123rd Infantry Regiment Washington County Regiment History

 Mustered in: September 4, 1862 Mustered out: June 8, 1865 When it became known that McClellan's cam-paign before Richmond, in June and July, 1862, had resulted in complete disaster, President Lincoln issued a call for "three hundred thousand more." The whole country was greatly moved, and all felt that a mighty effort must be put forth to save the Union. This county was more deeply impressed than ever before. Something must be done! On the 22nd of July, a great war-meeting was held at Argyle, and this was followed by others in different parts of the county.War committees were appointed; one for the county at large and one for each town. They began work at once, and it was decided that Washington county should raise a regiment of her own. Recruiting commenced immediately. A camp was established at Salem and called Camp Washington. Before the middle of August the companies began to assemble, and by the 22nd the regiment was practically full. The companies were mustered in as soon as full, and were made up from the different towns as follows: Co. A, Greenwich; Co. B, Kingsbury; Co. C, Whitehall; Co. D, Fort Ann, Dresden, and Putnam; Co. E, Hartford and Hebron; Co. F, Argyle; Co. G, Whitecreek and Jackson; Co. H, Salem; Co. I, Cambridge and Easton; Co. K, Granville and Hampton. On the 4th of September, 1862, the regiment was mustered into the United States service as the 123rd New York Volunteer Infantry, and the next day was on the way to the front. It reached Washington on the 9th, where the men received their arms and equipment. The regiment was attached to Paul's Brigade, of Casey's Division. It moved to Arlington Heights and thence to Frederick, Md., and on the 3rd of October pitched camp in Pleasant Valley, two miles from Harper's Ferry. Here it was assigned to the 22nd Brigade (Brig.-Gen. Thomas L. Kane), 1st Division (Brig.-Gen. A.S. Williams), 12th Corps (Maj.-Gen. H.W. Slocum). During its service the regiment lost by death, killed in action, 2 officers, 40 enlisted men; of wounds received in action, 4 officers, 28 enlisted men; of disease and other causes, 95 enlisted men; total, 6 officers, 163 enlisted men; aggregate, 169; of whom 4 enlisted men died in the hands of the enemy.

The above is taken from New York in the War of the Rebellion, 3rd ed. Frederick Phisterer. Albany: J. B. Lyon Company, 1912).

                123rd NY Guidon                           New York State Monument

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