Civil War Veteran
William H Macomber
Residence: Parishville, New York
Age at Enlistment: 28
Enlistment Date: 8 Dec 1863
Rank at enlistment: Private
Enlistment Place: Parishville, New York
State Served: New York
Survived the War?: Yes
Service Record: Enlisted in Company M, New York 14th Heavy Artillery Regiment on 29 Dec 1863.Promoted to Full Corporal.Promoted to Full Private on 01 Jan 1865.Mustered out on 13 May 1865 at Chester, PA.
Birth Date: abt 1835
Sources: New York: Report of the Adjutant-General
Contributor: Linda Linn
The 14th NY Heavy Artillery:
From Courier & Freeman 5/25/1864 (Potsdam, NY) - written May 19th - from Harewood hospital in Washington, DC.."The 14th has since last I wrote you, had a pretty severe lesson in marching and fighting and can now safely be called veteran. The boys as a general thing have done their duty nobly and but very little but very little straggling occurred. We left Warrenton Junction on the morning of the 3rd inst. and from that time until the 12th the day I was wounded, we were constantly under ____and within hearing of the great struggle that was going on and much of the time formed in line of battle, momentarily expecting an attack. We however, escaped being under fire until the 12th. On the 11th we were marched three or four miles and formed in battle line across a field in rear of a house where we lay during the forenoon, and in the afternoon we were deployed along a small creek as skirmishers. Just at night we were ordered to advance, which we did and drove a few Rebs over two or three lines of rifle pits, they only firing a few shots and then falling back. We advanced in this way about a mile, and halted at another rifle pit. From there I could hear the rebs talk and laugh and in a short time their brass band struck up and played a number of fine airs, among which was "Yankee Doodle," and I thought they played it very well. After staying here until about 11 o'clock pm we were drawn off and formed in line of battle along a hollow to the left and rear. It had been raining that afternoon, and the bushes and grass were wet and cold, but so tired and sleepy had the boys become that they sank down in their places in line and slept till morning. As soon as daybreak, heavy musketry firing was commenced on our right and gradually came down the line toward us. We were moved immediately to a new position and the first platoon of our company were ordered to deploy as skirmishers, to protect the left flank. I went with them and we entered the bushes on the left and deployed along an old rifle pit. A part of Co L was on our left, forming a right angle, their left resting on a road which ran along by the side of the woods. What disposition was made of the rest of the regiment I am unable to say, for I did not see them afterwards. We lay there in the woods until about 5 o'clock PM all the time expecting an attack. During the whole day the fight raged on our right, some of the time the firing coming so near we would seize our guns and make ready to fire, and then again it would recede and we would sit down again and eat another "hardtack." the roar of the battle on our right was truly awful. The shells of both sides passed over our heads, and some of them cut the bushes above us, while the continuous rattle of musketry and the yells of the Rebs as they charged on our batteries and the shouts of our boys as they drove them back again altogether created a din which must be heard to be comprehended. About 5 o'clock Co L commenced a scattered firing and soon afterward a terrific yell announced the approach of the Rebs on our left and in front. We all sprang to our places and as I placed myself behind a large oak tree I saw a gray back cautiously coming through the bushes and it was only the work of an instant to draw a bead on him and fire. I do not know how it fared with him, but I saw him no more. I reloaded and waited for another shot. By this time the balls were flying pretty lively and our boys were getting fully waked up. I soon saw their line and gave them another bullet but this time more at random. In a minute or so I saw a bush move in front and to the right, and instantly brought my piece to bear o it, but before I could pull the trigger, a wreath of smoke curled up from behind it and my right arm fell at my side. The Reb was only a second too quick for me. The ball was evidently aimed at my breast but hi the stock of my gun and glanced into my arm. It entered the inside of the arm about three inches from the shoulder, grazing the bone and lodging in the lower side. Striking my gun stopped its force and battered it up so it made a very jagged wound. I was ordered to the r ear, and since then have heard nothing from the regiment. There were three of our company hit before I was, but no one from our party. How many there were hit afterwards I cannot tell. The wounded were all sent to Fredericksburg, and from there to Washington where they are being sent to their own states. I expect to go tomorrow to some hospital in New York. I only regret that I am compelled to leave the front at so important a time.
Hoping soon to see my friends in St Lawrence and that our distracted country may soon be restored to peach and union. I remain your most humble servant,
W. H. Macomber
Co M, 14th NYVA" (Heavy Artillery)
(William H. Macomber enlisted at Parishville, NY
Contributor: Constance Sterner
William H Macomber
Residence: Parishville, New York
Age at Enlistment: 28
Enlistment Date: 8 Dec 1863
Rank at enlistment: Private
Enlistment Place: Parishville, New York
State Served: New York
Survived the War?: Yes
Service Record: Enlisted in Company M, New York 14th Heavy Artillery Regiment on 29 Dec 1863.Promoted to Full Corporal.Promoted to Full Private on 01 Jan 1865.Mustered out on 13 May 1865 at Chester, PA.
Birth Date: abt 1835
Sources: New York: Report of the Adjutant-General
Contributor: Linda Linn
The 14th NY Heavy Artillery:
From Courier & Freeman 5/25/1864 (Potsdam, NY) - written May 19th - from Harewood hospital in Washington, DC.."The 14th has since last I wrote you, had a pretty severe lesson in marching and fighting and can now safely be called veteran. The boys as a general thing have done their duty nobly and but very little but very little straggling occurred. We left Warrenton Junction on the morning of the 3rd inst. and from that time until the 12th the day I was wounded, we were constantly under ____and within hearing of the great struggle that was going on and much of the time formed in line of battle, momentarily expecting an attack. We however, escaped being under fire until the 12th. On the 11th we were marched three or four miles and formed in battle line across a field in rear of a house where we lay during the forenoon, and in the afternoon we were deployed along a small creek as skirmishers. Just at night we were ordered to advance, which we did and drove a few Rebs over two or three lines of rifle pits, they only firing a few shots and then falling back. We advanced in this way about a mile, and halted at another rifle pit. From there I could hear the rebs talk and laugh and in a short time their brass band struck up and played a number of fine airs, among which was "Yankee Doodle," and I thought they played it very well. After staying here until about 11 o'clock pm we were drawn off and formed in line of battle along a hollow to the left and rear. It had been raining that afternoon, and the bushes and grass were wet and cold, but so tired and sleepy had the boys become that they sank down in their places in line and slept till morning. As soon as daybreak, heavy musketry firing was commenced on our right and gradually came down the line toward us. We were moved immediately to a new position and the first platoon of our company were ordered to deploy as skirmishers, to protect the left flank. I went with them and we entered the bushes on the left and deployed along an old rifle pit. A part of Co L was on our left, forming a right angle, their left resting on a road which ran along by the side of the woods. What disposition was made of the rest of the regiment I am unable to say, for I did not see them afterwards. We lay there in the woods until about 5 o'clock PM all the time expecting an attack. During the whole day the fight raged on our right, some of the time the firing coming so near we would seize our guns and make ready to fire, and then again it would recede and we would sit down again and eat another "hardtack." the roar of the battle on our right was truly awful. The shells of both sides passed over our heads, and some of them cut the bushes above us, while the continuous rattle of musketry and the yells of the Rebs as they charged on our batteries and the shouts of our boys as they drove them back again altogether created a din which must be heard to be comprehended. About 5 o'clock Co L commenced a scattered firing and soon afterward a terrific yell announced the approach of the Rebs on our left and in front. We all sprang to our places and as I placed myself behind a large oak tree I saw a gray back cautiously coming through the bushes and it was only the work of an instant to draw a bead on him and fire. I do not know how it fared with him, but I saw him no more. I reloaded and waited for another shot. By this time the balls were flying pretty lively and our boys were getting fully waked up. I soon saw their line and gave them another bullet but this time more at random. In a minute or so I saw a bush move in front and to the right, and instantly brought my piece to bear o it, but before I could pull the trigger, a wreath of smoke curled up from behind it and my right arm fell at my side. The Reb was only a second too quick for me. The ball was evidently aimed at my breast but hi the stock of my gun and glanced into my arm. It entered the inside of the arm about three inches from the shoulder, grazing the bone and lodging in the lower side. Striking my gun stopped its force and battered it up so it made a very jagged wound. I was ordered to the r ear, and since then have heard nothing from the regiment. There were three of our company hit before I was, but no one from our party. How many there were hit afterwards I cannot tell. The wounded were all sent to Fredericksburg, and from there to Washington where they are being sent to their own states. I expect to go tomorrow to some hospital in New York. I only regret that I am compelled to leave the front at so important a time.
Hoping soon to see my friends in St Lawrence and that our distracted country may soon be restored to peach and union. I remain your most humble servant,
W. H. Macomber
Co M, 14th NYVA" (Heavy Artillery)
(William H. Macomber enlisted at Parishville, NY
Contributor: Constance Sterner
Civil War Veteran
William H Macomber
Residence: Parishville, New York
Age at Enlistment: 28
Enlistment Date: 8 Dec 1863
Rank at enlistment: Private
Enlistment Place: Parishville, New York
State Served: New York
Survived the War?: Yes
Service Record: Enlisted in Company M, New York 14th Heavy Artillery Regiment on 29 Dec 1863.Promoted to Full Corporal.Promoted to Full Private on 01 Jan 1865.Mustered out on 13 May 1865 at Chester, PA.
Birth Date: abt 1835
Sources: New York: Report of the Adjutant-General
Contributor: Linda Linn
The 14th NY Heavy Artillery:
From Courier & Freeman 5/25/1864 (Potsdam, NY) - written May 19th - from Harewood hospital in Washington, DC.."The 14th has since last I wrote you, had a pretty severe lesson in marching and fighting and can now safely be called veteran. The boys as a general thing have done their duty nobly and but very little but very little straggling occurred. We left Warrenton Junction on the morning of the 3rd inst. and from that time until the 12th the day I was wounded, we were constantly under ____and within hearing of the great struggle that was going on and much of the time formed in line of battle, momentarily expecting an attack. We however, escaped being under fire until the 12th. On the 11th we were marched three or four miles and formed in battle line across a field in rear of a house where we lay during the forenoon, and in the afternoon we were deployed along a small creek as skirmishers. Just at night we were ordered to advance, which we did and drove a few Rebs over two or three lines of rifle pits, they only firing a few shots and then falling back. We advanced in this way about a mile, and halted at another rifle pit. From there I could hear the rebs talk and laugh and in a short time their brass band struck up and played a number of fine airs, among which was "Yankee Doodle," and I thought they played it very well. After staying here until about 11 o'clock pm we were drawn off and formed in line of battle along a hollow to the left and rear. It had been raining that afternoon, and the bushes and grass were wet and cold, but so tired and sleepy had the boys become that they sank down in their places in line and slept till morning. As soon as daybreak, heavy musketry firing was commenced on our right and gradually came down the line toward us. We were moved immediately to a new position and the first platoon of our company were ordered to deploy as skirmishers, to protect the left flank. I went with them and we entered the bushes on the left and deployed along an old rifle pit. A part of Co L was on our left, forming a right angle, their left resting on a road which ran along by the side of the woods. What disposition was made of the rest of the regiment I am unable to say, for I did not see them afterwards. We lay there in the woods until about 5 o'clock PM all the time expecting an attack. During the whole day the fight raged on our right, some of the time the firing coming so near we would seize our guns and make ready to fire, and then again it would recede and we would sit down again and eat another "hardtack." the roar of the battle on our right was truly awful. The shells of both sides passed over our heads, and some of them cut the bushes above us, while the continuous rattle of musketry and the yells of the Rebs as they charged on our batteries and the shouts of our boys as they drove them back again altogether created a din which must be heard to be comprehended. About 5 o'clock Co L commenced a scattered firing and soon afterward a terrific yell announced the approach of the Rebs on our left and in front. We all sprang to our places and as I placed myself behind a large oak tree I saw a gray back cautiously coming through the bushes and it was only the work of an instant to draw a bead on him and fire. I do not know how it fared with him, but I saw him no more. I reloaded and waited for another shot. By this time the balls were flying pretty lively and our boys were getting fully waked up. I soon saw their line and gave them another bullet but this time more at random. In a minute or so I saw a bush move in front and to the right, and instantly brought my piece to bear o it, but before I could pull the trigger, a wreath of smoke curled up from behind it and my right arm fell at my side. The Reb was only a second too quick for me. The ball was evidently aimed at my breast but hi the stock of my gun and glanced into my arm. It entered the inside of the arm about three inches from the shoulder, grazing the bone and lodging in the lower side. Striking my gun stopped its force and battered it up so it made a very jagged wound. I was ordered to the r ear, and since then have heard nothing from the regiment. There were three of our company hit before I was, but no one from our party. How many there were hit afterwards I cannot tell. The wounded were all sent to Fredericksburg, and from there to Washington where they are being sent to their own states. I expect to go tomorrow to some hospital in New York. I only regret that I am compelled to leave the front at so important a time.
Hoping soon to see my friends in St Lawrence and that our distracted country may soon be restored to peach and union. I remain your most humble servant,
W. H. Macomber
Co M, 14th NYVA" (Heavy Artillery)
(William H. Macomber enlisted at Parishville, NY
Contributor: Constance Sterner
William H Macomber
Residence: Parishville, New York
Age at Enlistment: 28
Enlistment Date: 8 Dec 1863
Rank at enlistment: Private
Enlistment Place: Parishville, New York
State Served: New York
Survived the War?: Yes
Service Record: Enlisted in Company M, New York 14th Heavy Artillery Regiment on 29 Dec 1863.Promoted to Full Corporal.Promoted to Full Private on 01 Jan 1865.Mustered out on 13 May 1865 at Chester, PA.
Birth Date: abt 1835
Sources: New York: Report of the Adjutant-General
Contributor: Linda Linn
The 14th NY Heavy Artillery:
From Courier & Freeman 5/25/1864 (Potsdam, NY) - written May 19th - from Harewood hospital in Washington, DC.."The 14th has since last I wrote you, had a pretty severe lesson in marching and fighting and can now safely be called veteran. The boys as a general thing have done their duty nobly and but very little but very little straggling occurred. We left Warrenton Junction on the morning of the 3rd inst. and from that time until the 12th the day I was wounded, we were constantly under ____and within hearing of the great struggle that was going on and much of the time formed in line of battle, momentarily expecting an attack. We however, escaped being under fire until the 12th. On the 11th we were marched three or four miles and formed in battle line across a field in rear of a house where we lay during the forenoon, and in the afternoon we were deployed along a small creek as skirmishers. Just at night we were ordered to advance, which we did and drove a few Rebs over two or three lines of rifle pits, they only firing a few shots and then falling back. We advanced in this way about a mile, and halted at another rifle pit. From there I could hear the rebs talk and laugh and in a short time their brass band struck up and played a number of fine airs, among which was "Yankee Doodle," and I thought they played it very well. After staying here until about 11 o'clock pm we were drawn off and formed in line of battle along a hollow to the left and rear. It had been raining that afternoon, and the bushes and grass were wet and cold, but so tired and sleepy had the boys become that they sank down in their places in line and slept till morning. As soon as daybreak, heavy musketry firing was commenced on our right and gradually came down the line toward us. We were moved immediately to a new position and the first platoon of our company were ordered to deploy as skirmishers, to protect the left flank. I went with them and we entered the bushes on the left and deployed along an old rifle pit. A part of Co L was on our left, forming a right angle, their left resting on a road which ran along by the side of the woods. What disposition was made of the rest of the regiment I am unable to say, for I did not see them afterwards. We lay there in the woods until about 5 o'clock PM all the time expecting an attack. During the whole day the fight raged on our right, some of the time the firing coming so near we would seize our guns and make ready to fire, and then again it would recede and we would sit down again and eat another "hardtack." the roar of the battle on our right was truly awful. The shells of both sides passed over our heads, and some of them cut the bushes above us, while the continuous rattle of musketry and the yells of the Rebs as they charged on our batteries and the shouts of our boys as they drove them back again altogether created a din which must be heard to be comprehended. About 5 o'clock Co L commenced a scattered firing and soon afterward a terrific yell announced the approach of the Rebs on our left and in front. We all sprang to our places and as I placed myself behind a large oak tree I saw a gray back cautiously coming through the bushes and it was only the work of an instant to draw a bead on him and fire. I do not know how it fared with him, but I saw him no more. I reloaded and waited for another shot. By this time the balls were flying pretty lively and our boys were getting fully waked up. I soon saw their line and gave them another bullet but this time more at random. In a minute or so I saw a bush move in front and to the right, and instantly brought my piece to bear o it, but before I could pull the trigger, a wreath of smoke curled up from behind it and my right arm fell at my side. The Reb was only a second too quick for me. The ball was evidently aimed at my breast but hi the stock of my gun and glanced into my arm. It entered the inside of the arm about three inches from the shoulder, grazing the bone and lodging in the lower side. Striking my gun stopped its force and battered it up so it made a very jagged wound. I was ordered to the r ear, and since then have heard nothing from the regiment. There were three of our company hit before I was, but no one from our party. How many there were hit afterwards I cannot tell. The wounded were all sent to Fredericksburg, and from there to Washington where they are being sent to their own states. I expect to go tomorrow to some hospital in New York. I only regret that I am compelled to leave the front at so important a time.
Hoping soon to see my friends in St Lawrence and that our distracted country may soon be restored to peach and union. I remain your most humble servant,
W. H. Macomber
Co M, 14th NYVA" (Heavy Artillery)
(William H. Macomber enlisted at Parishville, NY
Contributor: Constance Sterner
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