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52nd New
York Infantry
Online Books:
52nd New York
Infantry Soldier
Roster - Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of New York For the Year
1893, Volume 25 View the Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Fifty-second New York Infantry. — Cols., Paul Frank, Henry M. Karples;
Lieut.-Cols., Philip J. Lichtenstein, Charles G. Fredenburg, George W. Von Schack, Henry
M. Karples, James C. Bronson, Henry P. Ritzius; Majs., Charles G. Fredenburg, Edward
Venuti, Henry M. Karples, Henry P. Ritzius, Charles Kronmeyer. The 52nd, known also as the
Sigel Rifles, composed of six companies of the German Rangers and four companies of the
Sigel Rifles, was recruited in New York city and there mustered into the U. S. service
Nov. 5, 1861, for a three years' term. It left the state for Washington on Nov. 12, with
950 men, went into camp at Bladensburg and was assigned to Sumner's division, in the
brigade which later became the 3d brigade, 1st division, 2nd corps, Army of the Potomac.
Winter quarters were established at Camp California, Va., and there the regiment remained
until March 10, 1862, when it moved to Manassas, thence to Alexandria and on April 4
embarked for Yorktown. It participated in the siege of Yorktown, was closely engaged at
Fair Oaks, with the loss of 122 in killed, wounded or missing out of 320 engaged. It took
part in the Seven Days' battles and when the army rested at Harrison's landing in July the
regiment was able to present but 67 men for active duty, having suffered severely during
the entire campaign both from wounds and sickness. In August the ranks were greatly
strengthened, when the regiment, attached to the 1st brigade, 1st division, 2nd corps,
moved to Alexandria and in September to Tennallytown, where it was transferred to the 3d
brigade. It reached South mountain after the battle, was closely engaged at Antietam and
then encamped at Harper's Ferry until Oct. 29, when it moved to Snicker's gap and
encountered the enemy. On Nov. 17, it arrived at Falmouth, participated in the battle of
Fredericksburg, and then occupied winter quarters at Falmouth until April 28, 1863. The
regiment was active in the Chancellorsville campaign, returned to camp at Falmouth until
June 15, then moved to Gettysburg, where it arrived early in the morning of July 2 and was
posted on Cemetery ridge, where it fought gallantly during the battle. Moving southward,
the regiment was active in October at Bristoe Station, and Mitchell's ford; shared in the
Mine run campaign in November and went into winter quarters at Stevensburg. On May 4,
1864, it broke camp for the Wilderness campaign and participated in the constant fighting
of that month with heavy loss. At the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, the Po river, the North
Anna river, Totopotomoy and Cold Harbor it was prominent on the battle line, then moved to
Petersburg, where it shared in the first assault and performed an active part in the
arduous duties of the siege. It participated in engagements at the Weldon railroad, Deep
Bottom, at Strawberry Plains, and at Hatcher's run. In July, 1864, the regiment was
transferred to the consolidated brigade, 1st division, 2nd corps and in November, to the
3d brigade, 1st division, 2nd corps. In Sept. and Oct., 1864, the original members not
reenlisted were mustered out at New York city. On March 29, 1865, the 52nd was engaged at
White Oak ridge with heavy loss, and it was present at the final assault on Petersburg
April 2. It was mustered out at Alexandria, July 1, 1865. During the term of service the
command lost 153 by death from wounds, 94 by death from accident or disease, and 103 died
in prison. In the battles in which the 52nd participated, it lost 752 members killed,
wounded or missing. It is numbered among the "three hundred fighting regiments."
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Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 2
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