Isaac O. Best, History of the 121st New York State Infantry

[249] with the grade of “Captain of the First Class,” but when the order came to report to his regiment, the 108th U. S. C. T. in Tennessee, he was a prisoner, having been captured in the battle of the Wilderness. Being paroled and in precarious health, he made application for the commission earned and it was granted. He was commissioned as Captain by special order of the War Department, and mustered in as Captain of the 108th U. S. C. T. and immediately resigned, and was honorably discharged from that regiment. He had been previously commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the 121st, but not mustered. The act of Congress afterwards passed, declared all such commissioned men to be mustered into the service and entitled to pay from the date of their commission.

The other transfers from the 121st to the colored troops were:

Delevan Bates to the 30th Regiment. This regiment under the command of Colonel Bates distinguished itself at the “Battle of the Crater” in front of Petersburg and Comrade Bates was awarded a medal of honor. Some of us remember his description of that fight, given at a recent reunion of the Association.

Major A. E. Mather was transferred to the 20th Regiment, U. S. C. T, as Lieutenant Colonel. He had served in the 121st as first lieutenant, captain and major.

First Lieut. J. D. Gray was transferred to the 23d Regiment, U. S. C. T., as Captain. He had served in the 121st as private, sergeant, second and first lieutenant.

Elias C. Mather was transferred to the 20th Regiment, U. S. C. T., as Captain. He had served in the 121st as sergeant and second lieutenant.

Cleveland Campbell, Adjutant of the 152d Infantry,