ARE YOU READY
FOR LIVING HISTORY, ADVENTURE, AND FUN?
ARE YOU 12 THRU 15 YEARS OLD?
JOIN THE ZOUAVE CADETS!
Company E
44th New York Infantry
(The Official Cadet Corps for the Union Brigade)
16 YEARS OR OLDER?
JOIN
Company D
44th NEW YORK INFANTRY
The Ellsworth Avengers!
The Elite 44th N.Y. fought with the famous
20th Maine at Gettysburg to defend Little Round Top
BE A PART OF THIS HISTORIC REGIMENT!
History of the 44th New York Infantry Regiment The regiment was named the People's Ellsworth Regt., or the more popular title of Ellsworth's Avengers. The name commemorated the famous Col. Elmer Ellsworth, the first Union Officer to be killed in the war. The regt. did not recruit just anyone, they had to be nominated by patriotic groups, and meet strict requirements: Be under age 30 and stand at least 5' 8" tall. They had to be of "sound moral character" and abstain from alcohol.
View of the "Valley of Death" from the 44th NY Monument on Little Round Top at Gettysburg Recruits were inducted Aug. 8, 1861 from all over the State, not just a local area, as with most volunteer regts. In Oct. the 44th joined the Army of the Potomac, Porter's Div., Butterfield's Bde. The 44th saw hard fighting in the Peninsula Campaign, at Hanover Court House, Gaines Mill, and Malvern Hill- where it participated in a spirited bayonet charge. To help make up losses, a new Co. "E" was formed-- the nucleus were boys from the Albany State Normal School. This is what we base our "Cadet Corps" on. (See note below.)
The 44th became part of Col. Strong Vincent's Bde., 1st Div., 5th Corps. It had heavy losses at Fredricksburg and Chancellorsville. But it's most important battle was at Gettysburg, defending Little Round Top, along with the 20th Maine, 83d Penn., and 16th Michigan. Look for the 44th's castle-like monument on Little Round Top (it's 44 ft. high!)
The regiment participated in General Grant's 1864 campaign, including the battles of the Wilderness, Laurel Hill, and Cold Harbor. The survivors were mustered out on Oct. 11, 1864. Only 184 men were left of the 1061 enrolled.
More on the History of the 44th New York Infantry Regiment
Uniforms The regt. was issued dark blue zouave style uniforms with red shirts and trim on the jacket and pants stripe. When they left camp to join the Army of the Potomac, they packed a way the zouave uniforms and obtained a variety of uniforms: N.Y. State shell jackets, frock coats, and sack coats. (So in this re-enactment unit one can wear almost any standard federal uniform and still have a correct impression!) At the end of '62 the uniforms were in tatters, so two officers were sent back to N.Y. to bring up the trunks of zouave uniforms. Since there were less than half the members left, there were plenty of uniforms to go around, and seems to have supplied them to the end of '64.
Cadet Corps Re-enactment Group The Cadet Corps provides an opportunity for 12 -- 15 year olds to participate in skirmishes and other activities. The purpose of the Cadet unit is as follows:
1 . Education- The cadet will gain knowledge of a part of our Nation's history, by re-enacting the camp and battlefield life of the CW soldier.
2. Safety instruction- Cadets will learn firearms safety.
3. Values- Cadets who really get involved, will gain a "sense of history" and a link with the past. They come to understand some of the traditions of our Nation. Also, they can learn the value of duty, responsibility, co-operation, and such.
4. To have fun!
More Websites Related to the 44th NY 44th New York Infantry of Bakersfield, CA 44th New York Infantry in the North-South Skirmish Association (N-SSA)
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