JOHN C. ARMSTRONG -- 96th and 118th INFANTRYJohn C. Armstrong, whose parents were born in Ireland, is mentioned inthe 1865 Records of the Towns of Clinton and Plattsburgh. On November 5,1863, he enlisted in the 118th Infantry in Newcomb, NY, for a townbounty of \$300 and a county bounty of \$200 and promised to serve for 3years. He didn't muster in as a private until January 5, 1864, and byMay he and his regiment were part of the Operations before Richmond andPetersburg with the Army of the James.At Drewry's Bluff between May 14th and 16th the 118th lost 40 menkilled, 15 others mortally wounded and various others wounded andmissing in action. They fought through Virginia until the Fall ofPetersburg on April 2, 1865, losing 17 killed, 26 mortally wounded and94 officers and men missing in action. All the men who went missing wereat Cold Harbor.The military had further use for James capabilities. When the 118thwas mustered out on June 13, 1865, he was transferred to the 96thInfantry when they were with the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division 24thCorps in the Department of Virginia. John was discharged on December 8,1865, at Lynchburg, VA. His regiment remained active through February 6,1866, when it was honorably discharged and mustered out at City Point,VA, under Col. Stephen Moffitt from Plattsburgh. In all, he was in themilitary for 23 months.From the Syracuse Journal, "Mr. Armstrong who died March 19, 1917, was aveteran of the Civil War, he had served in Company C, 118th Regiment.New York Infantry. He was a member of Onondaga Council No. 10. JuniorOrder of United Mechanics. Surviving besides his widow, RebeccaArmstrong, are three sons, Ray and George D. Armstrong of this city,Burnham B. Armstrong of Schenectady; and a sister, Mrs. Eliza Hart ofthis city." He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Syracuse. Rebecca liveduntil 1921 and is buried beside him.
