Camp Mirror, Wallet, and CDV of 1st Lieutenant William H. Warner, 101st New York Infantry, Lost Part of Left Hand at Second Manassas

Camp Mirror, Wallet, and CDV of 1st Lieutenant William H. Warner, 101st New York Infantry, Lost Part of Left Hand at Second Manassas - Inventory Number:  GRO 069

Grouping of Civil War items identified to William H. Warner, who enlisted in October 1861 as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 101st New York Infantry, and was promoted to 1st lieutenant in June 1862. During the regiment’s assault on the Deep Cut during the Second Battle of Manassas on August 29, 1862, a Minie ball struck Warner in the left hand, resulting in the amputation of his index and middle finger and part of his hand above the knuckles. The 101st New York sustained a 73 percent casualty rate at Second Manassas, only exceeded in any one battle by two other regiments in the Union Army. He was discharged due to his wounds in December 1862. 

Warner’s carte de visite depicts him standing with junior officer’s frock coat, kepi, sash, belt, and 1850 foot officer’s sword. The bottom is signed “Lieut. Warner”, and the image is back marked “LAZIER, 6 S. Salina St., SYRACUSE, N.Y.” Warner’s wallet is of fine brown leather embossed with eagle and anchor naval motifs. The interior is lined with red Moroccan leather with the scratched identification “Lt. Wm. H. Warner Co. C 101 Regt. N.Y.S.V.” The wallet measures 7” by 3 ½” and is soft and supple. Warner’s camp mirror measures 6 ¼” by 4 ¼” and is of heavy construction with thick glass and a durable wooden frame, with “W. H. WARNER 101 REGT N.Y. VOL.” 

Two books are included with the grouping. The 1898 History of the 101st Regiment by Lieutenant H. E. Ford includes two photographs of Warner, along with a short biography. On Campaign with the Army of the Potomac, edited by Stephen W. Sears, consists of the Civil War journal of Theodore Ayrault Dodge of the 101st New York. The lot is accompanied by extensive military and pension records on Warner. This is a great grouping of personal effects from a wounded New York officer. 

William H. Warner - 21 years old. Enlisted on 10/22/1861 at Canastota, NY as a 2nd Lieutenant. On 10/22/1861 he was commissioned into “D” Co. NY 101st Infantry. He was discharged for disability on 12/29/1862. Promotions: 1st Lieut 6/1/1862. Intra Regimental Company Transfers: 1/15/1862 from company D to company C.

NEW YORK ONE HUNDRED AND FIRST INFANTRY

One Hundred and First Infantry.-Cols., Enrico Fardella, George F.  Chester; Lieut-Cols., Johnson B. Brown, Gustavus Sniper; Majs. Gustavus Sniper, Samuel L. Mitchell.

This regiment, known as the Union brigade or Onondaga regiment, was organized at Hancock, Jan. 3, 1862, was recruited in the counties of Delaware, New York and Onondaga, and was mustered in from Sept. 2, 1861, to Feb. 28, 1862.  It left the state for Washington March 9, 1862, and in June was assigned to Kearny's famous division, 3d corps, with which it took part in the Seven Days' battles, fighting at Oak Grove, Glendale, and Malvern hill, with a loss during the campaign of 7 killed, 15 wounded and 22 missing.

On Aug. 14, the regiment marched with the 3d corps to Yorktown, whence it embarked for Alexandria, and proceeded from there to Warrenton Junction, where it was sent to reinforce Gen. Pope.  It was engaged at Groveton, the second Bull Run and Chantilly, sustaining a loss at Bull Run of 6 killed, 101 wounded, and 17 missing, a total of 124 out of 168 engaged, or over 73 percent.-a percentage only exceeded in any one battle by two other regiments in the Union Army.

It was active at the battle of Fredericksburg in December, losing 13 killed and wounded.  On Dec. 24, 1862, it was transferred to the 37th N. Y. infantry and the officers were mustered out.  The regiment lost during service 1 officer and 25 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded; 1 officer and 48 enlisted men died of disease and other causes; total, 2 officers and 73 enlisted men.

*To purchase this item directly with a credit card, please click on this link.

 Inventory Number:  GRO 069