Identification Stencil, George Norton West, 77th New York Infantry
Tin identification stencil, privately purchased and used to mark a soldier’s personal effects and equipment, owned by George Norton West of the 77th New York Infantry. West enlisted in September 1861 and mustered out in December 1864. He became completely blind later in life and was one of the last Civil War veterans in the town of Lewis, New York upon his death in 1933. The stencil is non excavated and measures 2 1/2'” by 2” with some slight bends. Accompanying the stencil is a binder with additional genealogical information and history on West. The 77th New York was engaged at the Seven Days Battles, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Overland Campaign, Monocacy, Fort Stevens, the 1864 Valley Campaign, and Petersburg.
George N. West - 21 years old. Enlisted on 9/16/1861 at Westport, CT as a Private. On 10/15/1861 he mustered into "A" Co. NY 77th Infantry. He was Mustered Out on 12/13/1864 at Saratoga, NY.
NEW YORK SEVENTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY (Three Years)
Seventy-seventh Infantry.-Cols., James B. McKean, Winsor B. French, David J. Caw; Lieut.-Cols., Joseph C. Henderson, Samuel McKee, Winsor B. French, Nathan S. Babcock, David J. Caw, Isaac D. Clapp; Majs., Selden Hetzel, Winsor B. French, Nathan S. Babcock, David J. Caw, Isaac D. Clapp, Charles E. Stevens.
The 77th, known as the Saratoga regiment, was composed of companies from Westport, Ballston, Saratoga, Wilton, Keeseville and Gloversville, and was mustered into the service of the United States at Saratoga, Nov. 23, 1861, for three years. It left New York Nov. 28, for Washington, was assigned to the 3d brigade of Casey's division; served in the defenses of Washington during the winter; in March, 1862, with the same brigade, became a part of Smith's division, 4th corps, and served on the Peninsula.
It was active at Yorktown, Williamsburg, Mechanicsville and in the Seven Days' battles, and in May was assigned to the 3d brigade, 2nd division, 6th corps with which it served throughout the war. After a short time in camp at Harrison's landing the regiment entered upon the Maryland campaign; was present at Crampton's gap and met its first heavy loss at Antietam, where 32 were killed, wounded or missing.
Moving by slow stages the troops reached Fredericksburg in time for the battle but were not assigned to a prominent position. At Chancellorsville the regiment joined in the gallant and successful assault on Marye's heights and lost 83 in killed, wounded and missing.
At Gettysburg it was not closely engaged and proceeded from that battlefield to Fairfield, Pa., Antietam, Marsh Run, Funkstown, Williamsport and Chantilly. It shared in the capture of prisoners made by the6th corps at Rappahannock Station in November, and participated in the Mine Run fiasco. During December and January a large number of the 77th reenlisted and the regiment took the field at the opening of the Wilderness campaign with many new recruits.
At the Wilderness 66 were reported killed, wounded or missing, and in the remaining days of that week the loss of 107 was suffered by the regiment in the close fighting at Spottsylvania and other points in the immediate vicinity. The regiment was also active at Cold Harbor, then moved with the 6th corps to Petersburg and served in the trenches until July, when the corps was hurried to Washington and met Gen. Early at Port Stevens, with a loss of 20 men.
In the pursuit of Early in the Shenandoah Valley, and the battles of Charlestown, the Opequan, Fisher's hill, Cedar Creek and Winchester, the regiment took a prominent part, returning to Petersburg in December. The original members of the regiment not reenlisted were mustered out on Dec. 13, 1864, the remainder having been consolidated into a battalion of five companies on Nov. 19.
In the action at Fort Stedman, the final assault, April 2, 1865, and the Appomattox campaign, the battalion was active and, returning to Washington after Lee's surrender, was mustered out in that city, June 27, 1865. During its term of service the regiment lost 108 by death from wounds and 176 by death from disease and other causes.
Comes housed in a display case with black velvet backing and descriptive card.
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