Capt. William H Wilcox, 95th NY Vols

This year is the 145th anniversary of Gettysburg and already over 9000 blue and grey have registered for the re-enactment.

When I attended the 140th as a tourist met with a re-enactor portraying General John F Reynolds who suggested that I might join a society of which he was a member called the Confederation of Union Generals (COUG). This was on the condition that I had a decent knowledge of the Civil War era and of Gettysburg.

Five years on from then I have the personae of Captain William H Wilcox 95th New York Volunteer regiment 5th Corps assigned as aide de camp to General Reynolds.

I have researched this officer and find that he drew maps of the Antietam and Gettysburg and was with Reynolds when he was killed sustaining bruising and having his horse shot from under him. Wilcox was mentioned in dispatches by general Abner Doubleday for assistance during the battle.

I attend the Gettysburg re-enactment every year and do living history at Famsworth House as well as battlefield reenactments. As a staff officer I have no direct command and march with regiments assigned by the commanding general. These have included Indiana and Maryland units.

In the UK ACWS I have been particularly fortunate to have been registered and made welcome with the 118th Pennsylvania under Phil Golder.

Also I have found a niche escorting the colours and the event at Sheffield was especially enjoyable.

William H Wilcox Capt. 95th NY Vols Attached to 118 Penn Vols

Derek Phillips, attached to 118 Penn Vols

The above article first appeared in the ACWS Newsletter, Spring 2008