52nd New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 52nd New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), also known as the “Sigel Rifles,” was an infantry regiment organized in New York City for Union service during the American Civil War. The regiment was composed of six companies of the German Rangers and four companies of the Sigel Rifles, reflecting its strong German-American composition. Mustered into United States service on November 5, 1861, the 52nd New York served primarily in the Eastern Theater as part of the Army of the Potomac. The regiment is recognized as one of Fox’s “three hundred fighting regiments” due to its extensive combat record and heavy losses.

Organization & Service

The 52nd New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at New York City and mustered in on November 5, 1861. The regiment left New York for Washington, D.C. on November 12, 1861, with approximately 950 men. Upon arrival, it went into camp at Bladensburg, Maryland, and was initially attached to Sumner’s Division. The unit was later assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac, and spent the winter of 1861-62 at Camp California, Virginia.

In March 1862, the regiment moved to Manassas and then to Alexandria, embarking for the Peninsula Campaign in early April. The 52nd participated in the siege of Yorktown and was heavily engaged at Fair Oaks, suffering significant casualties. The regiment fought through the Seven Days’ Battles and, by July at Harrison’s Landing, could muster only 67 men for duty due to losses from combat and illness. Reinforcements arrived in August, and the regiment moved with the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Corps to Alexandria and then to Tennallytown, where it was transferred to the 3rd Brigade.

The 52nd New York reached South Mountain after the battle and was closely engaged at Antietam. It encamped at Harper’s Ferry until late October, then moved to Snicker’s Gap and Falmouth, participating in the Battle of Fredericksburg in December. The regiment spent the winter at Falmouth and was active in the Chancellorsville Campaign in the spring of 1863. In June, the regiment marched to Gettysburg, arriving on July 2 and taking position on Cemetery Ridge during the battle.

Following Gettysburg, the regiment was engaged at Bristoe Station, Mitchell’s Ford, and participated in the Mine Run Campaign. It wintered at Stevensburg before joining the Overland Campaign in May 1864, fighting at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, the Po River, North Anna, Totopotomoy, and Cold Harbor. The 52nd New York then moved to Petersburg, participating in the initial assault and the subsequent siege, as well as actions at the Weldon Railroad, Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains, and Hatcher’s Run.

In July 1864, the regiment was transferred to the consolidated brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Corps, and in November to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Corps. Non-reenlisted men were mustered out in New York City in September and October 1864. The regiment fought at White Oak Ridge on March 29, 1865, and was present at the final assault on Petersburg on April 2. The 52nd New York Infantry was mustered out at Alexandria, Virginia, on July 1, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Siege of Yorktown (April–May 1862)
• Battle of Fair Oaks (May 31–June 1, 1862)
• Seven Days’ Battles (June–July 1862)
• Battle of Antietam (September 17, 1862)
• Battle of Fredericksburg (December 11–15, 1862)
• Chancellorsville Campaign (April–May 1863)
• Battle of Gettysburg (July 2–3, 1863)
• Bristoe Station (October 1863)
• Mine Run Campaign (November–December 1863)
• Wilderness Campaign (May 1864)
• Spotsylvania Court House (May 1864)
• Po River, North Anna, Totopotomoy, and Cold Harbor (May–June 1864)
• Siege of Petersburg (June 1864–April 1865)
• Weldon Railroad, Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains, Hatcher’s Run (1864–1865)
• White Oak Ridge (March 29, 1865)
• Final Assault on Petersburg (April 2, 1865)

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded: 153
• Died of accident or disease: 94
• Died in prison: 103
• Total killed, wounded, or missing in battles: 752

These figures are based on regimental and official reports. If discrepancies exist among sources, the above numbers reflect the most commonly cited totals.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Paul Frank
• Colonel Henry M. Karples
• Lieutenant Colonel Philip J. Lichtenstein
• Lieutenant Colonel Charles G. Fredenburg
• Lieutenant Colonel George W. Von Schack
• Lieutenant Colonel James C. Bronson
• Lieutenant Colonel Henry P. Ritzius
• Major Charles G. Fredenburg
• Major Edward Venuti
• Major Henry M. Karples
• Major Henry P. Ritzius
• Major Charles Kronmeyer

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 52nd New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the regiment during its term of service.

To view the complete roster, visit the 52nd New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 5, 9, 11, 19, 21, 25, 27, 29, 36, 40, 46 (reports and correspondence involving the 52nd New York Infantry)
• New York State Adjutant General’s Report, Annual Reports for 1861–1865 (rosters and regimental summaries)
• Dyer, Frederick H. “A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion” (1908)
• Fox, William F. “Regimental Losses in the American Civil War” (1889)
• “The Union Army,” Federal Publishing Company, Vol. 2 (1908)