The 47th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, known as the "Washington Grays," was formed in 1861 and served throughout the Civil War, participating in numerous campaigns across the South. Initially recruited in New York City and Brooklyn, the regiment was mustered into service in September 1861 and saw action in key locations such as Hilton Head, Edisto Island, James Island, and Fort Wagner. The regiment endured significant losses, particularly at the Battle of Olustee in Florida, and later took part in major operations in Virginia, including the battles of Cold Harbor and Petersburg. Over its four years of service, the 47th New York was involved in both combat and garrison duties, suffering a total of 250 deaths from battle and disease before being mustered out in August 1865.
During 1863, the 47th New York was stationed on Ossabaw Island, Georgia, where they were primarily engaged in constructing fortifications, performing picket and guard duty, and supporting naval operations. The regiment faced harsh environmental conditions, including disease, challenging terrain, and wildlife, which affected their ability to perform camp duties. Notable events included the construction of Battery Seymour, skirmishes with Confederate forces, and the capture of some of their men. The 47th’s time on Ossabaw Island was marked by both military activity and the daily hardships of soldiering in the coastal South during the Civil War.
Photographs by Serenity Jo Baughman
Metadata for artifacts and research materials by Emma McClure and Joan Rose
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4th Annual Report of the Bureau of Military Statistics of NY
Charles Van Benthuysen
A report on the actions and statistics of the Forty-Seventh New York Infantry in the south, published by the Chief of the Bureau of Military Statistics on February 11, 1867.
New York State Bureau of Military Statistics, Fourth Annual Report of the Bureau of Military Statistics, State of New York: Submitted to the Legislature February 11, 1867 (Albany, NY: Charles Van Benthuysen & Sons, 1867).
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Archaeological Survey for a Proposed Communications Tower at Site 9CH155, Ossabaw Island, Chatham County, Georgia
Daniel T. Elliott
A 2023 archaeological survey for a proposed communications tower on Ossabaw Island, Georgia.
Elliott, Daniel T. Archaeological Survey for a Proposed Communications Tower at Site 9CH155, Ossabaw Island, Chatham County, Georgia. LAMAR Institute Publication Series, Report No. 236. Savannah, GA: The LAMAR Institute, Inc., 2023.
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Blunt's American Coast Pilot
Edmund March Blunt
An excerpt from Blunt's American Coast Pilot on navigating around Ossabaw Sound and surrounding waterways, published originally in 1796
Blunt, Edmund.1796. American Coast Pilot. Newbury, ME.
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Friel Letters - Brooklyn Historical Society
Daniel Friel and Hugh Friel
A set of letters between Hugh and Daniel Friel on multiple topics, including accounts of civil war life around Georgia, written from 1855-1866.
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Map of Savannah Defenses
Library of the Department of War
A map detailing the defenses around Savannah, Georgia, and surrounding areas, published by the Library of the Department of War on January 30, 1926.
“Map of Savannah Defenses.” Library of the Department of War, 1926.
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National Register of Historic Places Registration Form - Ossabaw Island
United States National Park Service.
Registration Form from the National Register of Historic Places of the National Park Service related to Ossabaw Island completed in 1996.
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New York in the War of the Rebellion
Frederick Phisterer
A document discussing the actions and registers of the Forty-Seventh Infantry in and around Georgia from 1861-1865, published by the J.B. Lyon company in 1912.
Phisterer, Frederick. New York in the War of the Rebellion, 1861 to 1865. 3rd ed. Albany, NY: J. B. Lyon Company, 1912.
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Official Records Ser. 1 Vol. 14
Robert N. Scott
A document detailing Union military forces, deployments, fortifications, and operations in the Department of the South during 1863, published by the Government Printing Office in 1885.
Robert N. Scott, comp., The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, vol. 14 (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1885).
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Official Records Ser. 1 Vol. 15
Robert N. Scott
A document detailing Union military forces, deployments, fortifications, and operations in the Department of the South during 1863, published by the Government Printing Office in 1886.
Robert N. Scott, comp., The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, vol. 15 (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1886).
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Official Records Ser. 1 Vol. 28 Pt. 1
Robert N. Scott
A report written by Major Edward C. Anderson, jr. on an expedition to Ossabaw Island, written on July 6, 1863, and published by the Government Printing Office in 1890.
Robert N. Scott, comp., The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, vol. 28 (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1890).
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Official Records Ser. 1 Vol. 28 Pt. 2
Robert N. Scott
A document detailing Union military forces, deployments, fortifications, and operations in the Department of the South during 1863, published by the Government Printing Office in 1890.
Robert N. Scott, comp., The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, vol. 28 (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1890).
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Official Records Ser. 1 Vol. 53
Robert N. Scott
A document detailing Union military forces, deployments, fortifications, and operations in the Department of the South during 1863, published by the Government Printing Office in 1898.
Robert N. Scott, comp., The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, vol. 53 (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1898).
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Ossabaw Island Chronology
Dieter Ullrich
A document detailing the chronology of Ossabaw Island, written by Dieter Ullrich in 2025.
Ullrich, Dieter. Ossabaw Island Chronology. (2025)
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Ossabaw Island: Comprehensive Management Plan
Department of Natural Resources: Wildlife Resources Division.
A plan submitted by the Wildlife Resources Division of the Department of Natural Resources titled "Ossabaw Island: Comprehensive Management Plan," which offers a brief pre-history and history of the island.
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Ossabaw Island - New Georgia Encycopedia
New Georgia Encycopedia.
A brief history of Ossabaw Island published online by the New Georgia Encyclopedia.
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Ossabow Island Chronology
Ossabaw Island Foundation.
A chronology on the history of Ossabaw Island by the Ossabaw Island Foundation.
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Rebellion Record: A Diary of American Events
Frank Moore
Moore, Frank. "Doc. 224 Expedition to Ossabaw, GA," Rebellion Record: A Diary of American Events, Vol. 3. New York: G. P. Putnam, 1862
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Rebellion Record Vol. 3
Frank Moore
A document detailing military movements and actions in Georgia and surrounding states, published by the G.P. Putnam company in 1862.
Moore, Frank. Rebellion Record: A Diary of American Events, Vol. 3. New York: G. P. Putnam, 1862
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Record of the Adjutant Generals Office
Adjutant Generals Office (Washington, D.C.)
The post return of Ossabaw Island, Georgia, published by the Adjutant Generals office in 1863.
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Supplement to OR Pt2 Vol43
Janet Hewitt
A document detailing the activities of the 47th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment from July 1862 to April 1865.
Hewett, Janet B., ed. Supplement to the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. 100 vols. Wilmington, NC: Broadfoot Publishing Company, 1994–1998. pp. 804-853.
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Terrence McGivney Pension
Adjutant Generals Office (Washington, D.C.)
A report on the death of Terrence McGivney on Ossabaw Island and his mother's claim for his pension, Published by the Adjutant Generals Office in 1863.
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Truman Seymour Report
Dieter Ullrich
A document detailing the life of Truman Seymour, written by Dieter Ullrich in 2025.
Ullrich, Dieter. Ossabaw Island Chronology. (2025)