Wallkill Public Library Local History Collection: Military History

The story of the chain that was stretched from West Point to Constitution Island to prevent a British Invasion of the Hudson Valley during the American Revolutionary War. An insightful read that is a must read for anyone interested in American History.

"The Other New York provides the first comprehensive look at New York State's rural areas during the American Revolution. This county-by-county survey of the regions outside of New York City describes the social and cultural conditions on the eve of the Revolution and details the events leading up to the conflict, the battles and campaigns fought within the state, the hardships civilians experienced while creating new local governments and supplying the war effort, and postwar reconstruction efforts. It also chronicles the impact that the war had on the European Americans, Native Americans, and African Americans. These groups endured years of strife yet went on to create New York State."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The 124th New York State Volunteers was one of the great fighting regiments of the Civil War. In this thorough history, the author has used letters, diary entries, and remembrances, many of them previously unpublished, to present a view of the war as the men in the ranks saw it. At Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Petersburg, and many more battles, the Orange Blossoms earned a reputation for sacrifice and bravery, eloquently put into words by Private Henry Howell. As he lay wounded, he described the charge that broke the Confederate line at Spotsylvania--everyone was borne irresistibly forward. There was no such thing as fail. The book includes a roster of all who served in the regiment and numerous photos of individuals.