10th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 10th New York Infantry (National Zouaves) was an infantry regiment organized in New York City and Brooklyn, New York, for Union service during the American Civil War. The regiment was mustered into United States service between April 27 and May 7, 1861, for a two-year term, and later continued service as a battalion until June 30, 1865. The 10th New York served primarily in the Eastern Theater, participating in major campaigns with the Army of the Potomac. The regiment was known for its distinctive Zouave uniforms and its involvement in several significant battles.

Organization & Service

The 10th New York Infantry was recruited in New York City and Brooklyn and mustered into service on various dates from April 27 to May 7, 1861. The regiment initially encamped at Sandy Hook before embarking for Fortress Monroe on June 5, 1861. During the battle of Big Bethel, the regiment was ordered to join the reserve. Headquarters were established at Camp Hamilton near Fortress Monroe, where the regiment remained until the Peninsula Campaign in 1862.

In May 1862, the regiment moved to Norfolk and Portsmouth, and on June 7 was attached to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 5th Corps, joining at Bottom’s Bridge on the Chickahominy River. The 10th New York was engaged in the Seven Days’ Battles and encamped at Harrison’s Landing until late August, when it returned to Newport News. The regiment was then ordered to Manassas and fought in the Second Battle of Bull Run, suffering significant casualties. At South Mountain and Antietam, the regiment was held in reserve, but it saw action at Shepherdstown. Subsequently, it was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Corps, and fought at Fredericksburg, where it incurred heavy losses.

After Fredericksburg, the regiment performed guard duty at headquarters during part of the winter. The original two-year men who did not reenlist were mustered out at New York on May 7, 1863. The remaining members were consolidated into a battalion of four companies, later augmented by two companies of new recruits and veterans from the 8th New York Artillery. The battalion served as provost guard for the 3rd Division, 2nd Corps, and in March 1864 was attached to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Corps. The regiment participated in the Overland Campaign and the Siege of Petersburg, engaging in numerous battles until the final assault on Petersburg in April 1865. The 10th New York Infantry was mustered out at Munson’s Hill, Virginia, on June 30, 1865.

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

  • Battle of Big Bethel (reserve)
  • Peninsula Campaign
  • Seven Days’ Battles
  • Second Battle of Bull Run
  • South Mountain (reserve)
  • Antietam (reserve)
  • Shepherdstown
  • Fredericksburg
  • Wilderness
  • Spotsylvania
  • Laurel Hill
  • North Anna River
  • Totopotomy
  • Cold Harbor
  • Siege of Petersburg (including early assaults, Weldon Railroad, Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains, Reams’ Station, Boydton Road, Hatcher’s Run, White Oak Road, final assault April 2, 1865)

Casualties

  • Killed or mortally wounded: 130
  • Died of accident, imprisonment, or disease: 89

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel Walter W. McChesney
  • Colonel John E. Bendix
  • Colonel Joseph Yeamans
  • Colonel George F. Hopper
  • Lieutenant Colonel Alexander B. Elder
  • Lieutenant Colonel John W. Marshall
  • Lieutenant Colonel George F. Hopper
  • Lieutenant Colonel Anthony L. Woods
  • Major John W. Marshall
  • Major John Missing
  • Major George F. Hopper
  • Major Anthony L. Woods
  • Major Charles W. Cowtan

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 10th New York Infantry, including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the regiment.

To view the complete roster, visit the 10th New York Infantry Regimental Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts
  • New York State Adjutant General’s Reports
  • 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, Vol. 2
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