Overview
The 7th New York Infantry (Two Years’ Service), also known as the “Steuben Rangers,” was an infantry regiment organized in New York City, with Company I recruited from Brooklyn. The regiment was mustered into United States service on April 23, 1861, for a two-year term and served with the Union Army in the Eastern Theater. The 7th New York participated in several major campaigns and engagements, earning distinction for its service and suffering significant casualties in battle.
Organization & Service
The 7th New York Infantry (Two Years’ Service) was organized in New York City and mustered into federal service on April 23, 1861. Shortly after organization, the regiment departed New York for Fortress Monroe on May 24, 1861, and was stationed at Newport News, Virginia. Its first combat occurred at the Battle of Big Bethel in June 1861. The regiment remained at Newport News until March 1862, when it was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Army of Virginia.
In May 1862, the 7th New York was transferred to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac. The regiment participated in the Peninsula Campaign, including the Seven Days’ Battles, where it sustained heavy losses. It subsequently fought at Antietam, suffering 15 killed and 49 wounded, and at Fredericksburg, where it lost 243 men killed or wounded out of 488 engaged. The regiment was also active during the Chancellorsville Campaign and at Gettysburg. On April 25, 1863, the original two-year men were mustered out in New York City, while the remaining three-year men were transferred to the 52nd New York Infantry. The remnants of the 7th and 52nd New York were later consolidated with the 7th New York Veteran Infantry.
Research This Regiment Further
If you’d like to explore this unit’s history in more depth, regimental histories and Civil War reference works offer valuable detail.
Engagements & Campaigns
- Big Bethel
- Peninsula Campaign
- Seven Days’ Battles
- Antietam
- Fredericksburg
- Chancellorsville Campaign
- Gettysburg
Casualties
During its two years of service, the 7th New York Infantry lost 102 men killed or mortally wounded in action. An additional 47 members died from other causes. At Fredericksburg, the regiment suffered 243 killed or wounded out of 488 engaged. At Antietam, losses were 15 killed and 49 wounded. Total loss figures are based on contemporary reports and may vary slightly in different sources.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel John E. Bendix
- Colonel Edward Kapff
- Colonel George W. Von Schack
- Lieutenant Colonel Edward Kapff
- Lieutenant Colonel Casper Keller
- Lieutenant Colonel Frederick A. H. Gaebel
- Lieutenant Colonel Anton Pokomey
- Major Casper Keller
- Major George W. Von Schack
- Major Frederick A. H. Gaebel
- Major Charles Brestel
- Major Gustavus Seidel
- Major Jacob Scheu
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 7th New York Infantry (Two Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides details on the individuals who served in the regiment during its term of service.
To view the complete roster, visit the 7th New York Infantry (Two Years’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 2, 5, 9, 11, 19, 21
- New York State Adjutant General’s Report
- Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
- Fox, William F. Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
- The Union Army, Federal Publishing Company, 1908, Volume 2