New York State National Guard, 23rd Infantry Regiment records
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Date
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Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
Materials documenting the peacetime activities of the NGSNY 23rd (later 106th) Infantry Regiment, as well as the Regiment's service in the Civil War and World War I.
Historical note
The Brooklyn-based 23rd Infantry Regiment of the New York State National Guard (NYSNG) was formed on January 20th, 1862, when its first company, Company A, was mustered into State service. Nine more companies were organized by July of that year. The Regiment was mustered into United States service for the Civil War on June 16, 1863, and participated in engagements at Oyster Point and Carlisle, PA before being mustered out on July 22, 1863. The Regiment was later renamed the NYSNG 106th Infantry Regiment for service in World War I, for which it shipped to Europe in May of 1918 and participated in the Ypres-Lys and Somme Offensives, which were both successful in removing or breaking German defensive lines. The Regiment later went on to supply officers and soldiers throughout the world during World War II.
Sources:
- New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center. "23rd Regiment, New York State Militia, New York National Guard, Civil War." Accessed June 3, 2011. http://dmna.state.ny.us/historic/reghist/civil/infantry/23rdInfNYSM/23rdnfNYSMMain.htm
- New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center. "106th Infantry Regiment, World War One." Accessed June 3, 2011. http://dmna.state.ny.us/historic/reghist/wwi/infantry/106thInf/106thInfMain.htm
Arrangement
The collection is arranged chronologically.
Scope and Contents
This collection includes materials dating from 1863 to 1957 documenting the peacetime activities of the NGSNY 23rd (later 106th) Infantry Regiment, as well as the Regiment's service in the Civil War and World War I. Items include muster rolls and member lists, dinner and event programs and invitations, regimental histories, news clippings, photographs, and issues of the Regiment's journals, The Guardsman and Vigilantia. Also included are two volumes of decorations, notes and correspondence, photographs, clippings, and ephemera. One commemorates a rifle match between the NGSNY 23rd Regiment and the 13th Regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard at Gettysburg in 1893, while the other relates to the 23rd Regiment's visit to Gettysburg in 1904. Finally, the collection contains a small number of items documenting the Veteran Association of the 23rd Regiment's Company A, including a dinner and meeting announcement and a single volume containing the Association's constitution, amendments, and membership lists with autograph signatures and addresses for each member.
Subjects
Organizations
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Conditions Governing Access
Open to users without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
While many items at the Center for Brooklyn History are unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Be aware of the several kinds of rights that might apply: copyright, licensing and trademarks. The researcher assumes all responsibility for copyright questions.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); New York State National Guard, 23rd Infantry Regiment records, ARC.216, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Public Library, Center for Brooklyn History.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Accessions 1973.201, 1977.194 and V1998.047 were the gift of Henry M. Nicholson, 1941 and 1957. Accession 1978.120 was the gift of Abner S. Rosenberg, 1974. The source and date of acquisition for items outside of these accessions is unknown.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
If digital surrogates exist, they should be used in place of the originals whenever possible.
Separated Materials
Carl G. Rasmus certificates donated by Henry M. Nicholson were removed to the Brooklyn certificate collection (1977.307).
About this Guide
Processing Information
The collection combines the accessions 1973.201, 1977.194, 1978.120, and V1998.047. Minimally processed to the collection level in 2011 by Nicholas Pavlik, this collection was rehoused and reprocessed to the file level by Dee Bowers in October 2026.
Sponsor Note
Revisions to this Guide
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Constitution of the Veteran Association of Company A, 1881-1930, inclusive
Scope and Contents
One handwritten and bound volume containing the text of the constitution and a list of members. The constitution is dated 1881 and has amendments up to 1930. The member list dates from 1881-1892.
Mixed ephemera and photographs, circa 1890s-1910s, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Two photographic prints of 23rd Regiment armories, one color print of Company A insignia, "Songs of Company A" booklet, and two images of Colonel William Everdell.
Resolutions from the 13th Regiment N.G.P. to the 23rd Regiment N.G.S.N.Y., 1893
Scope and Contents
One bound volume with handwritten resolutions adopted October 2 1893 and sent from the 13th Regiment N.G.P. to the 23rd Regiment N.G.S.N.Y. to commemorate a friendly competition between the regiments' rifle teams, along with the team of the 7th regiment N.G.S.N.Y., at the rifle range at Creedmoor on September 9, 1893.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Dr. Abner S. Rosenberg, 1974.
The Guardsman journal, October 1897
Scope and Contents
Vol. 1, No. 1.
Gettysburg scrapbook, 1904
Scope and Contents
Photographs, clippings, and ephemera from the Regiment's trip to Gettysburg.
Copy of 1863 muster roll, circa 1910s, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Typed document titled "Muster in Company 'A', 23rd Regiment, N.G., S.N.Y., 'Fort Couch', Pennsylvania, June 1863" with list of names, ranks, and whether or not the individual is still living. In some cases, there is a date of death.
50th anniversary materials, 1912
Scope and Contents
Company A celebration program and invitations; banquet program; typed document "a brief history of company A."
Brooklyn Historical Pageant official souvenir program, 1915
Historical note
Held at the 23rd Regiment armory.
Ex-member send-off flyer and ribbon, 1917
Scope and Contents
"The 23rd Regiment will leave in the near future 'For the Front' via Camp at Spartanburg, S.C. The Ex-members are planning to give the regiment a Royal, Grand Farewell Send-off by accompanying them to the point of departure."
Biographical note
Henry Meadows Nicholson served as a private in Company A from 1903-1909 under Captain Louis J. Praeger and Lieutenant Carl G. Rasmus. At the time of his gift to this collection, Nicholson was living at 236 Sterling Street in Brooklyn.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Henry Meadows Nicholson, 1941.
Vigilantia journal, April and June 1920, 1937, inclusive
60th anniversary materials, 1922
Scope and Contents
Dinner program, guest list, and seating arrangements; review booklet.
Veteran Association materials, 1952-1957, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Eagle "Old Timers" clipping and 90th anniversary text by association historian Charles B. Ulrichs (both 1952), article about member Norman Torrance (circa 1956), and invitation to 1957 annual meeting and dinner.
