteran reserve corps, U.S. veteran volunteers (First army corps),

www.google.com

 

[SpanishFort]

The 4th Company, 2nd Battalion, V.R.C. was originally Company G of the 10th Regiment, V.R.C. in 1863.
From page 45 of the "Official Army Register" (1867).

View attachment 533392
.....

View attachment 533393


P. 74...
View attachment 533390

P. 118... the 4th Company, 2nd Battalion was transferred to the 5th Independent Company, Veterans Reserve Corps in 1865:

View attachment 533391

Official Army Register of the Volunteer Force of the United States Army for the Years 1861, '62, '63, '64, '65 ...: Territories of Washington, New Mexico, Nebraska, Colorado, Dakota; Veteran reserve corps, U.S. veteran volunteers (First army corps),

www.google.com

Much obliged. Any suggestions on where I can find where they were stationed in the summer of 1863?

 

[BCS1973]

Much obliged. Any suggestions on where I can find where they were stationed in the summer of 1863?

does this help?

Services Performed by the Invalid Corps – 10th Regiment

These posts are part of a larger series highlighting the contributions and accomplishments of the Invalid Corps/Veteran Reserve Corps during the Civil War. This post only captures some of the activ…

invalidcorpsfilm.nrbrown.com

 

[Stryker65]

@SpanishFort here is some information that may help about the organization of the unit:

Do you know where he enlisted (in the VRC)?

Unfortunately, the 4th Company in particular does not appear in the Official Records. However, it is known that during 1863, all Invalid Corps companies were in the process of organization, and were not officially sent out in garrison duties until 1864. If your soldier was transferred to the Second Battalion, he was unfit for field service, and was only given a sword and a revolver. Additionally, the Second Battalion was composed of (at its peak) 174 companies, so you would have to look for the company individually to find any record of its service.

 

[SpanishFort]

Thank you!!

 

[SpanishFort]

Evidently, my ancestor was assigned to rail line in his role with the UVC.

 

[lupaglupa]

How cool that you found that certificate!

 

[SpanishFort]

I take it UVC also worked on the military rail lines?

 

[Stryker65]

I take it UVC also worked on the military rail lines?

Unlikely. More likely, they were railway guards. Being that troops of the Second VRC Battalion were those who were not fit for field duty in any way (hence, perfect for sitting on a train as "guards"), I would think that it would be uncommon for light-duty men such as these to have worked on the railroads. Perhaps your ancestor was a sort of orderly, secretary or otherwise who was detailed to the Railroad Service during the war.

(There were occasions, however, in which some soldiers of the VRC would in fact return to service for periods of time -- however, these men were more likely to be officers)

 

[SpanishFort]

Unlikely. More likely, they were railway guards. Being that troops of the Second VRC Battalion were those who were not fit for field duty in any way (hence, perfect for sitting on a train as "guards"), I would think that it would be uncommon for light-duty men such as these to have worked on the railroads. Perhaps your ancestor was a sort of orderly, secretary or otherwise who was detailed to the Railroad Service during the war.

(There were occasions, however, in which some soldiers of the VRC would in fact return to service for periods of time -- however, these men were more likely to be officers)

My ancestor was transferred to the invalid corps late July 1863 from the 161st NY. He was assigned to the railroads as a "brakeman." My understanding his assignment to the VRC was on the rails...see documents below, appreciate any thoughts?

 

[Stryker65]

I find it interesting that Beekman (did I spell that right?) is listed as "Mr." in the first document, not as "Pvt."

I am beginning to think that after his transfer from the 161st to the VRC, he was then transferred to the Military Railroads bureau. IIRC, it was not uncommon for soldiers to operate as permanent workers of the USMRR. Herman Haupt wrote a paper on the Railroads in Battles and Leaders volume 5 or 6, so I'll try to look into that.

 

[SpanishFort]

I find it interesting that Beekman (did I spell that right?) is listed as "Mr." in the first document, not as "Pvt."

I am beginning to think that after his transfer from the 161st to the VRC, he was then transferred to the Military Railroads bureau. IIRC, it was not uncommon for soldiers to operate as permanent workers of the USMRR. Herman Haupt wrote a paper on the Railroads in Battles and Leaders volume 5 or 6, so I'll try to look into that.

THANK YOU! This is helpful

 

[Stryker65]

THANK YOU! This is helpful

General Haupt unfortunately resigned around the time of your ancestor's transfer, so I was unable to find out anything on the railroad corps he organized.

 

[rpkennedy]

Are you also related to the John Beekman of the 161st? He was 5 years older than Isaac and enlisted on the same day and place as Isaac. Brothers perhaps?

Ryan

 

[SpanishFort]

Yes. That was his brother.