140th New York Infantry Regiment

• Colonel - Patrick H. O'Rorke, West Point Military Academy, Graduated 1st in class, June 1861.[1][6]
• Lieutenant Colonel - Louis Ernst
• Major - Isaiah Force[6]

The 140th NY left Rochester by train on September 19, 1862, en route to Washington DC after brief stops in Auburn, NY and Elmira, NY for fitting out and supply. The regiment first served in the Provisional Brigade, Casey's Division in the defensive fortifications around Washington, DC.[1]

The 140th NY was then transferred to the XII Corps, 2nd Division, 2nd Brigade of the Army of the Potomac by October 1862.[6]

In November, 1862 the regiment was reassigned to the V Corps, 2nd Division, 3rd Brigade of the Army of the Potomac.[2] From then on the 140th NY would remain with the V Corps of the Army of the Potomac and see action in, or be present in reserve at most of the major campaigns and engagements in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War until cessation of hostilities.[2]

The 140th NY first saw combat between December 12–15, 1862 at the Battle of Fredericksburg. After Fredericksburg, the regiment camped through December at Falmouth, VA.

The regiment participated in the Chancellorsville Campaign (April 27-May 6, 1863) seeing limited action at the Battle of Chancellorsville (May 1–5).[1][2] Losses at Chancellorsville were 21 total casualties (killed, wounded, missing or captured).[2]

In June, 1863 the three years men of the 13th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment were transferred to the 140th NY to replace losses.[1][2]

The regiment participated in the Gettysburg Campaign of June 11-July 24. It would engage in its first heavy action of the war during the crucial battle for Little Round Top at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. General Gouverneur K. Warren was putting together a desperate improvised defense of Little Round Top, which was protecting the Union Army's left flank. General Warren intercepted the 140th New York as it marched on the north slope of Little Round Top en route to support Sickle's III Corps in the wheatfields.[6] General Warren requested the 140th New York assist reinforcing Vincent's 16th Michigan Volunteer Infantry which was decimated and under heavy fire on the hill.[2] O'Rorke and his men obliged. Contemporary accounts note that Colonel Patrick "Paddy" O'Rorke, led the way with sword drawn and shouting, "Down this way, boys!". Without having time to load their weapons A Company and G Company filled in the right flank gap of the 5th Maine. O'Rorke shouted, "Here they are men, commence firing!". The 140th New York charged over the hill pushing back the 4th Texas Infantry and 5th Texas Infantry Regiments of the Texas Brigade.[2] Although the 140th New York was successful in assisting the defense of the Little Round Top, it cost the regiment 133 total casualties.[2] Colonel O'Rorke was among the dead, having suffered multiple bullet hits.[2][7] A marker commemorates the losses the 140th NY endured, including Col. O'Rorke, on Little Round Top at the Gettysburg battleground museum.[8]

"Col. O'Rorke was killed at Gettysburg while leading his men into action on Little Round Top, where their prompt action aided largely in seizing that important position - Colonel Fox."[2]

Following Gettysburg the 140th was present at the Bristoe Station Campaign, Second Battle of Rappahannock Station, and the Mine Run campaign to close out 1863, but were held in reserve or not involved in major action.[6]

In January 1864 during winter camp at Beverly Ford, VA the regiment was outfitted as Zouaves.[9] These flamboyant uniforms were patterned after elite French army units which had earned military glory in the 1850s, and they were awarded to the 140th NY in recognition of the regiment's seamless record.

In March 1864 the 140th NY was transferred to V Corps, 1st Division, 4th Brigade, Army of the Potomac.[1][6] An additional transfer followed in April 1864 when the regiment joined the 5th Corps, 1st Division, 1st Brigade of the Army of the Potomac.[6]

In March 1864 General Grant assumed command of all Federal forces and began the Overland Campaign, a relentless push through Virginia toward the Confederacy's capitol of Richmond, VA throughout that summer. The 140th New York participated in the Campaign from the Rapidan to the James Rivers. The course of this campaign included action in some of the most bloody and devastating battles of American Civil War including the Battle of the Wilderness, Battle of Spotsylvania Court House and Cold Harbor.[2] In the 39 days between May 5 and June 2 the 140th would incur 384 total dead, wounded, missing or captured.[10]

The heaviest losses the 140th New York would incur in a single battle were incurred during severe fighting in the Battle of the Wilderness between May 5–7, 1864. The 529 soldiers of the 140th NY led the opening of the battle with a charge across Saunders Field, and were among the first Union troops to engage the Confederacy in battle. The 140th took unsupported flank fire for over 30 minutes and sustained 255 total casualties.[10] Estimates of exact losses are 50 enlisted men, and 3 officers killed in action or died of wounds sustained during battle. A further 98 enlisted and 3 officers injured. 101 total personnel were reported missing or captured.[10] Captain Willard Abbott was counted among the wounded.

"The Regiment melted away like snow. Men disappeared as if the earth had swallowed them up." - Captain Porter Farley.[11]

Just three days later (May 8, 1864) the 140th was involved in heavy combat during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, participating in battle at Piney Branch Church, and Laurel Hill. The regiment suffered 60 additional casualties in total during the Battles of Spotsylvania Court House.[6][10] Among the dead were Colonel George E. Ryan and Major Milo L. Starks, killed in battle at Laurel Hill[2]

Further Actions in May 1864 included the reserve duty at the Assault on the Salient, Battle of North Anna River, and light action at the Battle of Totopotomoy, where Captain William Grantsyne was injured.

Heavy action continued in The Battle of Cold Harbor (Bethesda Church), where the 140th New York sustained an additional 60 total casualties.[6]

In June, 1864 the 140th New York was transferred to V Corps, 2nd Division, 1st Brigade[1][2] during the Siege of Petersburg. The regiment participated in first assault during the siege of Petersburg sustaining 22 total casualties, including Captain Benjamin Harmon among the wounded.

Throughout the summer and fall of 1864 the 140th New York Regiment participated in Battle of Weldon Railroad and Poplar Spring Church, where Lt. Colonel Elswell Otis was injured.[2]

Reinforcements arrived in October, 1864 as members of the 44th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, not mustered out or assigned to other regiments were transferred into the 140th New York.[1][2]

January 25, 1865 saw many officer promotions to fill the leadership ranks lost due to casualty from the 1864 campaign. Lieutenant Colonel Grantsyne was promoted to colonel, Major W. James Clark to lieutenant colonel and Captain Willard Abbott to major.[6]

Throughout 1865 the 140th New York was present or active in The Battle of Hatcher's Run, and participated in the Appomattox Campaign to close out the war.[2]

From May 1–12 the 140th New York marched to Washington DC, and participated in the Grand Review of May 23, 1865.

On June 3, 1865, the 140th Regiment was mustered out near Alexandria, VA under the command of Colonel W.S. Grantsyne, and Lieutenant Colonel W. James Clark.[2] The men not to be mustered out with the regiment were transferred to the 5th New York Veteran Infantry.[1] It is estimated fewer than 245 of the original 1000 men called to arms as the 140th New York Volunteers of Monroe County, NY answered its final call to muster.