While researching a number of the leaves from the Jeffrey Ferris family tree
, I realized that Newton Ferris participated in an unusual way in the Civil War. Newton Ferris, from Ira, NY, served in one NY infantry regiment as an enlisted man. He accepted a direct commission as an officer of the Corps d’Afrique. When that regiment was disbanded, he returned to New York and reenlisted. Captured outside Petersburg, VA, he died from illness in the Salisbury, NC hellhole of a prison camp.
Newton Ferris in the US Census
1850 census: Ira, Cayuga, New York, age 13. Father is Smith Ferris, mother is Leah.
1860 census: Ira, Cayuga, New York, age 22. Father is Smith Orris Ferris, mother is Leah Van Auhen.
Newton Ferris was the sixth great-grandson of Jeffrey Ferris through his son, James.
Second Lieutenant Newton Ferris
National Park Service record for Newton Ferris and service with colored troops.
75th Infantry Regiment
The 75th NY Infantry Regiment was recruited from the Auburn and Cayuga County area. Deployed in Florida and then in Louisiana. National Park Service link
Documents of the Assembly of the State of New York, Volume 35
FERRIS NEWTON D age 23 years
enrolled October 18 1861 at Cato to serve three years mustered in as Private Company G 75th NY Infantry November 20 1861
promoted Corporal July I 1863
mustered in as Second Lieutenant 17th Regiment Corps d Afrique
subsequently 88th US Colored Infantry September 24 I863
mustered out with regiment July 28 186417th Regiment Infantry
Organized at Port Hudson, La., September 24, 1863. Attached to 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Corps de Afrique, Dept. of the Gulf, to April, 1864.SERVICE.–Garrison duty at Port Hudson, La., until April, 1864. Designation of Regiment changed to 88th United States Colored Troops, April 4, 1864.
Pvt Newton D Ferris
From Find a Grave:
Born: Nov. 13, 1837, New York
Died: Jan. 31, 1865, Salisbury, NC
111th New York Infantry Co F. Enlisted at 26 on 4 Sep 1864 at Ira, NY; mustered in as PVT Co F for 3 years; captured in action 31 Oct 1864 at Petersburg, VA; died 31 Jan 1865 at Salisbury, NC. (NYS Adj Gen Rpt) 1868 Roll of Honor XIV #2350 as Newton, Ferris PVT Co G 111th NY; died 1 Feb 1865 of disease.
The 111th New York Volunteer Infantry: A Civil War History
Late summer of 1864, Newton Ferris is reported to have been added to company F of the 111th New York Volunteer Infantry.
New Yorkers who died at Salisbury Prison
, North Carolina
New York State Military Museum
Ferris, Newton, —, G, 111th NY, 1-31-65
