Introducing the 111th NY Volunteer Infantry Regiment of the Union Army in the War of the Rebellion, 1862

Revised and edited by Deb Hall, June 2025

Original written by George & Deb McGraw, June 2023

This article is the first of many written over the last 2 years telling the story of the soldiers of the 111^th Regiment from Wayne and Cayuga Counties who served in the Civil War. The story expands to other regiments and their ancestors who were soldiers in the American Revolution or War of 1812. These articles contain well-researched, poignant and personal stories about the soldiers of Wayne County who volunteered to serve in the early armed forces of our nation.

Researchers and Civil War soldier descendants, siblings George and Deborah McGraw, embarked on this journey years ago when they learned of their family connection to a Civil War veteran. They commenced their journey with a rhetorical question, “Where was your great-grandfather in July 1893?  Ours was in Gettysburg to mark the 30^th anniversary of that great battle.”

In 1893, their great-grandfather, Issac

Mullie (Williamson) of Company D of the 111^th regiment, went on a trip with tens of thousands of aging veterans back Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to remember what they did there just 30 years ago, over three days in July. They went to honor the sacrifices of those who fell and never rose again. Among the attendees was Issac Mullie and many other union and confederate soldiers, gathered for a reunion and a commemoration.

The history of the 111^th started with over 1,100 men mustering into service on August 20, 1862, and the next day, marching toward the seat of war. Orders had directed the Regiment to help defend Harpers Ferry during the Maryland Campaign in what is now West Virgina – a decision that would dictate the regiment’s destiny in unimaginable ways. After a humiliating surrender and then confinement at Camp Douglas, the 111^th finally redeemed itself at Gettysburg in 1863. Of the 350 men taken into that battle, 246 fell to casualties – a staggering 70%. 

These New Yorkers and Wayne Countians would go on to fight in every major battle in the east, from the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Cold Harbor, to the siege of Petersburg and the end of the war at Appomattox in April 1865. When the men returned home as heroes, little more than one hundred of those who originally joined in 1862 were left in the ranks.   

Photo from 1891 Monument Dedication

Two years before the 30^th anniversary, on a beautiful June day in 1891, veterans of the 111^th gathered south of the town of Gettysburg to dedicate a monument to honor those who fought in the battle. A tall stone pedestal topped with the bronze statue of a soldier was placed next to Abraham Brian’s barn where the 111^th held their ground against Pickett’s Charge on July 3, 1863.

That day in 1891, speeches were made and pictures taken. Comrades at arms were gathered to remember things to which only they could attest. One of the men, Issac Mullie, would not talk about his participation to family members for nearly two generations. It was only through the discovery of Civil War documents found in an old attic trunk, mixed with newspapers in their grandfather’s house in Williamson, did the siblings begin to piece together their family story. Items found were:

• A Letter to Issac Mullie’s brother

• Discharge paper similar to what today is known as a DD214

• Company D Roster

• Lithograph of Harewood Hospital in DC where Issac had been a patient

• 111^th Gettysburg monument picture

• GAR ribbons (photo) from trip to Gettysburg in 1891 when they dedicated the monument

• Gettysburg reunion ribbon from 30-year in 1893

Today, this effort is to honor this legacy that goes beyond one man to a whole company, regiment, army and nation.  The mountain of research has spawned the creation of a full-size bronze monument depicting the contributions of Wayne County soldiers. Commissioned by the Wayne County Historical Society, True Valor will find a home in Lyons Central Park, the county seat for Wayne County, in the summer/fall of 2026.

Volunteer and staff researchers are continuing to identify descendants (and ancestors) of the men of the 111^th as well as from other NY Union regiments. Because of these articles, many more descendants of Wayne County soldiers have been identified. If you have a family member who served in the Civil War or have items related to their service, please contact us at info@waynehistory.org or 315 946-4943.

The Wayne County Historical Society and Museum of History has a military room that is being remodeled with soldier research in preparation for the national 250^th celebration in 2026. This July also marks a 12-month countdown to the monument dedication. Stay tuned for dates and events highlighting, celebrating and commemorating Wayne County’s historic contributions. ###