Who are we?
The 148th NYVI is many things. It is a nationally chartered Sons of Veterans Reserve Unit, an active reenacting unit, and a group that meets monthly to visit and share dinner. The 148th is the home of the Daughters of Union Veterans (DUV) National Past President, the Sons of Union Veterans (SUV) Past National Commander, and the SUV New York State Historian. The 148th is the home unit of an Army of the Ohio's Reenacting Battalion Board Member and Principle Musician. It is 57 years old, has had over 150 military reeanactors come and go, and is still a respected and valued group of living historians today.
Original Unit
Modern Unit
Our Officers
1862-1865
"The 148th of 1862 was authorized in August, 1862, and was mustered into service at Camp Swift, Geneva, on September 22nd. They served in the 7th Army Corps, the 18th Army Corps, and the 24th Army Corps.
After living the good army life in the vicinity of Fort Monroe on the Chesapeake Bay, the 148th was summoned to action in 1864 and participated in such battles as Drewery's Bluff, Cold Harbor, the seige of Petersburg, Chaffin's Farm, Fair Oaks, and the Appomattox Campaign. They had five Medal of Honor recipients, and arrived home on July 4, 1865.
The unit held yearly reunions up to 1919, sometimes sharing those special meetings with their comrades of the 126th NY, the 33rd NY, and the 50th Engineers. The members of the 148th served humbly and honorably for their country during its most dire time."
-148th unit history as printed in our 1997 "35th Anniversary" program.
1962-2019
The modern 148th NYVI Co. E appears to have been conceived in 1962 and chartered in 1964 when Richard Cuyler was given permission to create a Sons of Veterans Reserve (SVR) unit in Waterloo NY from members of the Sons of Union Veterans (SUV) Caywood Camp #146 of Ovid NY.
Since that day in 1964, the 148th NYVI Co. E has been representing the soldiers of central NY in parades, living histories, reenactments, and presentations for almost 57 years.
The core of the group has always been the SVR that founded it. The SVR is our direct link to the original veterans of the 148th NY. Although it is not mandatory, new members are encouraged to join either the Sons of Union Veterans or the Daughters of Union Veterans to help honor our heritage and preserve our units rich history.
In addition to the SVR unit we are an active reenactment unit affiliated with the Army of the Ohio, First Federal Division that hosts living histories each year and attends many events throughout the New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Please take a moment to look at our potential schedule of events for 2021. We hope to see you there!
SVR Officers
Commander - Vacant
Adjutant - Corey Gavette
Administrative Officers
President - Brian Tojdowski
Secretary - Marty Hillman
Treasurer - Steve Wheeler
Field Officers
Captain - Vacant
1st Sergeant - Ray Derby
Corporal - Eric Sauer
Civilian Coordinator - Suellen Leonik
Past Commanders
Richard Cuyler - 1962-1969
William Warne - 1969-1976
Alvin "Stu" Dodson - 1976-1982
Glenn Parish - 1982-1986
George Oswald - 1986-1987
George Shadman - 1987-1996
Jeffery Fortais - 1996-1998
James Goloski - 1999-2001 & 2006-2007
Brian Hallenbeck - 2002
John O'Gavahan - 2003
Paul Foster - 2004-2005
Harley Stupp - 2008
Corey Gavette - 2009-2010
John A. Goloski - 2011-2017
Ray Derby - 2018-2020