Description
Very nice small cabinet card of Colonel Henry Fisk of the 65th New York Volunteer Infantry. Initially Fisk would muster with the 67th New York Infantry as a 1st sergeant in May of 1861. Known as the “1st Long Island Regiment”, they would be attached to Buell’s Division, Army of the Potomac, and play a prominent role at the forefront of the war effort. Starting with the Peninsular Campaign of 1862, the regiment would be engaged in the majority of the battles fought throughout the campaign. Yorktown, Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Richmond and Malvern Hill. They would be in reserve at Antietam but would fight at Fredericksburg in December. Slogging through the “Mud March” in January of 1863, they would next fight through much of the Chancellorsville Campaign. Both Maryes Heights and Salem Heights which then would lead up to the infamous battle of Gettysburg where the regiment would fight from Culp’s Hill. They would end the year fighting in both the Bristoe and Mine Run Campaign’s. After a short stint serving as guards at Johnson’s Island from January to April, 1864, they would return to the front lines in time to take part in the Battle of the Wilderness. It was followed by non-stop combat. Spotsylvania, North Anna River, Totopotomoy, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. Following Petersburg, non-veterans from the regiment were mustered out of service and Fisk was promoted to captain with the remaining 5 companies placed under his command. The regiment was then consolidated with the 65th New York Infantry. Following a brief respite, the men would be back in action fighting at the Third Battle of Winchester with Fisk at their side. It was followed up with the battles of Fisher’s Hill, Cedar Creek and Petersburg in December. Fisk had been promoted to lieutenant colonel two months earlier following the death of Lieutenant Colonel Higginbotham at Cedar Creek. Henry would lead the men of the 65th into 1865 and the battles of Hatcher’s Run, Petersburg and throughout the battles of the Appomattox Campaign. A promotion to colonel would come in June of 1865 and a brevet to brigadier general for his actions at Petersburg and Sayler’s Creek. This example bears a very nice period ink signature by Fisk on the reverse reading “Henry C. Fisk Col. 65th N. Y. Vol. Inf. Bvt. Brig. Gen. U.S.V.”. Very nice view of this exemplary leader.
