63rd New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 63rd New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in New York City for the Union Army during the American Civil War. Known as the 3rd Irish Regiment, it was composed mainly of recruits from New York City, with additional men from Boston and Albany. The regiment was mustered into United States service between September and December 1861 and became part of the famed Irish Brigade in the Army of the Potomac. The 63rd New York Infantry was noted for its gallantry and heavy losses in several major battles throughout the war.

Organization & Service

The 63rd New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at New York City and mustered in from September to December 1861. The regiment departed New York for Washington, D.C., on November 28, 1861, and was assigned to the Irish Brigade, initially in Sumner’s Division, which became the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac.

During the winter of 1861–62, the regiment remained near Washington before joining the advance to the Virginia Peninsula. It performed trench and picket duty during the siege of Yorktown and saw action at Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, and throughout the Seven Days’ Battles. At Antietam, the 63rd suffered severe losses, with 6 officers mortally wounded and 202 casualties out of 341 engaged. The regiment moved into Virginia, arriving at Falmouth in November 1862, and fought at Fredericksburg, where it entered the battle with only 162 men and lost 44 killed, wounded, or missing.

After wintering near Falmouth, the regiment participated in the Chancellorsville Campaign. By June 1863, it was consolidated into two companies due to losses. The 63rd fought at Gettysburg, Auburn, Bristoe Station, and in the Mine Run Campaign, then wintered near Brandy Station. Reinforcements arrived in late 1863 and 1864, allowing the regiment to continue as a veteran organization. The 63rd New York was heavily engaged at the Wilderness, losing 99 men, and suffered further losses at Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, and the initial Petersburg assaults. The regiment also fought at Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains, Reams’ Station, Hatcher’s Run, Fort Stedman, and participated in the final assault on Petersburg and the pursuit to Appomattox. The regiment was mustered out at Alexandria, Virginia, on June 30, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Siege of Yorktown
• Williamsburg
• Fair Oaks
• Seven Days’ Battles
• Antietam
• Fredericksburg
• Chancellorsville Campaign
• Gettysburg
• Auburn
• Bristoe Station
• Mine Run Campaign
• The Wilderness
• Spotsylvania
• Cold Harbor
• First assaults on Petersburg
• Deep Bottom
• Strawberry Plains
• Reams’ Station
• Hatcher’s Run
• Fort Stedman
• Final assault on Petersburg
• Pursuit to Appomattox

Casualties

According to available primary sources, the 63rd New York Infantry lost 157 men by death from wounds and 95 from other causes, out of a total enrollment of 1,411. At Antietam, the regiment lost 6 officers mortally wounded and 202 killed or wounded out of 341 engaged. At Fredericksburg, 44 were reported killed, wounded, or missing out of 162 engaged. At the Wilderness, 99 men fell, and 31 more in the following week. Total losses may vary slightly between sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Richard C. Enright
• Colonel John Burke
• Colonel Henry Fowler
• Colonel Richard C. Bentley
• Colonel John H. Gleason
• Colonel James D. Brady
• Lieutenant Colonel Henry Fowler
• Lieutenant Colonel Richard C. Bentley
• Lieutenant Colonel John Stewart
• Lieutenant Colonel John H. Gleason
• Lieutenant Colonel James D. Brady
• Lieutenant Colonel William H. Terwilliger
• Major Thomas F. Lynch
• Major Richard C. Bentley
• Major Joseph O’Neil
• Major Thomas Touhey
• Major Miles McDonald
• Major John H. Gleason
• Major James D. Brady
• Major William H. Terwilliger
• Major James McQuade

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 63rd New York Infantry (Three 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 and historical research.

To view the complete roster, visit the 63rd 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, 23, 25, 27, 29, 36, 40, 46
• 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