American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Partly printed muster roll of Company “H,” 50th New York Volunteers Engineers, “Near City Point, Virginia,” June 30, 1864. 27 x 30 in. Detailed listing including 4 officers, 10 sergeants, 10 corporals, 2 musicians, 58 artificiers (skilled specialists) plus 71 privates with details of enlistment and notations of recent service. One private, Jonas R. Neale is listed as “Died in hospital, Washington DC, May 20, 1864.” Signed by Captain Asa G. Palmer as Commander of Company “H” with notation of the company’s recent service: “The company was located at Wellford Ford on Hazell River from date of last muster until 4th of May, in charge of the pontoon bridge. Attached to 6th Corps. A.P. since which time it has marched with the Army to this place, building or assisting to build, and taking up pontoon bridges across the Rapidan, Gold Mine Ford, Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg, North Anna, at Jericho Mills also at Jericho's Ford across the Pamunkey at Nelson Ferry across the Chickahominy at Jones Bridge…and across the same at Cole’s Ferry…. Acted as infantry two days in the Wilderness, built permanent bridge across the Po River near Spotsylvania and across the Chickahominy at Jones Bridge, and at other times were engaged in cutting…and repairing roads in vicinity and on route of Pontoon Train.” Also signed by Major E.O. Beers as Inspecting Officer.

The 50th New York Volunteer Infantry was mustered into Federal service on September 18, 1861, for 3 years. On October 22, 1861, special orders from the war department designated the regiment as a Regiment of Engineers. It participated in the Peninsular Campaign at Yorktown and the 7 Days’ Battles. It was present at Harper’s Ferry and was commended for the construction of a number of pontoon bridges under fire at Fredericksburg. It was engaged at Chancellorsville and then played an important part in Grant’s overland campaign at Wilderness, and the North Anna River before the siege of Petersburg. Asa C. Palmer was commissioned on September 17, 1861 as a 2nd Lieutenant in Company “D” of the 50th New York as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on May 31, 1862 and to Captain on April 15, 1863 and transferred to Company “H” on May 5, 1864. Edmund O. Beers was commissioned as a Captain in company “H” of the 50th New York on September 14, 1861 and promoted to Major on January 1, 1864.

 

[With:] Partly printed muster roll of Company K, 39th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. “On the Weldon Railroad near Petersburg, Va,” October 31, 1864. 27 x 30 in.)creasing, small tears along folds, ink light at places but legible). Detailed listing including 3 officers, 5 sergeants, 7 corporals plus 80 privates with details of enlistment and notations of recent service. A number of privates are listed as “Prisoner of War Since August 19, 1864." Signed by Captain Willard C. Kinsley as Commander of Company “K” and by Captain George S. Nelson as Inspecting Officer. 1st Lieutenant Luke R. Tidd is listed as “Prisoner since Aug 19, 1864.” 2nd Lieutenant Henry A. Seaverns is listed as “Wounded Aug 18’64.”

The 39th Regiment Massachusetts Infantry was organized at Camp Stanton in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, August-September, 1862, under the command of Colonel Phineas Stearns Davis. The regiment moved from the defenses of Washington in pursuit of Lee’s army in July 1863. It was engaged in the Bristoe Campaign, on the Rappahannock, and in the Mine Run Campaign until December 1863. It then served on the Orange & Alexandria Railroad and in the Rapidan Campaign May–June, 1864. It was engaged in the major battles of Grant’s overland campaign. At Spotsylvania Court House it was part of the assault on the Salient on May 12. It was then engaged on the North Anna River, Jericho Ford, Cold Harbor, Bethesda Churcg, and White Oak Swamp. It was engaged at the Siege of Petersburg and in the Appomattox Campaign. Captain Willard C. Kinsley Commander of Company “K,” enlisted on April 19,1861 as a Private and served in Company “I” of the 5th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. On August 9,1862 he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into "E" Co. 39th Mass. Infantry. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on November 13, 1862 and then Captain and commander of Company “K” on April 30, 1864. Kinsley was wounded at the battle of White Oak Road on March 31, 1865 and died of his wounds on April 2, 1865. 

[Also with:] Large format partly printed muster out roll issued to Sergeant Guy M. Bosworth, 10th New York Volunteer Infantry, Munson’s Hill, Virginia, 14 June 1865. Signed by Captain Harvey Y. Russel as Mustering Officer and by Colonel Joel B. Baker, Commanding Regiment. With CDV portrait of Bosworth in uniform, backmark of Smith & Whiley, Columbus, Ohio.

Guy M. Bosworth enlisted on September 21, 1861 as a Private in Company "E" of the 23rd New York Infantry Volunteers. He served with his regiment at Second Bull Run, South Mountain, and Antietam before the regiment was mustered out of federal service on May 22, 1863. On December 18, 1863 he then enlisted as a Private in the 8th New York Heavy Artillery and was subsequently promoted to Corporal on September 1, 1864 and to QM Sergeant on November 1, 1864. The 8th New York Heavy Artillery was engaged in Grant’s overland campaign. When the 8th was deactivated in 1865, Bosworth and others were transferred temporarily to the 10th New York Volunteer Infantry. He was Mustered Out on June 14, 1865 at Munson's Hill, Virginia. Colonel Joel B. Baker (1833-1876) was commissioned as a Captain in company "B" 8th New York Heavy Artillery on August 22, 1862. He was subsequently promoted to Major, Lt. Colonel and Colonel. He served briefly in the 10th New York Volunteer Infantry before he was mustered out on June 30, 1865.