gary
Major
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2005
No Word of Them: First Battalion New York Sharpshooters 1862-1865 by John E. Bennett. A relatively unknown unit, it didn't help that the First Battalion New York Sharpshooters never had a regimental history written in the postwar period. Nor does author Bennett attempts to write an academic work as he plainly stated in his foreword. Rather, Bennett's work consisted of transcribing the diaries of three of its men and with narrative written by him, presented them to the reader. In doing so, Bennett "'back out' and let them tell it in their words..." In addition, he provides a useful timeline of the battalion and draws from other published works including the Official Records to provide more insight into their history. Bennett was also thoughtful enough to include a muster roll that included the soldier's mustering in/out date and any notes pertaining to them. No doubt geneologists will find it useful. The book is also illustrated with photos of some of the men.
The First Battalion New York Sharpshooters helped defend Suffolk against Longstreet's quasi-seige. Late in joining the First Corps, they didn't fight at Gettysburg but were in time for the Bristoe Campaign and Mine Run. They also fought at the Wilderness, Laurel Hill, North Anna and Petersburg. It was at Weldon Rail Road that they, now reduced to slightly over fifty men, were captured. Still, enough men had been previously detailed out such that a handful could be assembled. You'll find plenty of famous men mentioned in the pages of No Word of Them including Henry Morrow (Iron Brigade), Michael Corcoran (Irish Brigade), Getty and others.
While not a book for everyone, it is a very useful book for anyone studying sharpshooting in the Civil War and for that I am very grateful for Mr. Bennett's work.
The First Battalion New York Sharpshooters helped defend Suffolk against Longstreet's quasi-seige. Late in joining the First Corps, they didn't fight at Gettysburg but were in time for the Bristoe Campaign and Mine Run. They also fought at the Wilderness, Laurel Hill, North Anna and Petersburg. It was at Weldon Rail Road that they, now reduced to slightly over fifty men, were captured. Still, enough men had been previously detailed out such that a handful could be assembled. You'll find plenty of famous men mentioned in the pages of No Word of Them including Henry Morrow (Iron Brigade), Michael Corcoran (Irish Brigade), Getty and others.
While not a book for everyone, it is a very useful book for anyone studying sharpshooting in the Civil War and for that I am very grateful for Mr. Bennett's work.
Bringing the