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Moses Edgar Orr


Moses Edgar Orr as a Lieutenant in 96th New York Volunteer Infantry.

 

 

Moses Orr is my 3rd great grandfather. He was born June 7, 1841 in
the town of Fort Ann in Washington County, NY to Benjamin Johnson Orr and Mary Starbuck (Folger) Orr. He lived in Warren County, NY and Rutland County, Vermont. In November 1861, he enlisted, in Granville, NY, as a Sergeant in the 96th  New York Volunteer Infantry. In February 1862, he was promoted to 1st Sergeant and in
April 1862 to 2nd Lieutenant. In October 1962, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant, and finally to Captain in May 1863. He remained with the unit until it mustered out in February 1866 at City Point, Virginia.


The 96th NY Volunteer Infantry, also known as Macomb’s Regiment and the Plattsburgh Regiment, was present at the Siege of Yorktown and fought in the battles of Williamsburg, Bottom's bridge and Savage Station. At Fair Oaks, the regiment took heavy losses and saw action at the Seven Day’s battles, and was stationed at Camp Hamilton, Va.  The regiment participated in the Goldsboro expedition, was present at Swift creek, Proctor's creek, Drewry's bluff and Bermuda Hundred, and joined the Army of the Potomac at Cold Harbor. It then remained with the forces besieging Richmond until the end of the war, with the exception of the month of Nov., 1864, when it was ordered to New York harbor. Upon. The regiment was active at Fort Harrison,, and in the general assault on the Petersburg works. The regiment mustered out at City Point, Va., Feb. 6, l866, During its service the regiment lost 70 by death from wounds and 160 from other causes, including 36, who died in prison.

After the war, Moses Edgar Orr married Helena Doremus (Smith) Orr, who was descended from Patriots of the American Revolution. Helena descends from four Revolutionary War Patriots, including Ichabod Cleveland, who is also buried at the Church on the Green as well as John Morin Scott, member of the Continental Congress. Moses and Helena had six children, four of whom are buried in the family plot. Their children were Edgar Sickles, Minne Eleva, Leroy Sanford, Abraham Lincoln, Helena Gertrude, and Benjamin Samuel Orr. Moses Orr was employed as a clerk, foreman, and superintendant of stevedores for the Old Dominion Steamship Company.


The Genealogy of the Cleveland and Cleaveland Families Volume II, compiled by Edmund James Cleveland and Horace Gilette Cleveland, 1899

New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs: Military History http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/historic/reghist/civil/infantry/96thInf/96thInfMain.htm