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28th New York Infantry Regiment

Niagara Rifles; Scott Life Guard

William Wirt Bush

William Wirt Bush was the first volunteer to enlist after Lincoln made his call for 75,000 volunteers in April 1861. Before the war, he owned the Oyster bar under the Exchange Bank in Lockport and he setup a recruitment station as soon as he was aware that the call for volunteers would be made.

He served as Captain of Company B, 28th NY from May 1861 through to June 1863. He was captured at the Battle of Cedar Mountain, the story is that he took the field that day armed with a club. According to the official records, he was court martialled for spying in march 1863, but was found not guilty and was recommissioned to the rank of Captain.

He is buried at Cold Springs Cemetery, Lockport, Niagara County, NY along with his wife, Wilhelmina Bush (Nee Balliet), and is buried next to his brother, James Franklin Bush.

Mr. Bush is buried at the Cold Springs Road end of the cemetery by the railroad tracks which run along the northern edge of the cemetery.

His stone reads:

WILLIAM WIRT BUSH Capt. 28th N.Y. Vols. 1832 - 1887

WILHELMINA B. BUSH 1841 - 1890

On the first picture, James Franklin Bush is on the small stone to the left of the picture. William Wirt Bush is the stone on the right. The railroad tracks are just over the hedge in the background.

Last visited: January 23rd 2009