JAMES ARMSTRONG -- 16th and 96th INFANTRYDISHONORABLE DISCHARGE - A Scottish immigrant, James Armstrong enlistedin the 16th Infantry on May 15, 1861, in Plattsburgh. He was 43 yearsold when he mustered into Company C to serve for 3 years. After servingfor 6 months, he was dishonorably discharged on November 8, 1861, whilethey were in winter quarters at Camp Franklin near Fairfax Seminary, VA-- one of eight men who were discharged from the 16th.The following year, James enlisted in the newly-formed 96th Infantry,again in Plattsburgh. He was mustered into Company H at 45 years of ageon March 10, 1862. There were 3 James Armstrongs in the regiment -- oneeach in Companies F, G and H.They made it to Fair Oaks at the end of May before any major blood wasspilled -- 7 killed, 4 mortally wounded and 27 injured. A month later,during the Seven Days' Battles, they had 79 men captured. Starting atthe end of the year, they moved to North Carolina and stayed therethrough 1863.For the rest of the war, the 96th was in Virginia and theRichmond/Petersburg area. They were in many major battles includingDrewry's Bluff, Cold Harbor, Chaffin's Farm and Second Fair Oaks. FromMay 5, 1864, to April 2 and the Fall of Petersburg, the sustained almost300 casualties.James mustered out on February 6, 1866, at City Point, VA, and came hometo Mooers. Soon after the war he moved to Steuben County, NY, and diedon March 10, 1900, in the New York State Soldiers and Sailors Home inBath, NY. He is buried in the Bath National Cemetery adjacent to thehome.
