Information Panel: We Began Firing At Will: The 111th New York Regiment

"We began firing at will for we knew hardly a thing about military drill..."

NPS/ Claire Hassler

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Art Caption: "We went below and formed in line of battle and lay down on our arms. Sleep was out of the question but of course, human nature will succumb and drowsiness was general among the boys. It must have been nine O'clock or more by this time. All of a sudden there came a blinding flash in front of our line. We were all alert in a moment and we got in line of battle as quick as possible.

We began firing at will for we knew hardly a thing about military drill and didn't see anything to fire at but still kept firing till we were ordered to cease firing." Private Newman Eldred, Company H, 111th New York Regiment.

Photo Caption: "Suddenly we heard a clattering among the stones; you could see nothing... it turned out to be a body of the enemy's cavalry that made a dash at us and delivered a fire from carbines, as I supposed. I immediately ordered my regiment to return the fire; I repeated it about three times." Colonel Jesse Segoine, 111th New York Regiment.

Map Caption: The raw recruits of the 111th New York Regiment marched through the darkness to this position on the Union skirmish line.