Reviews of books about the 121st New York Volunteer Regiment.

121st New York....fact...."This distinguished regiment is included as one of William F. Fox's (circa 1889) top 300 Union Fighting Regiments."

121st New York, "Report of the Gettysburg Monument Commission of the One Hundred and Twenty-first New York Volunteers," by Lieutenant Colonel J.W. Cronkite. Originally published in 1889, at Cooperstown, New York, this extremely rare regimental history, which includes unit photos as well as General Upton, if located, could cost around $ 600.00.

121st New York, "History of the One Hundred and Twenty-first New York Volunteer Regiment," by Isaac O. Best. Reprint edition of one of the rarest of all regimental histories. This unit served in the Sixth U.S. Army Corps from Antietam to Appomattox and ranked very high in terms of killed and wounded. During the Civil War, the 121st New York Regiment captured seven Confederate colors and took more prisoners than its own total combined enrollment. This new reprint edition contains an introduction by Joseph S. Covals, which covers material not discussed by the author, including data on uniforms and Upton's role in molding the regiment. Organized at Herkimer, NY, from companies raised in the 20 Senatorial District--Otsego and Herkimer Counties. It was mustered into service on August 23, 1862, and the next week started for the scene of active operations, it was immediately ordered to join General George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac, then in Maryland, and it did so in time to witness the fighting at Crampton's Gap. It was assigned to Bartlett's Brigade, Brook's Division, 6th US Army Corps, in which command (2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 6th US Army Corps) it served the entire service. The regiment faced a terrible fire at Salem Church, VA, where it lost 48 killed, 173 wounded, and 55 missing; total, 276, out of 453 officially reported as present. The missing ones were mostly all killed or wounded, and the loss was the heaviest sustained by any regiment in that battle. Colonel Upton was an officer of rare ability, and the regiment, which was comprised of unusually good material, soon became, under Upton's care, a very efficient one. In the battle of Spotsylvania, May 10th, Colonel Upton commanded, and led in person, an assaulting column of 12 picked regiments belonging to the 6th Corps, the 121st being placed in advance, an honor which cost it dearly. Its losses at Spotsylvania amounted to 49 killed and 106 wounded; none missing. The regiment captured four flags at Rappahannock Station, and two at Sailor's Creek. Its casualties at the Wilderness were 15 killed, 37 wounded, and 21 missing; and at Cedar Creek, 10 killed, 42 wounded, and 5 missing. General Wright commanded the division at the Wilderness; General Russell at the Opequon; and General Wheaton at Cedar Creek. Originally published in 1921, this 1996

reprint, 288 pages, photos, roster, cost $ 35.00.

121st New York, "A Surgeon's Civil War: The Letters and Diary of Daniel M. Holt, M.D.," edited by James M. Greiner, Janet L. Coryell, and James R. Smither. Daniel M. Holt was the assistant surgeon of the 121st New York, joined the service in the summer of 1862 and witnessed the war with the Army of the Potomac until he retired on account of poor health in the fall of 1864. From his unusual vantage point, Holt wrote his wife about his experiences as a medical officer, both on the battlefield and in camp.....Holt's letters survived through his own forethought. As he was dying of tuberculosis contracted in the army, Dr. Holt copied all of his letters and diary entries so that his children could read them and learn of their father's wartime service. Holt's daughter, in turn, donated the transcribed material to a New York historical society in 1930, where they remained until James M. Greiner, one of the editors, uncovered them. In a successful collaboration, Greiner and two other editors, Coryell and Smither, have brought Dr. Holt's war to late 20th century readers. The editors have crafted a fine account with chapters, introductions, footnotes, maps, and photograph while fully retaining the flavor of Dr. Holt's original composition. No doubt, the good doctor himself would be pleased to know that his intent has been faithfully executed 130 years later. (reviewed by Kevin Conley Ruffner, Washington, DC, for "Civil War" magazine). 1994 release, 289 pages, photos, cost $ 28.00.

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