The 44th New York at the Battle of Gettysburg

From the New York Unit History Project.

The inscription of the Gettysburg monument:

"The 44th under Freeman Conner held position about 100 feet in front of the monument from about 5 p.m. July 2 to about 11 a.m. July 3, 1863.

"313 engaged-  killed 2 officers, 24 enlisted; wounded 5 officers (one died) and 75 enlisted of which ten died.  Total loss 106.

"At noon July 3 placed in reserve where they remained to the end of the battle."

A Hard Fight.  --Old Secesh

The 44th and 12th New York Regiments At Gettysburg-- Part 2: 44th Casualties 111 of 460.

This is quite an impressive monument by looking at pictures of it.

The 4th New York was commanded at Gettysburg by Colonel James C, Rice who then took over command of the brigade at the battle.Freeman Conner then took command of the 44th.  It brought 460 men into the battle, losing 26 killed, 82  wounded and 3 missing.

Two companies of the 12th New York were in action at the battle:  Companies D and E and brought 116 men onto  the field, suffering no casualties.  Commander of the 12th was Captain Henry W. Ryder

--Old Secesh

Col. Freeman Conner, 44th New York

From Find-A-Grave.

Lt. Colonel Freeman Conner

Born 22 March 1836, Exeter, New Hampshire

Died  28 March 1906, Chicago, Illinois

Buried at Graceland Memorial Park, Valparaiso, Indiana.

--Old Secesh

44th New York, Ellsworth's Regiment-- Part 2: Losses During War

Everyone reported to Albany where they organized under orders of October 21, 1861, mustering for three years' service.  They left the state on October 21, 1861.

They were honorably mustered out October 11, 1864, under Colonel Freeman Conner at Albany.

During the war they lost KIA:  Officers 5, 120 enlisted.  Of wounds received in battle: 1 officer and 62 enlisted.  Of disease and other causes:  2 officers and 145 enlisted

Fifteen men died at the hands of the enemy.

Total 335 deaths.

At the Battle of Gettysburg, they were on the left of the Union line at Little Round Top where they suffered their greatest loss with 111 killed, wounded or missing.

--Old Sexesh

Freeman Conner's Swords-- Part 2

Freeman Conner carried his second sword at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville Gettysburg, Spotsylvania and other battles.

He was born in Exeter, New Hampshire.  When his 11th New York did not reorganize in 1862, he went to New York and enlisted as a private in the new 44th New York Infantry and then became captain of Co. D, where he got his first sword.  Later, he was promoted to major and then lieutenant colonel.

Both swords surfaced in August 1995 at a house for sale in Glencoe, Illinois, -- not far from Lake Forest Academy where Conner taught before the Civil War.  The two swords were sold to two different individuals that day.

They were reunited by Chicago collector Richard K. Tibbals in September 2001.

The two swords did not sell at the auction in 2005.

Always interesting on hearing what happened to items after the war.

--Old Secesh

Freeman Conner's Swords-- Part 1: Two Offered at Auction in 2005

From the Cowan's Auctions site.

These two swords were offered at a November 2005 auction by the company.

One of the two swords was bullet struck.  Freeman Conner and the 44th New York were instrumental in the defense of the Little Round Top on July 2, 1863, at the Battle of Gettysburg.

The sword is inscribed:  "Capt. Freeman Conner / from Company D / P.E.R. (People's Ellsworth Regiment?) /  The flat side was struck by a bullet and evidently the sword was out when struck.

Conner was promoted to major in July 1862 and suffered the first of two wounds at the Battle of Fredericksburg on December 13, 1862.

--Old Secesh

Freeman Conner-- Part 2: Another Ellsworth Man

Continued from December 29, 2017.

From the Antietam site.

Freeman Conner 1836-1906.

Moved to Chicago and was in the grain business.  Was a member of the Ellsworth Zouaves.  When Elmer Ellsworth organized the 11th New York from New York City's firemen, Conner joined as a lieutenant.

When the 11th disbanded in June 1862, its officers went to Albany, New York, and organized the 44th New York Infantry Regiment, known as the "Ellsworth Avengers."  Conner eventually became its colonel.

After the war, Freeman Conner went to Charleston, S.C., for business, then returned to Chicago and got into the grain business again.  He was also involved in politics and the GAR.  He died in 1908 (some confusion about the date of death).

--Old Secesh

Freeman Conner of the 44th New York-- Part 1

The next person our Ellsworth presenter mentioned was Freeman Conner, who he said was lieutenant colonel of the 44th New York eventually.  He was wounded twice during the war at the battles of Fredericksburg and the Wilderness.

He commanded a brigade in the valiant defense of the Little Round Top on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg.

At this point in the presentation, Doug Dammann was just showing pictures of these men and saying a few things.  I am doing a more involved research.

--Old Secesh