[Note that these are not complete rosters of the regiments, but of their members from Schenectady County. This chapter has been enhanced with an index to all soldiers, including the spelling variations.]
The following schedules are intended to, and it is believed they do, embrace all the soldiers from Schenectady who served in the Civil War. Many were enlisted in the last months of the struggle from Canada, and from everywhere, to fill up quotas. Such men, so far as possible, have been carefully eliminated. It is intended in this history to give the names only of men who served and fought and suffered and died under our flag, who actually went from Schenectady.
On the monument in honor of the dead at Schuylerville, the tablet that should mark the achievements and heroism of Arnold, is left blank because of his heroic services before he became a dishonored deserter. So this history mercifully leaves out, entirely, the names of deserters. Wherever a man is charged with desertion, we have simply stricken out his name. It may be that the charge against him was unfounded, and so many instances have occurred of restoration to the roll of innocent men, unjustly charged with the most terrible crime that a soldier can commit, that we have decided to give all the benefit of the doubt and simply obliterate his name. Besides, it is libelous to charge a soldier with treason to his flag unless the proof can be forthcoming, and this risk the editor of this volume does not care to incur.
The rolls were compiled from the records of the adjutant-general's office after close searching and careful investigation.
The record is not always infallible, but it is at least the most reliable evidence that can be obtained. Orderly sergeants were not always correct in their reports, company clerks did not always understand the force and effect of what they wrote, and absolute correctness cannot be guaranteed in any case. All that can be claimed here is that the best, most authentic, and reliable record of the war that closed nearly forty years ago, has been obtained and printed here after diligent and industrious research.
Actual sequence in either numbers or date of muster has been impossible. The records have been gathered from everywhere and at different times. There is nothing in these rolls that must be taken to establish precedence of any kind.
Regimental Listings (as ordered in the book)
- 30th Regiment of Infantry
- 77th Regiment (Veteran) — (Saratoga Regiment; Bemis Heights Regiment)
- 43rd Regiment (Veteran) — (Albany and Yates' Rifles; Vinton Rifles)
- 2nd Regiment of Cavalry (Veteran) — (Empire Light Cavalry)
- 69th Regiment of Infantry (Veteran) — (First Regiment, Irish Brigade)
- 18th Regiment of Infantry — (New York State Rifles; Riflemen)
- 134th Regiment of Infantry
- 7th Veteran Regiment of Infantry
- 91st Regiment of Infantry (Veteran) — (Albany Regiment; Columbia Regiment)
- 25th Regiment of Cavalry — (Sickles' Cavalry)
- 1st Regiment of Mounted Rifles
- 13th Regiment of Cavalry — (Seymour Light Cavalry)
- 13th Regiment of Artillery (Heavy)
- 177th Infantry
- 192nd Infantry
Index to all soldiers listed here.
For more information about New York State Civil War regiments, see this listing by county.