Manual of Bayonet Exercise Identified to Private Edward Smith 107th New York Infantry, Wounded at New Hope Church, Georgia Great Gettysburg Unit -

Manual of Bayonet Exercise Identified to Private Edward Smith 107th New York Infantry, Wounded at New Hope Church, Georgia Great Gettysburg Unit - Inventory Number:  HIS 144

Manual of Bayonet Exercise: Prepared for the Use of the Army of the United States by George B. McClellan. McClellan originally published this work in 1852, based on a French fencing manual. This copy was published in Philadelphia by J.B. Lippincott & Co. The manual is 118 pages with 24 illustrative plates and is hardbound in green cloth with embossed eagles on front and back. The book exhibits light to medium wear to edges, yellow text, with some plates colored in by red and blue crayon. The ink identification appears on a detached, rear endpaper page and reads, "Edward Smith/ 107th NY Volunteers.” On the opposite page is inscribed, in the same hand, "Cumberland General Field/ Hospital Nashville Tennessee". Which fits with Edward Smith's individual history and Corps Affiliation. Edward Smith enlisted in August 1862 as a private in the 107th New York Infantry. His regiment served with the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 12th Corps until October 1863. During this time it participated in the Battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. Transferred to the Army of the Cumberland during Sherman's Atlanta Campaign, the 107th was in the fight at New Hope Church, where Private Smith was wounded, 5/25/1865. He was then transferred to the Army of Cumberland Hospital in Nashville for convalescence. It is likely here, in the Cumberland hospital where Smith colored in the figures in the bayonet plates in this book, probably out of boredom. His regiment remained with Sherman on his march to the sea and through the Carolinas and was present at Johnston's surrender to Sherman at Bentonville, NC. Private Smith returned to be mustered out with his regiment, 6/5/1865. During service the NY 107th lost 91 men killed and wounded and 131 by disease for a total of 222.   

Edward Smith - 20 years old. Enlisted on 8/4/1862 at Elmira, NY as a Private. On 8/4/1862 he mustered into “G” Co. NY 107th Infantry. He was Mustered Out on 6/5/1865 at Washington, DC He was listed as: Wounded 5/25/1864 New Hope Church, GA. 

NEW YORK ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTH INFANTRY (Three Years)

One Hundred and Seventh Infantry.-Cols., Robert B. Van Valkenburgh, Alexander S. Diven, Nirom M. Crane; Lieut.-Cols., Alexander S. Diven, Gabriel L. Smith, Newton T. Colby, William F.  Fox, Lathrop Baldwin, Allen S. Sill; Majs., Gabriel L. Smith, Newton T. Colby, William F. Fox, Lathrop Baldwin, Allen S.  Sill, Charles J. Fox.

This regiment known as the Campbell Guards, was recruited in the counties of Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben, rendezvoused at Elmira, and was there mustered into the U. S. service for three years, Aug. 13, 1862.  It was a fine regiment, noted for its efficiency and discipline, the first regiment from the North organized under the second call, and the first to arrive at Washington, in acknowledgment of which it received a banner from the state and a personal visit from the president.

It was raised by two patriotic members of the legislature, Robert B. Van Valkenburg, and Alexander S. Diven, who became colonel and lieutenant-colonel respectively. It left the state on Aug. 13, 1862; was stationed in the defenses of Washington for a month; was then assigned to the 1st division (Williams), 12th corps (Mansfield), and fought its first battle at Antietam, where it was heavily engaged, losing 63 in killed, wounded and missing.

The veteran Gen. Mansfield fell mortally wounded at Antietam, and Gen. Henry W. Slocum succeeded to the command of the corps. The regiment was again heavily engaged at the disastrous battle of Chancellorsville, where the brunt of the fighting fell on the 3d and 12th corps, and lost in this action 83 killed, wounded and missing, among the killed being Capt. Nathaniel E. Rutter.

The regiment was only slightly engaged at Gettysburg, and after the battle joined with its corps in pursuit of Lee into Virginia, engaging without loss at Jones' crossroads and near Williamsport, Md. In September it was ordered with the corps to Tennessee to reinforce Rosecrans and was stationed along the railroad from Murfreesboro to Bridgeport.

In April, 1864, the 12th corps was changed to the 20th, but Williams' division retained its red star. On Dec. 9, 1863, four cost of the 145th were transferred to the 107th, and in May the regiment moved on the Atlanta campaign.  It fought at Resaca, Cassville, and Dallas, and lost 26 killed and 141 wounded at New Hope Church.

From June 9 to July 2 it was engaged about Kennesaw mountain; fought at Peachtree creek and took part in the siege of Atlanta; moved in November on Sherman's march to the sea; then took part in the final campaign of the Carolinas, being engaged at Rockingham, Fayetteville, Averasboro (where it lost 46 killed, wounded and missing), Bentonville, Raleigh and Bennett's house. It was mustered out near Washington, D. C., under Col. Crane, June 5, 1865, having lost during its term of service 4 officers and 87 enlisted men, killed and died of wounds; 131 enlisted men died of disease, accidents, in prison, etc., total deaths, 222.

Source:  The Union Army, Vol. 2, p. 127

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 Inventory Number:  HIS 144