Charles A Leach

Service Record: Enlisted as a Corporal on 11 December 1861 in Boonville, NY at the age of 18; Enlisted in Company B, 97th Infantry Regiment New York on 17 December 1861; Promoted to Full Sergeant on 26 December 1863; was POW on 18 August 1864; was Paroled on 08 May 1865; Discharged on 06 June 1865 in Washington, DC 
Sources: New York: Report of the Adjutant-General. (NY Roster) Published in 1894-1906 

Regimental History
NEW YORK NINETY-SEVENTH INFANTRY
Source: The Union Army, Vol. 2, p. 119

Ninety-seventh Infantry.-Cols., Charles Wheelock, John P. Spofford; Lieut.-Cols., John P. Spofford, Rouse S. Eggleston; Majs., Charles Northrup, Rouse S. Eggleston, Delos E. Hall.

The 97th, called the Conkling Rifles, was recruited in Oneida and Herkimer counties and mustered into the U. S. service at Boonville, Feb. 19, 1862, for a three years' term. It left for Washington on March 12; was quartered at Fort Corcoran as part of Gen. Wadsworth's command until May, when it was assigned to the 2nd brigade, 2nd division, Department of the Rappahannock and moved into Virginia, where it occupied various posts in the neighborhood of the Rappahannock river; was engaged at Cedar 
mountain, and lost 111 in killed, wounded and missing in the Manassas campaign.

On Sept. 12, the regiment, which had served with the 3d corps, was assigned to the 1st corps and fought in the 1st brigade, 2nd division at South mountain and Antietam, suffering in the latter battle the most severe loss of any battle of its service-24 killed, 74 wounded and 9 missing.

At Fredericksburg the regiment was prominently engaged, but not at Chancellorsville in the following May. It marched with the corps to Gettysburg and distinguished itself by the brilliantly executed capture of the colors of the 20th N. C. and 382 prisoners.

On the southward march it was present at Bristoe Station and was in the Mine Run movement. While in camp at Brandy station, a sufficient number reenlisted to secure the continuance of the 97th in the field as a veteran regiment.

In June, 1864, it was joined by the veterans and recruits of the 83d N. Y. infantry and in August, by the 94th, the 26th N. Y. having already been added to it in May, 1863. During Grant's famous campaign the 97th served in the 3d and 2nd divisions, 5th corps.

Its heaviest losses during this campaign and subsequent operations were in the Wilderness, at Spottsylvania and near the Weldon railroad, but it shared in other engagements of the brigade at the North Anna river, Totopotomy Cold Harbor, White Oak Swamp, before Petersburg, in the Hicksford raid and the Appomattox campaign. It was mustered out near Washington, July 18, 1865, having lost during service 182 by death from wounds and 157 by death from accident, imprisonment or disease, of whom 54 died in captivity.



NEW YORK NINETY-SEVENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY (VETERAN).
Third Oneida; Boonville Regiment; Conkling Rifles.
(Three Years)

This regiment, Col. Charles Wheelock, was organized at Boonville, and there mustered in the service of the United States for three years February 18, 1862. In May, 1863, it received by transfer the three years' men of the 26th Infantry; June 7, 1864, the men of the 83d Infantry, not mustered out with their regiment, and August 10, 1864, 103 men of the 94th Infantry. At the expiration of its term of enlistment, the men entitled thereto were discharged, and the regiment retained in service.

The companies were recruited principally: A and C at Boonville; B in Lewis county; D and F at Salisbury; E at Prospect and vicinity; G in Herkimer county; H at Utica and Lowville; I at Little Falls; and K at Rome.

The regiment left the State March 12, 1862; served in General Wadsworth's command, Military District of Washington, from March, 1862; in 2d Brigade, 2d Division, Department of Rappahannock, from May, 1862; in 1st Brigade, 2d Division, 3d Corps, Army of Virginia, from June 26, 1862; in 1st Brigade, 2d 
Division, 1st Corps, Army of Potomac, from September 12, 1862; in 3d Brigade, 2d Division, 1st Corps, Army of Potomac, from December, 1862; in 2d Brigade, same division and corps, from May, 1863; in same brigade and division, 5th Corps, Army of Potomac, from March, 1864; in 2d Brigade, 3d Division, 5th Corps, from May 9, 1864; in 2d Brigade, 2d Division, 5th Corps, from May 30, 1864; in 2d Brigade, 3d Division, 5th Corps, from June 6, 1864; and it was honorably discharged and mustered out, under Col. John P. Spofford, July 18, 1865, near Washington, D. C.

Source: Phisterer, 3,111

Battles Fought

Fought on 03 June 1862 at Catlett's Station, VA.
Fought on 29 August 1862 at 2nd Bull Run, VA.
Fought on 30 August 1862 at 2nd Bull Run, VA.
Fought on 31 August 1862 at 2nd Bull Run, VA.
Fought on 14 September 1862 at South Mountain, MD.
Fought on 16 September 1862 at South Mountain, MD.
Fought on 17 September 1862 at Antietam, MD.
Fought on 11 December 1862 at Fredericksburg, VA.
Fought on 13 December 1862 at Fredericksburg, VA.
Fought on 01 April 1863.
Fought on 02 May 1863 at Chancellorsville, VA.
Fought on 25 June 1863.
Fought on 01 July 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.
Fought on 02 July 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.
Fought on 03 July 1863 at Gettysburg, PA.
Fought on 15 September 1863.
Fought on 10 October 1863.
Fought on 10 October 1863 at On The March.
Fought on 13 October 1863 at On The March.
Fought on 14 October 1863 at Bristoe Station, VA.
Fought on 24 October 1863 at On The March.
Fought on 08 November 1863 at Rappahannock Station, VA.
Fought on 02 December 1863 at Mine Run, VA.
Fought on 04 May 1864 at Culpeper, VA.
Fought on 04 May 1864 at Wilderness, VA.
Fought on 05 May 1864 at Wilderness, VA.
Fought on 06 May 1864 at Wilderness, VA.
Fought on 08 May 1864 at Laurel Hill, VA.
Fought on 08 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 10 May 1864 at Laurel Hill, VA.
Fought on 11 May 1864 at Laurel Hill, VA.
Fought on 11 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 12 May 1864 at Laurel Hill, VA.
Fought on 12 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Fought on 13 May 1864 at Laurel Hill, VA.
Fought on 15 May 1864.
Fought on 23 May 1864 at Hanover Junction, VA.
Fought on 23 May 1864 at Laurel Hill, VA.
Fought on 23 May 1864 at North Anna River, VA.
Fought on 24 May 1864 at North Anna River, VA.
Fought on 25 May 1864 at North Anna River, VA.
Fought on 01 June 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 01 June 1864 at Old Church, VA.
Fought on 02 June 1864 at Bethesda Church, VA.
Fought on 02 June 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 02 June 1864 at Old Church, VA.
Fought on 03 June 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 03 June 1864 at Old Church, VA.
Fought on 04 June 1864 at Bethesda Church, VA.
Fought on 04 June 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 04 June 1864 at Old Church, VA.
Fought on 05 June 1864 at Bethesda Church, VA.
Fought on 05 June 1864 at Grove Church, VA.
Fought on 05 June 1864 at Old Church, VA.
Fought on 06 June 1864 at Old Church, VA.
Fought on 07 June 1864 at Bethesda Church, VA.
Fought on 07 June 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 08 June 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 08 June 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 10 June 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA.
Fought on 12 June 1864 at White Oak Swamp, VA.
Fought on 13 June 1864 at White Oak Swamp, VA.
Fought on 15 June 1864 at White Oak Swamp, VA.
Fought on 17 June 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 18 June 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 19 June 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 20 June 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 21 June 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 22 June 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 23 June 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 24 June 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 25 June 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 15 July 1864.
Fought on 18 July 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 01 August 1864.
Fought on 15 August 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
Fought on 18 August 1864 at Weldon Railroad, VA. This is the day Charles was taken as a prisoner of War.

WELDON RAILROAD, VA
AUG, 18TH - 21ST, 1864 

Weldon Railroad Va., Aug. 18-21, 1864. 5th and 9th Army Corps; Spear's and Gregg's Cavalry. During the siege of Petersburg Maj.-Geni G. K Warren, commanding the 5th corps, was sent on an expedition against the Weldon railroad, which connected Petersburg with Weldon N. C. Warren moved at 4 a.m. on the 18th, with his own corps and Spear's cavalry brigade, and about 7 o'clock encountered the Confederate pickets about a mile from Globe Tavern, a small station on the railroad; 5 miles south of Petersburg. Griffin's division, which was in advance, was formed in line of battle skirmishers were deployed and pushed forward, and a number of prisoners belonging to Dearing's cavalry brigade were captured. Ayres, division was then moved north along the railroad, the intersection of the Vaughan road being the objective point, but Dearing had reported to Beauregard that the Federals were in force at Globe Tavern, and after proceeding about a mile Ayres found Heth's division in position, with artillery, to dispute further progress. Heth opened fire with his battery, Ayres quickly formed his division in line of battle, Crawford's division was thrown to the right of Ayres to outflank the enemy, and Hofmann's brigade of Cutler's division was moved up to support the first line. After some sharp fighting Heth was driven back and Warren pressed forward to within a mile of the Vaughan road. Meade now sent word to Warren to hold on at all hazards, and ordered Maj.Gen. John G. Parke, commanding the 9th corps, to send forward reinforcements to assist Warren in retaining his hold on the railroad. Parke sent forward the divisions of Willcox Potter and White, and Mott's division of the 2nd corps, which was temporarily attached to the 9th. These troops were soon afterward followed by Gregg's cavalry division and 200 men to engage in the destruction of the track toward Reams, station. Beauregard also sent out reinforcements, consisting of three brigades of Mahone's division, W. H. F. Lee's cavalry and Pegram's artillery, all under command of Lieut.-Gen. A. P. Hill. On the afternoon of the 19th this force was concentrated at the Vaughan road junction for an attack on Warren, who had in the meantime moved up to within half a mile of that point. 

On the morning of the 19th Warren sent Bragg's brigade to the right, with instructions to support Crawford and establish connection with the skirmishers near the Jerusalem plank road. A little after 4 p.m. Heth attacked Ayres in front, while Mahone moved round Crawford's right broke through Bragg's line and struck Crawford's skirmish line and part of his line of battle in the rear. The skirmish line fell back and in doing so carried with it Crawford's line of battle and the right of Ayres' line. Crawford was surrounded and compelled to fight in all directions. The enemy pressed forward, confident upon victory, but just at this critical moment Willcox's veteran division arrived on the field. The brigades of Hartranft and Humphrey were ordered to the support of Crawford and the Confederates were driven back with considerable loss. In the melee Lyle's brigade of Crawford's division suffered heavily in prisoners, Gen. Hays, commanding Ayres' 1st brigade, was captured, and Crawford was at one time prisoner, but managed to escape. Humphrey and Hartranft now advanced and drove the enemy from the captured works, taking a battleflag and a large number of prisoners. White's division engaged Colquitt's brigade, drove it back and captured some prisoners. Warren reformed his line and moved forward, retaking all the ground that had been lost, and, pursuant to Gen. Meade's orders, intrenched "as close up to the enemy's works as he could get," though the next day he drew back about a mile to more open 
ground, where his artillery could be used to better advantage. 

At 9 a.m. on the 21st Hill's entire corps, part of Hoke's division and Lee's cavalry attacked Warren's new position. The Confederates opened with artillery, which was kept up for about an hour, when assaults were made simultaneously along the north and west of the Federal lines, but every attack was repulsed, the artillery doing good service, which demonstrated Warren's wisdom in falling back out of the woods. As the enemy fell back the Union skirmish line advanced and captured about 200 prisoners, besides 139 wounded that were brought in. Among the prisoners were 39 commissioned officers. Later in the day Mahone assaulted the left of Warren's works with such energy that Hagood's brigade got inside the lines, though but very few of the men belonging to that command got out again, being captured in a body.

The Federal loss during the four days' operations was 251 killed, 1,149 wounded and 2,879 missing. Most of the missing were those captured during the assault on Crawford on the 19th. The Confederate loss was not ascertained, but it must have been much heavier as Warren's troops buried 211 of the 
enemy's dead after the assault of the 21st.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 6

Fought on 19 August 1864 at Weldon Railroad, VA.
Fought on 19 September 1864 at Weldon Railroad, VA.
Fought on 07 October 1864 at Weldon Railroad, VA.
Fought on 08 October 1864.
Fought on 15 November 1864.
Fought on 10 December 1864 at Bellfield, VA.
Fought on 10 December 1864 at Hicksford Raid, VA.
Fought on 15 December 1864 at Hicksford, VA.
Fought on 05 February 1865 at Hatcher's Run, VA.
Fought on 06 February 1865 at Hatcher's Run, VA.
Fought on 07 February 1865 at Hatcher's Run, VA.
Charles was paroled to the Northern Army on February 22, 1865
Fought on 25 February 1865 at Hatcher's Run, VA.
Fought on 26 February 1865 at Wilmington, NC.
Fought on 15 March 1865.
Fought on 30 March 1865 at White Oak Ridge, VA.
Fought on 31 March 1865 at Gravelly Run, VA.
Fought on 31 March 1865 at Hatcher's Run, VA.
Fought on 31 March 1865 at White Oak Ridge, VA.
Fought on 01 April 1865 at Five Forks, VA.
Fought on 02 April 1865 at Petersburg, VA.