Description
Carte view identified as William Oakey of the 127th New York Infantry. William would muster with “A” Company in September of 1862. He would serve just shy of 3 years before being discharged at the end of June, 1865. This view shows William dressed in uniform with this interesting collar trim and plain coin buttons. This example is signed on the reverse in period ink, “Yours Respct, W. Oakey”. A similar view of William can be found on the HDS. The regiment served during the Siege of Suffolk in the spring of 1863 and in June was engaged in minor affairs at Diascund Bridge and at Nine-mile Ordinary, Va. It later participated in the various operations about Charleston harbor in 1863, including the siege of Fort Wagner and the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Present during the action at Bull’s Island in March, 1864, and at Fort Johnson in July, where it suffered it’s first severe loss at the Battle of Honey Hill, South Carolina, with casualties amounting to 7 killed, 49 wounded and 15 missing. Fiercely engaged at Deveaux Neck in December, the regiment would lose another 14 killed, 67 wounded, and 3 missing. Shortly after the evacuation of Charleston, the regiment was detailed by order of General Sherman for permanent city garrison, on account of its good reputation for discipline and would end it’s service there. Back marked out of Sing Sing, New York, presumably upon his return home.
