American Historical Ephemera & Photography

The 71st NY State Militia was formed in 1850, as a "distinctively American Regiment" (i.e. no foreigners) with connections to the nativist Know Nothing Party, and was first called "The American Rifles" and later, "The American Guard." In 1852, having a sufficient number of Companies, they were enrolled as a Regiment of the NY State Militia and assigned the number of 71st. At the outbreak of the Civil War, the 71st were mustered in for 3 months service, arriving in Washington, DC, in May 1861, and participated in the occupation of Alexandria, VA, accompanying Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth and the New York Fire Zouaves, during which Ellsworth was killed by a secessionist hotel owner. The 71st fought with distinction at the First Battle of Bull Run.

Included in this archive is an autograph letter signed by the artist Otto Botticher, (1811-1886), 2+ pages, dated at New York City, 12 February 1858, "To the Board of Officers of the 71st Regt., American Guard," with superb content regarding his being commissioned by the Regiment to make a large engraving on stone "representing the Presentation of an Eagle to your Regiment for superior discipline etc. by the N.Y.S. Military Association," his intention "to get up this picture in a superior manner," and urging that the Captains of the Regiment "use their best endeavors to procure subscribers for this work."

Botticher is best known for his 1864 rendering of a baseball game at the Salisbury, NC prisoner of war camp, based on his experiences as a prisoner there in 1862. He enlisted in the 68th NY Infantry in July 1861, and was Captain of Co. G, captured 29 March 1862 and imprisoned at Libby Prison and at Salisbury, NC until exchanged in September 1862. He rejoined his Regiment in 1863 and fought at the Battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.

The balance of the archive consists of printed invitations, Orders, circulars, along with an unused sheet of Regimental stationery, ranging in size from approx. 8 x 11 in., down to 4 x 6 1/4 in.

Additional highlights include:

Two June, 1854 invitations and printed "Order of Exercises" for the American Rifles Co. G's celebrating the anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill at Harlem.

8 pp. pamphlet, dated July 22, 1856, titled "Put None but Americans on Guard," urging the necessity of nothing but Americans serving in Militia regiments.

Undated cursive printed resolutions of the 71st Regiment protesting against the "admission of adopted citizens into our ranks," and demand "that those who may have been admitted be immediately requested to withdraw," as their admission would "destroy our claims as an exclusively American Corps."

1857 Regimental Orders by Colonel Vosburgh, regarding the visit of the 71st Regt. to Newburgh, NY on 17 June, the anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, "for the purpose of presenting themselves before the 'Military Association of the State'" signed by the Captain of Co. A, accompanied by a 4 pp. circular regarding the visit of the 71st Regiment to Newburgh at the State Military Convention, with an illustration of George Washington's Headquarters at Newburgh, setting out the orders for the reception of the Regiment, the line of march, an oration by Gen. Clarence A. Seward (nephew of William H. Seward), the order of drill to be performed by each Regiment, in competition "for the stand of colors to be presented by the State Military Association to the best drilled and uniformed Regiment of the State."

The 71st won this competition, and were awarded what was called the "Eagle", which was presented to the 71st Regt. in November.

1857 printed letter from the colonel commanding the Regiment, regarding the awarding of a "beautiful testimonial" to it by the Military Association of the State, to be presented by Major General Burnside, President of the Association, in front of City Hall, along with Regimental Order No. 12, regarding the "presentation of the 'EAGLE' awarded to the 71st by the 'Military Association' of the State" in front of City Hall on 10 November. Also includes an invitation to attend the presentation of the "Eagle" to the Regiment, and a scarce beautiful paper lace menu for the "Dinner in honor of the presentation of the 'Eagle,'" along with the original bill for the dinner on illustrated St. NIcholas Hotel stationery, to Col. Vosburgh, 71st Regt. - the dinner for 75 men, along with 48 bottles of champagne, 32 bottles of Sherry, 18 bottles of Claret, and cigars, totaled $419.50.

Regimental Order No. 13, 16 November 1857, regarding the Regiment serving as a "Guard of Honor" escorting the body of War of 1812 and Mexican War hero Major General William J. Worth from Green-Wood Cemetery to be interred beneath the recently completed monument to General Worth.

Together, 25 documents and imprints. Overall in fine to very fine condition. Each with old mount residue down one edge on the verso.