James McCann
Residence was not listed;
Enlisted on 10/1/1861 as a Private.
On 10/1/1861 he mustered into "E" Co.
NY 69th Infantry
He was transferred out on 1/1/1864
(Estimated date of enlistment & transfer)
On 1/1/1864 he transferred into "53rd" Co.
Veteran Reserve Corps 2nd Battn
He was discharged on 10/24/1865
Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:
- New York: Report of the Adjutant-General 1893-1906
(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @
www.civilwardata.com
...................................................................................................................
NEW YORK
SIXTY-NINTH INFANTRY
(Three Years)
Sixty-ninth Infantry.-Cols., Robert Nugent, William Wilson;
Lieut.-Cols., James Kelly, James E. McGee, John Garrett, James J.
Smith; Majs., James Cavanagh, John Garrett, Richard Moroney.
The 69th, the 1st regiment of the Irish brigade, was the
outgrowth of the 69th militia (q. v.) and contained members from
New York city, Chicago, Ill., Brooklyn and Buffalo. It was
mustered into the U. S. service at New York city Sept. 7 to Nov.
17, 1861, for three years, and left for Washington on Nov. 18.
It was stationed at Fort Corcoran near Washington and became a
part of the Irish brigade under Gen. Meagher in December. At the
time of the general advance under Gen. McClellan in March, 1862,
the Irish brigade became the 2nd brigade, 1st division, 2nd
corps, and moved to the Peninsula in April after having its first
encounter with the enemy at Rappahannock Station, Va.
The part taken by the brigade in the siege of Yorktown was not
especially prominent, but its prompt action at Fair Oaks helped
to save the day, and during the Seven Days' battles it was
constantly in action, the 69th alone losing 208 in killed,
wounded and missing.
At the second Bull Run the division arrived too late for the
battle but at Antietam the Irish brigade was in the midst of the
fight at the "Bloody Lane," where the loss of the regiment was
196 in killed, wounded and missing out of 317 engaged. After the
battle the regiment was withdrawn to Charlestown, W. Va., and
then moved via Snicker's gap and Hartwood Church to
Fredericksburg, where it again suffered severely in the desperate
but unsuccessful assault on Marye's heights, the total loss being
128.
The winter was passed in camp near Falmouth; the regiment was
prominent in the Chancellorsville campaign and again at
Gettysburg; then fought at Auburn and Bristoe Station; shared in
the Mine Run campaign; and went into winter quarters near Brandy
Station.
The loss of the regiment was so severe that in June, 1863, it
became necessary to consolidate it into two companies. In Dec.
and Jan., 1863-64, a large number of these tried soldiers
reenlisted and upon their return from veteran furlough received
the addition of many new recruits, which insured the continuance
of the regiment in the field as a veteran organization.
The regiment bore a heavy part in the battles of the Wilderness
and Cold Harbor; lost heavily in the first assault on Petersburg;
remained in position before Petersburg during the long siege; was
active at the Weldon railroad, Strawberry Plains, Reams' station,
Hatcher's run and the Appomattox campaign, and was finally
mustered out at Alexandria, June 30, 1865.
The 69th lost the greatest number of men killed or wounded of any
of the New York regiments. It ranks 6th in total loss among all
the regiments in the Union army and 7th in percentage of loss to
total enrollment. The total number enrolled was 1,513, of whom
261 died from wounds and 151 from other causes, 63 dying in
prisons.
Source: The Union Army, Vol. 2, p. 101
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New York
SIXTY-NINTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY (VETERAN).
First Regiment, Irish Brigade.
(Three Years)
This regiment, Col. Robert Nugent, originally recruited
under special authority from the War Department, was turned
over to the state September 2, 1861, and organized in New York
city as one of the regiments of the Irish, or Meagher's,
Brigade, November 2, 1861. It was mustered in the service of
the United States for three years between September 7 and
November 17, 1861. A large number of the members of the 68th
Militia joined the regiment, on their return from their three
months' service, and the majority of the men were recruited in
New York city, Company D, however, principally at Chicago,
Ill.; Company F partly at Brooklyn, and K partly at Buffalo.
June 12, 1863, the regiment was consolidated into a battalion
of two companies, A and B. In February, 1864, this battalion
returned from its veteran furlough with six companies, A, B, C,
F, G and K; B and F being the former Companies B and A; the
others being newly organized. At the expiration of its term of
service, those entitled thereto were mustered out and the
regiment retained in service.
The regiment left the state, November 18, 1861; served at
Fort Corcoran, D. C., from November, 1861; in the Irish
Brigade, Sumner's Division, Army of the Potomac, from December,
1861; in the same, 2d, Brigade, Richardson's, 1st Division, 2d
Corps, Army of the Potomac, from March, 1862; and it was
honorably discharged and mustered out, under Colonel Nugent,
June 30, 1865, near Alexandria, Va.
Source: Phisterer, p. 2,694
Bringing the