** ** 76th New York Infantry
Posted to the Project on 14 Jun 08
The 76th New York Infantry was known as the Cortland County Regiment; it was raised from the counties of Albany, Cortland, and Ostego in October 1861. It’s commander was Maj. Andrew J. Grover (1830-1863). Grover was an ordained Methodist minister at a church in Cortlandville. He was killed on July 1. Maj. John E. Cook (1829-1899), a carpenter in Middleburg, took command from Grover.
The rather simple regimental monument is located on the brigade’s battle line held on July 1, 1863.
The most interesting feature is probably the number 76 contained in the capstone. The Cortland County regiment suffered severe casualties fighting in this area on July 1.
76th New York Infantry
1st Corps, 1st Division, 2nd Brigade
Maj. Andrew J. Grover (1830-1863)
Engaged: 375; 32 killed, 132 wounded, 70 missing
Monument: Reynolds Avenue
Monument Specifications: Vertical, rectangular marker with apexed cap, topped with a disk insignia bearing the number 76, stands on a rough-hewn base. There a round State Seal relief on the sloped plinth in the front. It indicates the position first held by the 76th New York Infantry at about 10:30 A.M. July 1, 1863. The unit was flanked and forced to retire, then later advanced and held the position until the general retreat of the 1st Corps.
Dedication Date: July 1, 1888.
Sculptor/Artist/Company: Frederick & Field, fabricator.
Main Inscription: FIRE OPENED HERE/JULY 1ST 1863/AT 10 A.M./SECOND STAND AT/R.R. CUT/THIRD/AT CULP’S HILL/JULY 2D AND 3D.
Other Monuments & Markers: Stone position marker, Culp’s Hill summit.
Regimental History ~ Dyer’s Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
Organized at Courtland and Albany, N.Y., and mustered in January 16, 1862. Left State for Washington, D.C., January 17, 1862. Attached to 3rd Brigade, Casey’s Division, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1862. Wadsworth’s Command, Military District of Washington, to May, 1862. Doubleday’s Brigade, Dept. of the Rappahannock, to June, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 3rd Corps, Pope’s Army of Virginia, to September, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to January, 1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Army Corps, to March, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Army Corps, to March, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 5th Army Corps, to August, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 5th Army Corps, to September, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 5th Army Corps, to January, 1865.
SERVICE.–Duty in the Defenses of Washington D.C., until May, 1862. Duty at and near Fredericksburg, Va., until August. Pope’s Campaign in Northern Virginia August 16-September 2. Fords of the Rappahannock August 20-23. Battles of Gainesville August 2 Groveton August 29, Bull Run August 30. Maryland Campaign September 6-22. Battles of South Mountain September 14; Antietam September 16-17. At Sharpsburg, Md., until October 29. Advance to Falmouth, Va., October 29-November 19. Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15. “Mud March” January 20-24, 1863. At Falmouth and Belle Plains until April 27. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Operations at Pollock’s Mill Creek April 29-May 2. Battle of Chancellorsville May 2-5. Gettysburg (Pa.) Campaign June 11-July 24. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Pursuit of Lee to Manassas Gap, Va., July 5-24. Duty on line of the Rappahannock until October. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Demonstration on the Rapidan February 6-7, 1864. Campaign from the Rapidan to the James River May 3-June 15. Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7; Laurel Hill May 8; Spottsylvania May 8-12; Spottsylvania Court House May 12-21. Assault on the Salient May 12. North Anna River May 23-26. Jericho Ford May 23. On line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Cold Harbor June 1-12. Bethesda Church June 1-3. Before Petersburg June 16-18. Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to January 28, 1865. Weldon Railroad August 18-21, 1864. Poplar Springs Church September 29-October 2. Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher’s Run, October 27-28. Hicksford Raid December 7-11. Companies mustered out as follows: Companies “B,” “F” and “K” July 1, 1864; Company “A” October 11; Company “G” October 20; Company “C” November 8; Company “E” November 18; Company “I” December 1, 1864; Company “H” January 1, 1865; Company “D” and Veterans and Recruits transferred to 147th Regiment, New York Infantry, January 28, 1865. Regiment lost during service 12 Officers and 161 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 156 Enlisted men by disease. Total 330.