George McClellan Identification Disk of William G. Whiting 16th Massachusetts Infantry, Battle of Gettysburg Veteran / SOLD

George McClellan Identification Disk of William G. Whiting 16th Massachusetts Infantry, Battle of Gettysburg Veteran - Inventory Number:  IDE 210 / SOLD

Civil War Identification disk bearing the likeness of George McLellan and the legend “MAJOR GENERAL Geo B. McCLELLAN / WAR OF 1861.” The reserve is stamped “WM. G. WHITING CO. H. 16th REG. MASS. V. WALTHAM. MASS.”  William G. Whiting enlisted in June 1861 as a private in the 16th Massachusetts Infantry. He was present in every major engagement of the regiment from Fair Oaks to Petersburg. At the Battle of Gettysburg, Whiting was engaged along the Emmitsburg Road near the Klingle farm, where the regiment lost 81 out of 307 officers and men engaged. From September 1863 to April 1864 he served on detached service with the Ambulance Corps. The identification disk measures 1 1/8” and has an uncleaned brass patina with traces of gold wash in recessed areas. Accompanying the disk is an original, late 1880s 5 ½” by 9” cabinet card photograph of the 16th Massachusetts Monument, taken by the famous Gettysburg photographer William H. Tipton. A fine addition to an identified relic or Gettysburg collection. 

William G. Whiting - Residence Waltham MA; a 23-year-old Machinist. Enlisted on 6/29/1861 at Waltham, MA as a Private. On 6/29/1861 he mustered into “H” Co. MA 16th Infantry. He was Mustered Out on 7/27/1864 at Boston, MA. Other Information: BVorn 1/25/1838 in Concord, MA. Member of GAR Post # 29 (F. P. H. Rogers) in Waltham, MA

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY THREE YEARS

The 16th Regt. Mass. Vol. Inf. was made up of companies recruited in Middlesex County in April and May, 1861. By Special Order of June 17, 1861, it was ordered to assemble at Camp Cameron, North Cambridge, on the 2d of July. Its companies were mustered in on various dates between June 29 and July 12, with Powell T. Wyman, a West Point graduate, as its colonel.It left the State August 17, and was in camp near Baltimore, Md., until Sept. 1, on which date it removed to Hampton, Va., where it was in camp during the autumn and winter of 1861-62.

In May, 1862, it was posted temporarily at Gosport Navy Yard and at Suffolk, Va., and on June 12 joined the Army of the Potomac near Fair Oaks. It there formed a part of Grover's Brigade, Hooker's Division, Heintzelman's (3d) Corps. It was engaged with heavy loss on the Williamsburg Road, June 18, and took part in the battle of Oak Grove, June 25. In the Seven Days fighting the 16th was heavily engaged at Glendale, June 30, losing its commander, Col. Wyman. Transferred to Alexandria during the last of August, it proceeded with its corps to the vicinity of Warrenton, Va. In the 2d Bull Run campaign, on August 29 it was in the charge of Grover's Brigade on the Confederate position at the famous railroad embankment near Groveton, losing heavily.

After this campaign the regiment remained in or near the defenses of Washington until November. About this time Gen. Carr succeeded Gen. Grover in command of the brigade. After the battle of Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862, where the 16th was not heavily engaged, it went into winter quarters near Falmouth. At Fredericksburg it suffered one notable loss in the death of Chaplain Fuller who had resigned and was about to depart for home but went into the fight as a volunteer and was killed.

At Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863, as a part of Carr's Brigade, Berry's Division, Sickles' (3d) Corps, the 16th was heavily engaged, suffering severe loss. At Gettysburg, July 2, it suffered still more heavily while defending the line of the Emmittsburg road. Gen. Berry having been killed at Chancellorsville; Gen. Humphreys now commanded the division.

In the fall of 1863, the regiment was active in the operations near the Rappahannock and Rapidan and in late November participated in the Mine Run campaign. The winter was spent in camp near Brandy Station.

When the 3d Corps was broken up in the spring of 1864, the 16th Regt. became a part of McAllister's Brigade, Mott's Division, Hancock's (2d) Corps. With this command it was engaged with loss at the Wilderness, May 5 and 6, 1864, on the line of the Plank Road.  Again at Spotsylvania on the 10th and12th of May its losses were heavy, especially on the last-named date when it participated in the assault on the Bloody Angle, where Lieut. Col. Merriam was killed. After Spotsylvania Mott's Division had become so reduced in numbers that it was consolidated with Birney's Division. As a part of this division the regiment was engaged at North Anna, Totopotomoy, and in front of Petersburg until July 11, 1864, when it transferred its recruits and re-enlisted men to the 11th Mass. and started for home. It arrived in Massachusetts July 22, and on July 27 was mustered out of the United States service. 

Source:  Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors & Marines in the Civil War

Comes housed in a 12 x 16-inch display case with black velvet backing and descriptive card.

 Inventory Number:  IDE 210 / SOLD