36th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 36th New York Infantry (Two Years’ Service), known as the “Washington Volunteers,” was an infantry regiment organized at New York City for Union service during the American Civil War. The regiment was mustered into United States service on July 4, 1861, for a two-year term, with service dating from June 11, 1861. It comprised eight companies from New York City, one from Buffalo, and one from Newburgh. The 36th New York served primarily in the Eastern Theater, participating in several major campaigns and battles of the Army of the Potomac.

Organization & Service

The 36th New York Infantry was organized at New York City and mustered in on July 4, 1861. The regiment departed New York for Washington, D.C., on July 12, 1861, and established camp at Meridian Hill. On August 6, it moved to Brightwood and was assigned to Couch’s brigade, where it was engaged in construction work at Fort Massachusetts and remained in that vicinity until March 13, 1862.

In March 1862, the regiment became part of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Corps, Army of the Potomac. It embarked for Fortress Monroe on March 26, 1862, and participated in the Peninsula Campaign, including the siege of Yorktown, the battles of Lee’s Mill and Fair Oaks (suffering 48 casualties at Fair Oaks), and the Seven Days’ Battles. At Malvern Hill, the regiment supported the 1st New York Battery and later made a charge that resulted in the capture of 65 prisoners and the colors of the 14th North Carolina, earning commendation from commanding officers. The regiment lost 143 men at Malvern Hill in killed, wounded, and missing.

After the Peninsula Campaign, the 36th New York camped at Harrison’s Landing until August 16, then moved to Alexandria. A detachment was sent to Chantilly and engaged there on September 1, 1862. The regiment was reunited at Antietam as part of Couch’s Division and served with the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Corps, until December 1862, when it was reassigned to the 2nd Brigade of the same division. The regiment was active at Fredericksburg, participated in the “Mud March” in January 1863, and remained at Falmouth for the winter. In May 1863, it took part in the assault on Marye’s Heights and fought at Salem Heights. The regiment returned to Falmouth, then marched to Poolesville, Maryland, in June. The 36th New York started for home in early July and was mustered out at New York City on July 15, 1863.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Siege of Yorktown (April–May 1862)
• Battle of Lee’s Mill (April 16, 1862)
• Battle of Fair Oaks (May 31–June 1, 1862)
• Seven Days’ Battles (June 25–July 1, 1862)
• Battle of Malvern Hill (July 1, 1862)
• Action at Chantilly (September 1, 1862, detachment)
• Battle of Antietam (September 17, 1862, present with division)
• Battle of Fredericksburg (December 11–15, 1862)
• “Mud March” (January 1863)
• Assault on Marye’s Heights (May 3, 1863)
• Battle of Salem Heights (May 4, 1863)

Casualties

• Died of wounds: 27
• Died of other causes: 31
• Total deaths: 58

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Charles H. Innes
• Colonel William H. Brown
• Lieutenant Colonel Thomas J. Lord
• Lieutenant Colonel Daniel E. Hungerford
• Lieutenant Colonel James Walsh
• Major Nathaniel Finch
• Major James A. Raney
• Major Elihu J. Faxon
• Major J. Townsend Daniel

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 36th New York Infantry (Two Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and additional service details valuable for genealogical research.

To view the complete roster, visit the 36th New York Infantry (Two Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XI, XII, XIX
• 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