The current 137th New York Volunteer Infantry
was formed in Binghamton,
NY and surrounding counties in the winter of 1971 and stood inspection
of
their equipment at the spring National in May 1972. A number of its
members
were musicians in the North-South Field Music in the 1970's. This was a
fife and drum corps, which played music of the Civil War period. With
this
we had taken part in parades, such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day,
Centennials,
etc., which help to make people aware of the N-SSA and to acquire new
members
for the unit.
The 137th has had many members in its ranks over the last 27 years of being a team in the Northeast Region. These members have contributed much to the team and to the N-SSA. Sutler John Ferry was one of the 137th Charter members. At present we have 12 members in our ranks, along with their families, from Syracuse to Northeastern Pennsylvania.
As did the 137th of the Civil War times, we wear a dark blue New York State Militia jacket with New York State buttons, sky blue trousers, dark blue bummer with the 12th corps white star and infantry bugle insignia, an SNY belt buckle and Cartridge box plate. SNY does not stand for "Snotty Nosed Yankee" as the Rebs would like you to believe, but for State of New York.
Our 137th team enjoys a warm comradery. Saturday evenings after
shooting
competition is over, finds our team families 
sharing a pot luck
meal of good food, good conversation and good times for young and old
alike.
If the weather and camp area permits, a camp fire brings out the
stories
of the days activities and excuses why the scores were not higher.
(Something
like big fish stories.)
In the Northeast Region, you will meet people with many interests about the Civil War, collectors of guns, books, Grand Army of the Republic material, equipment, uniforms, hats, buttons, you name it. Also you will meet people who play Civil War music, study the battles, make full sized battle flags, do presentations for school classes, and gunsmithing.
Sunday morning sees all the teams on the line for opening ceremonies in the uniforms their earlier units would have been in. The 137th NYV may be standing next to the 149th NYV, its sister unit, as they did on Culp's Hill at Gettysburg or on the other end of the line from the 44th NY, who saw action on Little Round Top in that same three day battle.
You can also read the history of the 137th in the Civil War
For more information about the 137th NYV or joining the ranks of this unit, e-mail the 137th at: nssayankee@aol.com
Return to the Northeast Region