20th New York State Militia

On August 30, 1862, at 3:15 p.m., the 20th New York State Militia, also known as the 80th New York Volunteers or the "Ulster Guard," served in the 3rd Brigade under Patrick, First Division under Hatch, Third Corps under McDowell, Army of Virginia under Pope, U.S.A. Under Col. George W. Pratt, the regiment advanced in three lines under enemy musketry and canister fire toward a railroad embankment behind which the enemy was posted. The first and second lines melted away under the murderous fire, and the right of the line reached within a few yards of the embankment before heavy officer and enlisted casualties forced it to fall back a few rods, close up, and advance again with the same result. A third attack was then made, but the fire was too heavy and too few men remained to offer hope of success.

Virginia · United States