NICHOLAS WYCKOFF DAY -- 71st and 131ST INFANTRYHELPED ORGANIZE THE 96TH INFANTRY IN PLATTSBURGH - Nicholas Wyckoff Daywas born in New Brunswick, NJ, in 1839. He began his Civil War serviceas the Sergeant Major of the 71st New York Militia, after he mustered inon April 26, 1861. He served through the First Bull Run Campaign and washonorably mustered out on July 28th of the same year.When the 96th Infantry was forming in Plattsburgh in March 1862, heenlisted and received a commission as captain of Company H. He was onlywith the regiment for 6 months before he was transferred to the 131stInfantry and promoted to major.By August 1863, Nicholas had risen to colonel and commander of theregiment. He was promoted to colonel on August 33, 1863, while theregiment was in Louisiana.The regiment returned to Virginia over the winter and was in 4 battles,including Opequan, garnering over 100 more casualties to add to the 150+they received in the year before.The 131st went to Savannah, GA, after the war to maintain law and orderand do other provost and guard duties. On March 13, 1865, Nicholas wasbrevetted Brigadier General of U. S. Volunteers for "gallant andmeritorious services at the Battle of Opequan". He mustered out atSavannah on July 25th.\After the war he became a successful pharmaceutical merchant, and servedas the Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republicin 1911.Nicholas died on March 6, 1916 and was buried in the Woodlawn Cemeteryin the Bronx.
