Sunday, November 18, 2018

Our Civil War Ancestors
Part 10 of a Series

William J. McFerran, 92nd NY Infantry 


Many thanks to Margaret Wilds, who kindly shared her great-grandfather's photograph and biographical information. 

Born in Edwards, NY on April 5, 1842, McFerran was the first of nine children. His parents were both born in Northern Ireland. McFerran was was mustered into the Union Army  in October of 1861 and over time rose to serve as Sergeant of Co. I, 92nd New York Infantry. He served 3 years, 2 months and 28 days, and was discharged in Jan 1865.  After the war, he was married in 1869 to Martha Rath of Kemptville, Ontario with whom he had four daughters. He later worked as served as postmaster of Edwards, NY. William J. McFerran died Nov. 21, 1911 in Mexico, NY and is buried there. 

His unit, the 92nd Regiment, New York Infantry  was organized at Potsdam, N. Y., and mustered in January 1, 1862 and left the state for Washington, D. C., March 5, 1862.

Major engagements the 92nd participated in: 

The Advance on Manassas, Va., March 10-15, 1862. 
The Battle of Williamsburg May 5. 
The Battle of Seven Pines or Fair Oaks May 31-June 1. 
New Market Road June 8. 
White Oak Swamp June 30. 
Malvern Hill July 1.
Foster's Expedition to Goldsboro, N. C., December 11-20.  Duty at and near New Berne till          April 1864.  
Butler's operations on south side of the James River and against Petersburg and Richmond        May 4-28, 1864. 
Occupation of City Point and Bermuda Hundred May 5. 
The Battle of Drury's Bluff May 14-16. 
Bermuda Hundred May 16-27. 
The Battles about Cold Harbor June 1-12. 
Before Petersburg June 15-18. Siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond June 16        to December 1, 1864. Mine Explosion, Petersburg, July 30 (Reserve). Duty in the trenches      before Petersburg and on the Bermuda front till September 26. 
The Battle of Chaffin's Farm, New Market Heights, September 28-30. 
Battle of Fair Oaks October 27-28. 
Duty in trenches before Richmond north of the James River till December. 
Consolidated with 96th Regiment New York Infantry December 1, 1864. 
Old members mustered out January 7, 1865.


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