76th New York Infantry ID Disc & Reunion Badge - John G. Apgar

[John Fushi]

On September 16, 1861, John enlisted at Peruville as a private in Company C of the 76th New York Volunteer Infantry.  He was mustered into service at Cortland, New York, on October 5. However, John's fellow recruits elected him as the 1st Lieutenant of his company. Unfortunately, John never received his commission. His term of service as an officer ended on November 25, 1861, after which he became a private again. The 76th New York was re-organized in Albany in January 1862. The regiment traveled to Washington, DC.  During a severe rain and snow storm, the entire command being without shelter of any kind  John G. Apgar contracted rheumatism from exposure and was treated. Typhoid pneumonia also broke out in the camp at Meridian Hill and caused the first death in the regiment. John had recurring problems with rheumatism and inflammation of the legs termed "erysipelas ". The surgeon continued to treat him for these problems. September 11th, 1862 was when he was unable to perform military duty due to earlier sickness and was sent to the Harewood US Army General Hospital in Washington, DC. Muster rolls indicate he served as a nurse from September to November 1862 and listed as a patient in January and February 1863. John would never return to his regiment and would be transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, also known as the "Invalid Corps" later in 1863.

 

On July 24, 1864, John wrote a letter to Ezra B. Cornell, the wealthy benefactor of Cornell University, informing him of his nephew's death in the hospital from a wound suffered in battle. He wrote that the young man was "buried on Arlington Heights on the farm formerly owned by General Robert E. Lee, at present commanding the Rebel Army", and assured Mr. Ezra Cornell that "his and all other graves are properly marked and a record kept so that if the friends wish to they can remove the body". The letter is preserved in Cornell's archives.

 

ID Disc

 

 

Reunion Badge

[USCapturephotos]

Great find! Union I’d discs are one of my favorite artifacts from the Civil War. Also shows the huge impact that disease had on both armies.

Paul

[M24 Chaffee]

Very nice disc! Soldiers dealing with these types of health issues while in service are unfortunate and numerous. 
 

Frank

[katieony]

A very nice original example...thanks for sharing it!