Chapter 1: the organization of the 121st New York Volunteers
- 20th Senatorial District -- State and County Committees appointed by Governor -- townships in which companies were raised -- camp Schuyler -- muster of regiment
When on July 2, 1862, President Lincoln issued the call for 300,000 men, the war for the Union had reached such proportions, and the military situation was so critical, that the patriotic enthusiasm that had characterized the organization of the volunteer army in 1861 no longer availed to procure the troops necessary to fill the quota required from the State, and a systematic and earnest effort was necessary. This effort developed in two directions: first, to fill up the older regiments with recruits; and second, to organize new regiments, one in each Senatorial District. Under the latter plan the 121st was recruited in the 20th Senatorial District comprising the two counties of Herkimer and Otsego. To supervise the organization of the regiment, Governor Morgan appointed the Hon. Richard Franchot, and also a committee from the two counties which should appoint County Committees to prosecute the work in the several townships. The Senatorial Committee consisted of the following named persons: R. Ethridge, Wm. Gates, Ezra Graves, Amos H. Prescott, L. L. Lowell, H. H. Pomeroy, Thomas Richardson and Volney Owen, County Judge. It has not been possible to find the names of the County Committees, but under their direction patriotic meetings were held in the several townships, and recruiting officers appointed for the separate companies.
