Sidney Wolcott a Griffin cousin in the Civil War

Sidney Wolcott was born in Colchester, Vermont, June 24, 1842, the son of Chauncy Wolcott and Electa Griffin. Electa was the daughter of Samuel and Sylvia Bradley Griffin. He died in Inavale, Nebraska in February of 1901. He was but one of the many Griffin cousins who served in the Civil War. The only details we have of his service is found in his obituary posted in the Red Cloud Chief. The obituary noted that he had served in the Vermont First Regiment of Calvary. The Vermont First was the only mounted unit to be formed in Vermont. It was organized in November 1861 in Burlington. Sidney served in the unit until the end of the war.--------- The Vermont First started the war serving in the Eastern Theater fighting in the numerous campaigns that led up to the Battle of Gettysburg where they were heavily involved. After General Grant assumed overall command of the army the Vermont First became part of the drive toward Richmond. For those of you that remember your Civil War history you will remember that Yellow Tavern, where J E B Start was killed, and Haw's Shop where two of the biggest cavalry engagements of the war. The Vermont First was involved in both of those battles. The Vermont First was to play critical roles in the final campaign that ended at Appomattox. Sidney’s obituary noted that he served at Cold Harbor, Wilderness, and Petersburg to name but a few. We have published a history for the unit below.---------- Of special interest is the Battle of Winchester. Confederate Gen. Lee dispatched Gen Judal Early to raid up the Shenandoah Valley and beyond. The intent was to threaten Washington and draw off pressure from the main Confederate Army. Union Gen. Sheridan was dispatched to deal with Early. The Shenandoah campaign ended with the almost totally destruction of Early’s Army. One of the key battles occurred at Winchester, Virginia. We get a hint of Sidney’s involvement from his obituary, ---------- “He also suffered much from a saber cut in the head which occurred in a hand to hand conflict with a gray coat at Winchester, Virginia in 1863, at which time his horse was shot from under him.”---------- We have published an order of battle and a history of the engagement below. You can tract Sidney’s involvement by tracking his commanding officer, James H Wilson, who led an attack that turned the Confederate right flank.--------- Gettysburg is the most memorable battle of the Civil War. Again we have published the order of battle and a brief history of the particular units he was fighting with. You can follow his involvement by tracking the actions taken by his commanding officer, Elon Farnsworth.---------- The campaign between Generals Grant and Lee has been written about extensively. We see in a few of the battles where the Vermont First served as the Escort for the Headquarters of II Corps under Gen Hancock. Freed from escort duty they joined in the Yellow Tavern and Haw’s Shop raids.---------- The Vermont First was also involved in the pivotal Battle of Five Forks the action that broke Lee’s defense of Richmond. In that action the First Vermont was part of George Armstrong Custer’s command.---------- The Griffin family has been deeply involved in the martial history of America. It started with Samuel Griffin’s involvement in the French and Indian War, continued in the War of 1812, and the Civil War witnessed a large contribution from the Griffin cousins. Sidney Wolcott’s military service is but one shining example.-------------- Sidney Wolcott / Electa Griffin / Samuel Griffin / Samuel Griffin / Samuel Griffin of Killingworth, CT