About this item
Highlights
- The 115th New York began as part of the largest surrender of U.S. troops before World War II and ended as part of the largest successful amphibious landings of U.S. troops before World War II.
- About the Author: Civil engineer Mark Silo lives in Loudonville, New York.
- 312 Pages
- History, United States
Description
About the Book
The 115th New York began its military career as part of the largest surrender of U.S. troops to take place before World War II and ended its career as part of the largest successful amphibious landings of U.S. troops before World War II. In between, it traveled a fighting odyssey through the American Civil War that is unique among Union regiments. Not only did it fight mainly in theaters and battles unknown to all but the most serious Civil War student, but it endured mass arrest and banishment by its own army and a cabal of its own officers against its commander. In earning distinction as one of "Fox's Fighting 300" Union regiments, the 115th fought in obscure campaigns along the Southern coast, joined briefly in the famous combat between Grant and Lee in Virginia, fought alongside African American units, witnessed the liberation of thousands of slaves and captured Union soldiers, and ended up campaigning with William T. Sherman's western army.Book Synopsis
The 115th New York began as part of the largest surrender of U.S. troops before World War II and ended as part of the largest successful amphibious landings of U.S. troops before World War II. In between, its odyssey through the American Civil War is unique among Union regiments. Not only did it fight mainly in theaters and battles unknown to all but the most seriously well informed, but it endured mass arrest and a conspiracy of its own officers against its commander. In earning distinction as one of "Fox's Fighting 300" Union regiments, the 115th fought in campaigns along the Southern coast, joined briefly in the famous combat between Grant and Lee in Virginia, fought alongside African American units, witnessed the liberation of thousands of slaves and captured Union soldiers, and ended up with William T. Sherman's western army.
The soldiers of the 115th New York were common men from Saratoga County, the Mohawk Valley, and Adirondack Mountain areas of New York State. The author uses the words and recollections left by 67 of these men and a great amount of source material; the result, states National Park Service historian John J. Hennessy, is "Truly exceptional...both excellent history and engaging narrative."
Review Quotes
"a masterfully written study of a regiment that deserves to be better known...an important study...well-written and informative"-Civil War News; "an exemplary regimental history of the 115th New York...Silo tells the story of this regiment with great skill, compassion, and insight. Potential writers of regimental histories should obtain a copy of this book if only to see how it ought to be done. Silo well deserves a bow in the spotlight for his accomplishment in kneading all this material into a book that is a pleasure to read and to review"-North & South; "splendid"-North Carolina and the Civil War blog.
About the Author
Civil engineer Mark Silo lives in Loudonville, New York.