17th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 17th New York Infantry (Two Years’ Service), also known as the “Westchester Chasseurs,” was an infantry regiment organized in New York City and mustered into United States service on May 28, 1861, for a two-year term. The regiment comprised companies from Westchester County, New York City, Rockland, Chenango, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. Serving in the Union Army, the 17th New York operated primarily in the Eastern Theater of the Civil War and participated in several significant campaigns and battles.

This unit is distinct from any later formations or reorganizations under the same regimental number.

Organization & Service

The 17th New York Infantry was organized at New York City and mustered in for two years’ service on May 28, 1861. The regiment went into camp at Camp Washington, Staten Island, before departing for Washington, D.C., on June 21, 1861. Upon arrival, it was stationed at Fort Ellsworth near Alexandria, Virginia. The regiment was attached to the 2nd Brigade, 5th Division, and was present in reserve at the First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861.

In September 1861, the regiment was posted at Fairfax Seminary and, in October, moved to Hall’s Hill, where it was assigned to Butterfield’s Brigade, 1st Division, 3rd Corps, and established winter quarters. In March 1862, a company from the 53rd New York Infantry was assigned to the regiment. The brigade became part of the 1st Division, 5th Provisional Corps in May 1862. The regiment moved to Fortress Monroe in March 1862 and participated in reconnaissance and siege operations at Yorktown during the Peninsula Campaign. Although present, the regiment was not actively engaged in the subsequent battles of the campaign and camped at Harrison’s Landing before moving to Newport News and then Manassas.

At the Second Battle of Bull Run in August 1862, the 17th New York Infantry suffered significant casualties during a direct assault. Following this engagement, the brigade withdrew to the vicinity of Washington, D.C., and joined the Army of the Potomac during the Maryland Campaign, though the regiment was not engaged in combat. In November 1862, the regiment reached Falmouth, Virginia, and established camp. It was active at the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862 and participated in the “Mud March” in January 1863, returning to Falmouth for the remainder of the winter. The regiment was held in reserve at the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863. The two-year men were mustered out at New York City on May 22, 1863.

Engagements & Campaigns

• First Battle of Bull Run (reserve)
• Siege of Yorktown
• Second Battle of Bull Run
• Fredericksburg
• “Mud March”
• Chancellorsville (reserve)

Casualties

During its two years of service, the 17th New York Infantry lost 42 men killed or mortally wounded and 48 men who died of disease or other causes. Total deaths: 90.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Henry S. Lansing
• Colonel William T. C. Grower
• Colonel Joel O. Martin
• Colonel James Lake
• Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Ford Morris
• Lieutenant Colonel Nelson B. Bartram
• Lieutenant Colonel Edward Jardine
• Lieutenant Colonel Joel O. Martin
• Lieutenant Colonel James Lake
• Lieutenant Colonel Alexander S. Marshall
• Major Charles A. Johnson
• Major Nelson B. Bartram
• Major William T. C. Grower
• Major Joel O. Martin
• Major Charles Hilbert
• Major Alexander S. Marshall
• Major James B. Horner

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 17th 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 available.

To view the complete roster, visit the 17th 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, 12, 21
• 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