During the Civil War, Colonel Simeon Sammons received authority to recruit a regiment in the counties of Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, and Saratoga, with headquarters at Fonda. On August 26, 1862, it mustered into the service of the United States for three years as the 115th New York Infantry Regiment, known as the “Iron-Hearted Regiment.”
The companies were recruited principally from: (Company A) Fonda, Mohawk, Glen, Palatine, Root and Canajoharie; (Company B) at St. Johnsville, Minden, Canajoharie, Fonda, Amsterdam and Florida; (C) at Milton, Galway, Edinburgh, Clifton Park, Northumberland, Day, Greenfield, Malta and Ballston; (D) at Amsterdam, Charleston, Florida and Mohawk; (E) at Johnstown, Mayfield Northampton, Oppenheim, Ephratah and Stratford; (F) at Saratoga, Corinth, Greenfield, Wilton, Moreau, Northumberland and Hadley; (G) at Saratoga, Moreau, Greenfield, Corinth, Amsterdam, Charlton, Fonda and Hadley; (H) at Half moon, Clifton Park, Stillwater, Minden, Waterford and Amsterdam; (I) at Canajoharie, Fonda, Charlton, Malta, Ballston, Milton, (J) St. Johnsville and Providence; and (K) at Caroga, Broadalbin, Wells, Johnstown, Mohawk, Amsterdam, Ephratah, Glen and Palatine.
The regiment left New York State for the front on August 30, 1862, proceeding to Sandy Hook, Maryland, where it received its arms and equipment. Two weeks later it was surrendered with other troops at Harper’s Ferry, and after being paroled proceeded to Chicago to await exchange. During the year 1863 the regiment served at Hilton Head and Beaufort, S. C.
It fought at the Battle of Olustee, in Baker County, Florida on February 20, 1864, losing nearly 300 in killed, wounded and missing; nearly all the color-guard being shot down.
On April 15, 1864, it embarked for Virginia and participated in the campaign against Richmond in May. In the actions at Port Walthall Junction (May 6–7, 1864), Chester Station, Ware Bottom Church, Drewry’s Bluff and Bermuda Hundred, it lost 6 killed, 87 wounded, and 7 missing.
At Cold Harbor it lost 18 killed and wounded and took part in the Siege of Petersburg, participating with some loss in the first assault. It was active at the mine explosion, and was heavily engaged at Deep Bottom, losing 73 killed, wounded and missing.
At Fort Harrison and Fort Gilmer, the 115th lost 33 killed, wounded and missing. During the advance on Richmond by the Darbytown road in October it met with considerable loss from a volley of friendly fire by the 9th Maine.
In December 1864 the 115th was ordered to North Carolina. It participated in the capture of Fort Fisher, during which many were killed by an explosion of the magazine the day after the fort was taken.
Afterward it was present at Cape Fear, Fort Anderson, and Wilmington, before being mustered out at Raleigh, North Carolina on June 17, 1865.
Out of a total enrollment of 1,196, it lost 7 officers and 132 men; 191 men died of disease and other causes for a total of 330 deaths.
Upcoming Event
The Saratoga County History Center will host David Brooks (Education Director at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site in Fort Hunter, NY) on Wednesday, September 13th from 7pm to 8:30pm for a talk about the regiment.
The presentation will be held in the Long Room at Brookside Museum, 21 Fairground Avenue, in Ballston Spa, NY.
Brooks sits on the board of the Fulton County Historical Society, based out of the Fulton County Museum in Gloversville, NY. As a native of that county, growing up he heard tales of local history and how his own ancestors fought to preserve the United States during the tumultuous Civil War.
Registration is not necessary, but is appreciated here. A donation of $5 per registration is suggested, to support the programs of Saratoga County History Center.
The Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the diverse histories of Saratoga County and offers a variety of programming.
Visit their website (www.brooksidemuseum.org) and social media accounts (@SaratogaCoHistory) for news and announcements. Brookside Museum is located at 21 Fairground Avenue in Ballston Spa at the intersection of Front Street, Fairground Avenue, and Charlton Street.
Illustrations, from above: A portrait of Colonel Simeon Sammons taken after the war; Harpers Ferry during the Civil War (Library of Congress); and veterans of the 115th Regiment meeting at Mayfield in 1888 (Library of Congress).
Leave a Reply