The Civil War Papers of Lt. Colonel Newton T. Colby, New York Infantry

“The shells of the enemy flew over us here tearing great limbs off the trees and screaming horribly … then a shell struck into the ranks near where I was, killing and wounding five or six—I saw them fall and heard their screams. But on we went and I know not who they were or what became of them”—September 21, 1862. NeLt. Col. Colby served with the 23rd New York, the 107th New York at Antietam, Chancellorsville and Harper’s Ferry, and later in the Veteran Reserve Corps as superintendent of Old Capital Prison. This is a compilation of Colby’s letters to family, friends and military personnel, newspaper articles that detail the fighting in which Colby and his fellow soldiers were involved, and accounts of the fighting and daily life from other soldiers. Colby crossed paths with many prominent figures in the war and was recognized as an excellent soldier by his peers and commanding officers.

William E. Hughes, the editor, is the great-great-grandson of Lt. Col. Colby. A retired educator and member of Old Baldy Civil War Round Table, he lives in Vineland, New Jersey.

Newton T. Colby
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 360
Bibliographic Info: photos, maps, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2012 [2003]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-7382-3
Imprint: McFarland

Preface      1

1. The Development of the Militia in Corning      3
2. The 23rd New York Volunteer Regiment      17
3. The 23rd New York Regiment at Arlington Heights      39
4. Ball’s Cross Roads Skirmish      54
5. Munson’s Hill      67
6. Upton’s Hill      79
7. Bailey’s Cross Roads      100
8. The Occupation of Fredericksburg      113
9. The 107th New York Volunteer Regiment      128
10. The 107th New York Regiment at Antietam      142
11. The 107th New York Regiment at Harpers Ferry      175
12. Antietam Ford      192
13. Near Fairfax Station and On to Chancellorsville      208
14. The Chancellorsville Campaign      224
15. The Veteran Reserve Corps      241
16. Camp Morton: Prison at Indianapolis      246
17. Old Capitol and Carroll Prisons-Washington, D.C.      259
18. The Lincoln Assassination      291
19. Old Capitol Prison—After Lincoln’s Death      296
20. The Postwar Years      316
21. Looking Back      330

Chapter Notes      337
Bibliography      347
Index      351

“fascinating primary source…a welcome and much appreciated contribution to Civil War Studies collections”—Midwest Book Review; “a good addition…of great value to serious Civil War researchers, history buffs, and students”—Colorado Libraries.