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Remember Harpers Ferry:
The 126th New York Volunteers were among the Union troops engaged at Harpers Ferry in September 1862. These soldiers had been mustered into service on August 22nd of that year. Three weeks later they faced hardened veterans of the Confederate army on the steep slopes of Maryland Heights. The conduct of the 126th during the battle remains questionable, even though they suffered higher losses than any other Union regiment. Although many of the journals and diaries stated that the young soldiers held their position well during the encounter, other sources disagreed. Newspapers soon reported that the regiment had fled in panic and disgrace. The men of the 126th New York were branded the "Harper's Ferry Cowards."
After surrendering on September 15th, all of the paroled Union troops marched to Annapolis, Maryland, 100 miles away. From there it was on to Baltimore by steamer where they boarded a filthy cattle train for Chicago, Illinois. They were locked up in vermin-infested Camp Douglas, recently vacated by Confederate prisoners of war. After two humiliating months as prisoners in their own land, the regiment was sent to guard Washington, DC, where they received the basic training they had never had. Regimental physician, Dr. Charles S. Hoyt, remarked, "The brigade is under constant drill and fast being educated in the school of the soldier."
In July of 1863, the men had the opportunity to test their schooling and to reclaim their honor. General Robert E. Lee and the Confederate army once again moved north, and the Union Army of the Potomac, including the 126th New York, followed. On July 2nd at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the 126th New York fought valiantly, beating back Southern attacks on the Union left flank. The following day the boys from New York repulsed the Confederate onslaught known as Pickett's Charge. Their rallying cry during the battle was "Remember Harpers Ferry!" After the Southerners retreated, members of the 126th dragged captured Confederate battle flags through the dirt. The 126th New York redeemed their reputation at Gettysburg, but with 231 of the unit's 455 men killed or wounded, the cost of redemption was indeed high. |