On Sept. 2 1864, Matthew Kennedy of Italy Hill Yates Co. NY age 34, enlisted in the 188th New York State Volunteer Infantry Regiment & was assigned to Company C.  At the Battle of Hatcher’ Run, Oct 27 1864, Matthew was run over by a wagon [he was believed to have been a teamster]. This left him badly injured & in the hospital. The muster rolls show he was back on duty Nov. 1864 thru April 1865. It is not known if he was in any more battles but was still with the Regiment when it was mustered out. Matthew applied for an Invalid pension Dec. 24 1891 which was granted shortly thereafter.

Matthew & David Kennedy’s regiment the 188th NY Volunteer Infantry was mustered into sevice Oct. 4 1864 with recruits from Monroe, Livingston,  Ontario, Yates & Steuben counties. The regiment was assigned to 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, V Corps, Army of the Potomac, Major General Gouverneur Warren commanding. The regiment was sent to the Petersburg area Oct. 13, 1864.

The regiment was engaged in 10 battles starting with 1st Hatcher’s Run Oct. 27, 1864 thru April 1, 1865 at Five Forks. The regiment was present but not engaged at Appomattox VA when Lee surrendered April 9, 1865.

The regiment was given the honor of guarding the court house during the surrender proceedings.

Casualties: Killed or mortally wounded = 37, died of disease & accidents = 53, missing = 4. Records don’t show how many were wounded but survived. Mat & Dave were two that did.

The regiment was mustered out near Washington DC July 1, 1865

Matthew was a member of Gregory GAR post No. 649, Prattsburg, Steuben Co. NY

Matthew’s enlistment

Matthew died March 1, 1906 age 75. Buried in Italy Hill Cemetery Yates Co. NY

David Kennedy age 24 enlisted in 188th New York State Volunteer Infantry  Sept. 2 1864, the same day as brother Matthew. He was wounded the same day & place as Matthew, Oct. 2 1864 at 1st Hatcher’s Run [Virginia]. The nature of his wound was not given, but it put him in hospital until mid-January 1865 when he was granted a 15 day leave. He returned in Feb. Records show him in action March 30 thru April 1 1865 & was described as “a good soldier”. He was mustered out July 1 1865. He applied for a pension in 1898 which was granted.

David died May 20, 1922 age 84. He is buried in Italy Hill Cemetery.

Peter is buried in Yorktown [VA] National Cemetery. When he died he left behind his widow Mary Ann Barnes Finger age 42, two children, George age 13 & Mary Eva age 8 [authors great grandmother] Mary Eva applied for a widows pension Sept. 23, 1864. It was granted March 9. 1865. She received $ 8.00 per month. Life was not worth much back then.

The guards posted at the Appomattox Court House. Is this the 188th ? Are Matt & David in the photo? Nice to think so.