15th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 15th New York Infantry (Two Years’ Service), later known as the 15th New York Engineers or the New York Sappers and Miners, was an infantry regiment organized in New York City and mustered into United States service at Willett’s Point, New York Harbor, on June 17, 1861, for a two-year term. The regiment served in the Union Army, primarily in the Eastern Theater, and became notable for its transition from infantry to engineer duties, performing critical work in bridge building, road construction, and siege operations.

This unit is distinct from later organizations of the 15th New York Engineers (Veteran Regiment).

Organization & Service

The 15th New York Infantry (Two Years’ Service) was organized in New York City and mustered in at Willett’s Point on June 17, 1861. The regiment departed for Washington, D.C., on June 29, 1861, and was initially assigned to McCunn’s Brigade, performing picket and guard duty near Fairfax Seminary. In August 1861, it was transferred to Franklin’s Brigade, and in September to Newton’s Brigade. By November 1861, the regiment was ordered to Alexandria, Virginia, to receive instruction in engineering, fulfilling its original intended role as sappers and miners.

The regiment remained at Alexandria until March 19, 1862, when it was ordered to Fairfax Seminary and attached to the 1st Corps under General McDowell. During the Peninsula Campaign, the 15th participated in the siege of Yorktown, providing essential engineering services such as bridge building. After the campaign, the regiment encamped at Harrison’s Landing before returning to Washington. On November 17, 1862, it rejoined the Army of the Potomac in the field and was involved in constructing bridges for the army’s crossing to Fredericksburg. In January 1863, during the “Mud March,” the regiment was engaged in road construction. The winter of 1862–63 was spent in camp at Falmouth, Virginia, and during the Chancellorsville Campaign, the regiment built bridges as part of the engineering brigade.

In June 1863, the two years’ men were mustered out in New York City on June 25, 1863. The remaining men were consolidated into a battalion of three companies, which continued service as part of the 15th New York Engineers (Veteran Regiment). Additional companies were added in late 1863 and 1864, and the reorganized regiment continued to serve until the end of the war, but this summary covers only the original two years’ service term.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Picket and guard duty near Fairfax Seminary (1861)
• Siege of Yorktown (April–May 1862)
• Peninsula Campaign (Spring–Summer 1862)
• Harrison’s Landing (Summer 1862)
• Fredericksburg (November–December 1862, engineering support)
• “Mud March” (January 1863, road construction)
• Chancellorsville Campaign (Spring 1863, bridge building)

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded: 5
• Died of disease and other causes: 124

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John McLeod Murphy
• Colonel Clinton G. Colgate
• Colonel Wesley Brainard
• Lieutenant Colonel Richard J. Dodge
• Lieutenant Colonel Francis B. O’Keefe
• Lieutenant Colonel Clinton G. Colgate
• Lieutenant Colonel James A. Magruder
• Lieutenant Colonel William A. Ketchum
• Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Chester
• Major Francis B. O’Keefe
• Major Clinton G. Colgate
• Major John A. Magruder
• Major Walter L. Cassin
• Major William A. Ketchum
• Major Edward C. Perry
• Major Sewall Sergeant
• Major Henry V. Slosson
• Major William Henderson
• Major Timothy Lubey
• Major Thomas Bogan

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 15th New York Infantry (Two Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details where recorded.

To view the complete roster, visit the 15th New York Infantry (Two Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes
• 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, Volume 2