Chautauqua County, New York
in the Civil War

The following is taken from Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Military Statistics of the State of New York, Albany: [The Bureau], (C. Wendell), 1866.

With an earnest and intelligent population, and such men as Reuben E. Fenton, George W. Patterson, Judge R. P. Marvin, and many others of energy and talent that might be mentioned, and a patriotic and efficient press, was among the first to realize the dangers and necessities of the hour, and her young men rallied around the National standard in large numbers, and the determination and bravery they displayed in the service, gave them an honorable and enviable standing in the army. In the spring of 1861, when it was expected that the militia regiment of the county would be called out, a general muster of the men was had at; Dunkirk, under the direction of the Colonel, and the subject was laid before them, with the dangers and hardships that must follow, but their love of country was equal to the occasion, and when the order was given for those who were willing to go, to stop in advance of the line, every man and officer moved firm, and with one solid tread. While this was true of many other regiments, it is none the less worthy of mention. The men were dismissed, with the direction to hold themselves in readiness to go on a moment's warning, but not to wait in listless suspense. In every town, the spirit they had manifested was caught up by others; drills were instituted, temporary companies formed, and the note of preparation rung throughout the entire county. The regiment was not called for, but five volunteer companies were formed, and joined the Sickles' brigade. Three from Dunkirk, under Captains Stevens, Barrett and Doyle; one from Jamestown, under Captain Brown, and one from Westfield, under Captain H. J. Bliss. The companies were uniformed by the contributions of the citizens, and every town was represented. While these were the only organized bodies sent out from the county prior to the Bull Run defeat, many volunteered into organizations in adjoining counties in this State, and in Pennsylvania.

Every captain of these companies lost his life in the service or died of wounds received. Captain Stevens became Colonel of the Seventy-third, and Capt. Brown, Colonel of the One hundredth regiment, and both fell while heroically leading on their men in battle.

This, in brief, is what Chautauqua county had done up to the time of the defeat of our forces at Bull Run. But the spirit of patriotism that had been awakened, was not quieted or dampened by disaster, and her quotas on subsequent calls were filled with a promptness that reflects credit upon the county, and her public men.

Civil War Newspaper Clippings
This is also available in PDF format. These are large files; however, they are exact images of the pages.
      Pages 1 - 10
      Pages 11 - 20
      Pages 21 - 30
      Pages 31 - 32
      Page 33
      Pages 34 - 40
      Page 41

The following tables are taken from Fourth Annual Report of the Bureau of Military Statistics of the State of New York, Albany: Week, Parsons & Co., 1867.
Thank you to Paul Stambach for transcribing this information.

See also The Communites of New York in the Civil War

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