Snuff Box of Charles VanHise, 57th New York Infantry, Color Bearer and Gettysburg Veteran
Tin snuff box with ink inscription inside the lid that reads “Pvt. Charles VanHise 57th N.Y. Vols.” VanHise enlisted as a corporal in the 57th New York Infantry in August 1861 and mustered out in October 1864. The regiment suffered heavy casualties at Antietam and was heavily engaged at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. At the Battle of Gettysburg, the regiment counterattacked through the wheatfield as part of John C. Caldwell’s brigade. VanHise bore the regimental colors in the assault on Petersburg in June 1864. The snuff box measures 2 5/8” wide and 1 1/8” in height and retains much of its Japanned finish. An 1838 U.S. Large Cent is included inside the box. A nice identified personal item from a Gettysburg veteran.
Charles H. VanHise - 21 years old. Enlisted on 8/31/1861 at New York City, NY as a Corporal. On 9/2/1861 he mustered into “A” Co. NY 57th Infantry. He Re-enlisted on 12/29/1863. He was Mustered Out on 10/5/1864 at Petersburg, VA. Promotions: Sergt 1/1/1863.
NEW YORK FIFTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY (Three Years)
Fifty-seventh Infantry.-Cols. Samuel K. Zook, Alford B. Chapman, James W. Britt; Lieut.-Cols., John A. Page, Philip J. Parisen, Alford B. Chapman, James W. Britt, Augustus M. Wright, George W. Jones, James C. Bronson; Majs., Philip J. Parisen, Alford B. Chapman, N. Garrow Throop, John H. Bell, William A. Kirk, George W. Jones, James C. Bronson, George Mitchell.
The 57th the "National Guard Rifles," contained companies from the National guard Rifles, the Clinton Rifles, the United States Voltigeurs, the Washington Zouaves and the Manhattan Rifles, and was mustered into the U. S. service at New York city, Aug. 12 to Nov. 19, 1861, for three years.
It left for Washington on Nov. 19, was assigned to French's brigade, Sumner's division, Army of the Potomac, and passed the winter in the vicinity of Washington. In March, 1862, it was attached to the 3d brigade, 1st division, 2nd corps, and joined in the general advance to Manassas Junction.
It then moved to the Peninsula, participated in the siege of Yorktown; was present at the battle of Fair Oaks; active in the Seven Days' battles, after which it proceeded to Harrison's landing. It went to the support of Gen. Pope at Bull Run and arrived just before the battle of Chantilly, but was not actively engaged.
At Antietam the regiment lost 98 in killed and wounded and 3 missing. After the battle it moved to Halltown Snicker's gap and Falmouth and suffered severely at Fredericksburg, where the division, under Gen. Hancock made a gallant but unsuccessful assault on Marye's heights.
The regiment here lost 87 out of 192 engaged. The winter was passed near Falmouth and in the Chancellorsville campaign in the spring of 1863 the regiment was active. At Gettysburg the loss of the depleted command was 34 and then moving southward with the army, the 57th was active at Auburn, Bristoe Station and in the Mine Run campaign.
Winter quarters were established near Brandy Station and occupied until the opening of the Wilderness campaign, during which the regiment was repeatedly in action. In the battle at the Wilderness the loss was 58, and in the assault on Petersburg, June 15, the action at the Weldon railroad and at Reams' station the loss was 63.
Co. C was mustered out on July 14, 1864; Cos. F, D and I in August; Cos. K, A and B in September; Co. H on Oct. 15; and the reenlisted men and recruits were transferred to the 61st N. Y. infantry on Dec. 6. The regiment during its term of service lost 103 by death from wounds and 91 from other causes.
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