44th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 44th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), known as “Ellsworth’s Avengers,” was an infantry regiment organized at Albany, New York, for Union service during the American Civil War. The regiment was raised under the auspices of the Ellsworth Association as a memorial to Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth, with an initial plan to enlist one unmarried man of military experience from each town and ward in the state. The regiment mustered into United States service in August and September 1861, with additional companies joining in October 1862. The 44th New York served primarily in the Army of the Potomac, participating in major campaigns and battles in the Eastern Theater.

Organization & Service

The 44th New York Infantry was organized at Albany, New York, and mustered into service for three years in August and September 1861. Two additional companies were mustered in on October 21, 1862. The regiment left Albany for Washington, D.C., on October 21, 1861, and was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, later with the 5th Corps of the Army of the Potomac. The regiment established camp at Hall’s Hill, Virginia, and spent the winter of 1861–62 on routine duties.

In March 1862, the 44th led the advance to Centerville, then moved to Fairfax and on to Yorktown, arriving April 1. The regiment garrisoned Fort Magruder in May, then participated in the Peninsula Campaign, including the battles of Hanover Court House, Gaines’ Mill, and Malvern Hill. The regiment suffered significant losses at Hanover Court House, Gaines’ Mill, and Malvern Hill. After returning to Alexandria, the regiment moved via Fortress Monroe to Manassas, where it fought in the Second Battle of Bull Run. The 44th was in reserve at Antietam, then engaged at Shepherdstown and Fredericksburg, and endured Burnside’s “Mud March.”

In April 1863, the regiment participated in the Chancellorsville Campaign. In June, veterans from the 14th and 25th New York were consolidated into the 44th. At Gettysburg, the regiment was posted on the left of the Union line and took part in the defense of Little Round Top, suffering its greatest losses there. The regiment subsequently saw action at Bristoe Station, Rappahannock Station, and during the Mine Run Campaign, before wintering at Brandy Station.

Many men reenlisted in December 1863 and returned after veteran furlough. In May 1864, the regiment fought in the Wilderness Campaign, including the battles of the Wilderness and Bethesda Church, with heavy proportional losses. The 44th was engaged in the first assault on Petersburg in June 1864, and later at the Weldon Railroad and Poplar Spring Church. On October 11, 1864, the regiment was mustered out at Albany. Remaining veterans and recruits formed a battalion, with 266 men transferred to the 140th New York and 183 to the 146th New York.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Peninsula Campaign (Yorktown, Fort Magruder, Hanover Court House, Gaines’ Mill, Malvern Hill)
• Second Battle of Bull Run (Manassas)
• Antietam (in reserve)
• Shepherdstown
• Fredericksburg
• Burnside’s “Mud March”
• Chancellorsville Campaign
• Gettysburg (defense of Little Round Top)
• Bristoe Station
• Rappahannock Station
• Mine Run Campaign
• Wilderness Campaign (Wilderness, Bethesda Church)
• First Assault on Petersburg
• Weldon Railroad
• Poplar Spring Church

Casualties

• Total enrollment: 1,585
• Died of wounds received in action: 188
• Died from accident, imprisonment, or disease: 147
• Total killed, wounded, and missing: 730

Casualty figures are based on regimental and official reports. If figures vary in other sources, these are the most commonly cited totals.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Stephen W. Stryker
• Colonel James C. Rice
• Colonel Freeman Conner
• Lieutenant Colonel James C. Rice
• Lieutenant Colonel Edward P. Chapin
• Lieutenant Colonel Freeman Conner
• Lieutenant Colonel Edward B. Knox
• Major Stephen W. Stryker
• Major James McKown
• Major Edward P. Chapin
• Major Freeman Conner
• Major Edward B. Knox
• Major Campbell Allen

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 44th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details where available.

To view the complete roster, visit the 44th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 5, 11, 19, 21, 27, 29, 36, 40
• 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, Vol. 2