14th Annual Reunion
Descendants of the 154th New York Infantry Volunteer Regiment
Portville, New York
July 10, 1999
And visit to the Gettysburg battle field July 12.
| Mark Dunkelman’s new book. Warren Onan is mentioned three times. I am grateful to Mark for memorializing Waren in this way. In another section I have dealt with what we know about Warren Onan’s participation in the Civil War as part of the 154th New York Volunteers. [book1] |
Mark Dunkelman has worked creatively and done research to make the 154th experience living history. (1) His latest effort is the book "Gettysburg’s Unknown Soldier" The Life, Death, and Celebrity of Amos Humiston. Amos was found dead and unidentified on the battlefield, clutching a picture of his three children. The picture was published in a Presbyterian newspaper and a few months later identified as Amos Humiston from Portville. As part of the process of identification, thousands of pictures were made and sold, with money to ostensibly benefit the widow and children. An event held January 3, 1864 in the First Presbyterian Church of Portville was made the first contribution to the widow. The event was skillfully reenacted this July 10, in the same church.
Mark Dunkelman narration [markd]
Cornet solo and songs sung that have not been heard for 133 years. [cornetsolo] [singers]
| An unusual common bond of an event of 135 years ago. By 2:00 P.M., 200 people came together to celebrate. A unique experience for Jane and me. [crowd] |
While the 154th fought in other battles and participated later in Sherman’s March to the Sea, Gettysburg is the one that charges us with the most emotion. Prior to this time their record had been less than heroic. Accused (falsely) of running at Chancellorsville, they were placed on the north side of town and received the first attack by the South. Badly outnumbered, they were overrun with many injured and taken prisoner.
[plaque]
(crescent symbol)
Army of the Potomac
Eleventh Corps Second Division
First Brigade
Col. Charles R. Coster
134th, 154th New York
27th, 73rd, Pennsylvania Infantry
July 1 Arrived about 2 P.M. and went into position on the
Cemetery Hill supporting Battery I, 1st New York. Skirmishers occupying a
church and near by house. Advanced about 3:30 P.M. through the town and faced to the right
and intercepted the advance of Brig. Gen. Hays’s and Brig. Gen. Hoke’s Brigades
Major Gen. Early’s Division they moving toward town in rear of First Division
Eleventh Corps and held them from the line of retreat of that Division to Cemetery Hill.
Retired to East Cemetery Hill about 4:30 P.M. and resumed former position on the right of
Second Brigade with Third Division on the right.
July 2 In same position during the day under fire of Artillery and
sharpshooters . At 8:00 P.M. Brig. Gen. Hayes’s Brigade charged the position and was
repulsed with heavy loss the 27th Penna. bore the conspicuous part in repelling
this attack. Battery I, 1st New York was temporarily captured but was
immediately recovered.
July 3 Not actively engaged.
Casualties: Killed; 3 Officers, 53 Men. Wounded; 8 Officers, 220 Men. Captured or Missing;
12 Officers, 301 Men. Total 597. (Punctuation added)
NOTE: I’ve done a lot of reading about the battle and every account is different.
This plaque is no exception in ambiguous syntax. If you go to the battlefield, hire a
professional guide who will drive your car and give you a meaningful, clear, 2 hour
lecture for $30.
[monument] [base1] [base2]
[mural_jane]
| The Coster Avenue Memorial Mural in Gettysburg by Mark Dunkelman was dedicated July 1, 1988, the 125th anniversary of the battle. [mural] |
(1) Mark H. Dunkelman and Michael J. Winey wrote "The Hardtack Regiment", An Illustrated History of the 154th Regiment, New York Infantry Volunteers, in 1981. Both Mark and Michael were at the reunion. Mark painted the mural at Coster Avenue.
Obligatory photos of Dave with the 154th New York and Minnesota monuments
Sources from my file:
BOOK0022, "The Hardtack Regiment"
BOOK0033, "The Coster Avenue Mural in Gettysburg"
[reunion154.doc]
David W. Onan II
28 July, 1999
Images used:
Images\genfamily\reunion154