149th New York Infantry
BIRDSEYE, MORTIMER B.—Age, 21 years. Enlisted, September 3, 1862, at Syracuse, to serve three years; mustered in as first sergeant, Co. I, September 18, 1862; promoted sergeant-major, April 1, 1863; discharged, January 12, 1864, to accept commission in Second New York Cavalry.
2nd New York Cavalry
BIRDSEYE, MORTIMER B — Age, 23 years. Enlisted February 1, 1864, at New York city; mustered in as first lieutenant, Company G, February 1, 1864, to serve three years; promoted captain, Company C, August 29, 1864, mustered in September 10, 1864; mustered in as major September, 17, 1864; as lieutenant colonel December 1, 1864; mustered out with regiment, June 23, 1865, at Alexandria, Va.; commissioned first lieutenant, January 5, 1864, with rank from December 5, 1863, vice Seymour, resigned; commissioned captain, September 10, 1864, with rank from September 10, 1864, vice Hull, promoted; commissioned major, September 17, 1864, with rank from September 17, 1864, original; commissioned lieutenant colonel, November 30, 1864, with rank from November 20, 1864.
He was in the 2nd NY Cavalry (Harris Light Cav.) Upon the death of the regimental Commander, Walter Hull -a name chosen later for his first son) Col. Birdseye commanded the 2nd NY Cavalry until it was mustered out of service at the close of the War.
In 1863 he was captured by the Confederates and confined in prison at Lynchburg, VA. He escaped, traveled 180 miles in 18 days (walking at night and hiding in the daytime), made contact with the Union troops at Harpers Ferry, VA. (On the morning of Gen. Lee's surrender, Lt. Col. Birdseye commanded the troops which captured Appomatox Station and a long wagon train of food supplies which was endeavoring to reach Lee's Army. This action was the last fighting between Lee's Army and the Army of the Potomac.)
At the Canadaigua Academy, Victory James Birdseye (1814-1898), his father, met a distant cousin by the name of Mortimer Buell. As a result of the warm attachment which grew up between these two, Victory named his firstborn "Mortimer Buell Birdseye"
(written on back of his photo, writer unknown)
149th New York Infantry
BIRDSEYE, MORTIMER B.—Age, 21 years. Enlisted, September 3, 1862, at Syracuse, to serve three years; mustered in as first sergeant, Co. I, September 18, 1862; promoted sergeant-major, April 1, 1863; discharged, January 12, 1864, to accept commission in Second New York Cavalry.
2nd New York Cavalry
BIRDSEYE, MORTIMER B — Age, 23 years. Enlisted February 1, 1864, at New York city; mustered in as first lieutenant, Company G, February 1, 1864, to serve three years; promoted captain, Company C, August 29, 1864, mustered in September 10, 1864; mustered in as major September, 17, 1864; as lieutenant colonel December 1, 1864; mustered out with regiment, June 23, 1865, at Alexandria, Va.; commissioned first lieutenant, January 5, 1864, with rank from December 5, 1863, vice Seymour, resigned; commissioned captain, September 10, 1864, with rank from September 10, 1864, vice Hull, promoted; commissioned major, September 17, 1864, with rank from September 17, 1864, original; commissioned lieutenant colonel, November 30, 1864, with rank from November 20, 1864.
He was in the 2nd NY Cavalry (Harris Light Cav.) Upon the death of the regimental Commander, Walter Hull -a name chosen later for his first son) Col. Birdseye commanded the 2nd NY Cavalry until it was mustered out of service at the close of the War.
In 1863 he was captured by the Confederates and confined in prison at Lynchburg, VA. He escaped, traveled 180 miles in 18 days (walking at night and hiding in the daytime), made contact with the Union troops at Harpers Ferry, VA. (On the morning of Gen. Lee's surrender, Lt. Col. Birdseye commanded the troops which captured Appomatox Station and a long wagon train of food supplies which was endeavoring to reach Lee's Army. This action was the last fighting between Lee's Army and the Army of the Potomac.)
At the Canadaigua Academy, Victory James Birdseye (1814-1898), his father, met a distant cousin by the name of Mortimer Buell. As a result of the warm attachment which grew up between these two, Victory named his firstborn "Mortimer Buell Birdseye"
(written on back of his photo, writer unknown)
Gravesite Details
Child of Victory James Birdseye & Mary ann Marsh. Spouse of Harriet Ecker
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