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*Major E. Nott Schermerhorn from Company E, had a brother serve in the 8th Alabama, Co. D, as a 1st Lieutenant.
The two brothers both fought on the opposite sides at the Battle of Malvern Hill, but the brothers never met. Both survived
the war.
*On March 9, 1863, at Fairfax Court House, General Edwin H. Stoughton, the youngest Union General at the time,
was sleeping in his quarters when Confederate Raider Mosby captured him and 32 Union men. One of those men captured was E.
Nott Schermerhorn from Company E. Unlike the General, Schermerhorn escaped later that night and returned to the regiment.
I don't know if any other 18th men were captured that night or not.
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| Genl. Edwin H. Stoughton |
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| Fairfax Court House |
*Captain Michael Donovan of Company F, was very abusive to his men and mean. His men disliked him very much.
*At Manassas, Colonel William A. Jackson found himself in a court battle after the battle itself. General Miles
was seen on the field of battle drunk. Richardson charged Miles to be court-martialed for being drunk during combat. Col.
Jackson of the 18th, was asked to be the witness at his court-martialing hearing. Miles then charged Jackson with being drunk.
A whole back-and-fourth battle ensued.
*Col. Jackson was responsible for putting the order in to get all the uniforms for the New York Regiments.
*In Company E, Pvt. Barney Vedder was sick of crossing the Rappohanick over and over. His cousin, 2nd Lieutenant
in the same company, couldn't help his problems except talk to him. Barney then stated he'll "never cross the Rappohanick
again". When the company had to cross over the Rappohanick again, Barney just turned around and walked back to camp. He was
then court-martialed and forfitted his pension and was out of the unit.
*Company B, in a photo, a "Lady of the Regiment" is seen in the photo. This female of the company is probably
the wife of the Captian or daughter.
*In October of 1861, the Schenectady newspaper "The Evening Star & Times" published an article
about a soldier, Pvt. Francis Christiance, of Company E, stated that he is scheduled to be shot for treason. Well, this was
absolutely false accusation and a bad rumor for the newspaper. The following is a letter from Francis to his wife stating
that everything is fine.
Alexandra Heights, Oct. 7, 1861.
Dear Wife,
I this day received an issue of the Star and Times containing the following paragraphs which no doubt overwhelmed me as
much as it certainly must have done you. To be shot: Francis Christiance deserter from the ranks of Capt. Truaxes Company,
one which we have known for a long time was sentenced to be shot and perhaps met his faith at noon to-day. We have not given
this fact publicity before, we did hope for and do not yet despair of a reprieve for the misguided soldier though the fact
that this terrible punishment is meted for a second offense seems to abide it:--
I simply deny in to each and every specification contained in the above.
1st. I am not shot.
2nd. I am not sentenced to be shot.
3rd. There has not been here the slightest supposition among the men or myself that I was to be shot.
4th. I never deserted from Capt. Truaxes Company nor have I ever been tried for any charge for desertion. From whence these
false assertions could have originated I cannot surmise. But if he has feeling for a kind and loving wife, a household of
children, not to say of the grief that fills your heart at this report, he certainly would not be humanity to contradict it.
This afternoon Col. Jackson has received a letter requesting the transmission of my dead body to my wife, me feeling may
better be imagined than described. The editor of the Star certainly should bare a great deal of the blame for publishing a
rumor leaving a whole family on the foundation of what must have been a mere rumor, but this is not the first nor I suppose
the last kindness we will receive from those we left behind.
Truly your loving and yet living husband,
Francis Christance
*Col. William H. Young was in a parade in 1876 in Schenectady, New York, and was riding his horse in the parade.
When the parade was passing through Lark street near Spring street, some person threw a pack of lighted fire-crackers almost
in front of the horse ridden by Col. William H. Young. The exploding powder crackers frightened the animal and he suddenly
reared into the air, plunged forward, and threw Young. His head struck the curbstone and crushed his skull. Col. Young was
immediatly piccked up and carried into Gaus' drug store, near by, in an unconscious condition, he died within ten minutes
after the accident occuried.
*Col. William H. Young, had a crest made of him after his service in the 18th. (below)
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| Col. Young's Crest |
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