Joseph Hastings 118th ny vol inf 6' 6' tall FAMOUS PHOTO in Beekmantown, New York
It has been said that the regimental colors of the Adirondack Regiment flew higher than any other regiment in the Union Army.
The Adirondack Regiment, 118th New York Volunteer Infantry, was raised in Clinton, Essex and Warren counties. Mustered into service in Plattsburgh, NY, in 1862, the regiment was made up of men bearing the names of Pruyn, Richards, Wing and Stone. The next three years would take them to South Anna Bridge, Petersburg, Cold Harbor, Chapin?s Farm, Fort Harrison, Second Fair Oaks and finally Richmond. The 118th was the first organized regiment of troops to enter the southern capitol on April 3, 1865.
The average Union soldier stood 5 foot 7 inches tall. At its organization it was determined that the tallest men would be assigned to the color guard of the 118th NYV. Joseph Atwood Hastings, who was 6 feet 6 inches tall, was appointed Color Sergeant. He received the bright new silken regimental colors from the State and bore them in all of the regimental battles. After three years of service they were returned to the State, worn, torn and tattered but never captured. In the Second Battle of Fair Oaks, October 29, 1864, the regiment lost 111 officers and men and every other regiment in their brigade lost their regimental colors. The regimental history states the 118th colors were saved only due to the long legs of Joe Hastings.
The color bearer, always at the center of the regimental line, was a conspicuous target for enemy fire. At 6 feet 6 inches Joseph A. Hastings was a conspicuous target but carried the regimental colors in all engagements suffering only a minor wound before Petersburg. ?Old Joe Hastings? as his comrades called him, accepted his duties and carried them out to his best. His only complaint was that the quartermaster?s department never provided trousers to fit his long legs. He often drew two pairs using one to splice the second to fit.
This is for the original photograph by Plattsburgh photographer Averill shown in photos.