7th NYSM/131st NY

[riverratmess]

I purchased this image from an antique store. It's looks like a member 131st New York with an early war uniform. I did a little digging I found an officer, 21 year old Captain William E. VanWyck of the 131st New York also served in Co. C, 7th NYSM. Is it possible that this might be him? Any thoughts?


Matt

[FedInf82]

Re: 7th NYSM/131st NY

The New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs has great deal of information and further resources about the 7th. Not much you can read online in the way of service records, &c., but definitely some good guidance for further research. You can also search their site for information on the 131st as well as other New York units. It's a more souped-up version of the NPS Soliders and Sailors system.

In brief, the regiment was formed in 1806 in New York City as a "response to troubles with the British Navy." It underwent a number of reorganization/designations during the antebellum period. It's primary functions seem to have been guard duty and riot suppression.

During the Civil War, the regiment was mustered in and out of service three times: April 26, 1861-June 3, 1861 (30 days); May 29, 1862-Sept. 5, 1862 (3 months) and finally from June 16-July 20, 1863 (another 30 days). Most of this appears to have been garrison/guard duty at a number of forts.

As you mentioned, William van Wyck appears on the rolls of the 7th NYSM. According to the soldiers and sailors system he mustered in as a private during the regiment's first 30 day stint in 1861 and again during the 3 summer of 1862. The muster in date for the 131st New York is September 6, 1862, the day after the 7th mustered out. Van Wyck's rank at the time of his mustering in the 131st is captain. Unfortunately, the NPS system does not provide specific muster in/out dates for individual soldiers. The New York Historical Society's page also has some good resources.

Now this is conjecture, but it seems reasonable that after four months' collective service with the militia, Private van Wyck may have been bored with building and guarding forts, and managed to secure himself a commission in the newly formed 131st. As the 7th was as much a social club for New York's elite as it was a military organization, it's not hard to imagine that van Wyck may have had good connections. (Side note: Speaking of connections, the first mayor of the unified New York City was named Robert Anderson van Wyck, but as far as I can learn there does not seem to be a connection between the two. Mayor van Wyck was born in 1848.)

As for your image, it's clear that he's wearing the Seventh's distinctive gray uniform, with a gray cap with the number 131. My guess is that it is a post war image taken when van Wyck was (perhaps) once again a member of the National Guard. An 1898 article in the New York Times discusses a Col. William E. van Wyck, who was connected with a number of New York Militia regiments after the Civil War, circa 1875. This article leads me to believe that the two William van Wycks may be one and the same.

Just a few thoughts. Hopefully this gives you a place to start your search.

Your obedient servant,

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Re: 7th NYSM/131st NY

This is not the uniform of the 7th New York, and the Summer, 1862 formation date of the 131st NY essentially precludes that regiment from having "early war grey uniforms." The image, and its tonality, strongly suggest post-war to me.

[RyanBWeddle]

Re: 7th NYSM/131st NY

This is not the uniform of the 7th New York, and the Summer, 1862 formation date of the 131st NY essentially precludes that regiment from having "early war grey uniforms." The image, and its tonality, strongly suggest post-war to me.

To the OP - are you assuming this photo is that of Van Wyck or is that just a guess?

Agreed, that is not an image of a 7th NYSM uniform. At first glance that image says post-war to me...

Also when you think about it "van Wyck" is a semi-common name in New York. The William Van Wyck in question was a Captain of Co. F 131st NYV. in the Port Hudson campaign of 1862.

[ScottCross]

Re: 7th NYSM/131st NY

Without having the original to exam, it is difficult to tell what type of photographic paper was used for this image, but it does not appear to be the type used in the Civil War. The oval format is also something you would see more commonly after this period.