70th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 70th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Camp Scott, Staten Island, New York, and mustered into United States service on June 20, 1861. The regiment was known as the 1st Regiment of the Excelsior Brigade and included companies recruited from New York City, Port Jervis, as well as from Michigan, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Serving in the Union Army, the 70th New York operated primarily in the Eastern Theater and participated in many major campaigns and battles of the Army of the Potomac.

This regiment is distinct from any other New York infantry units with similar designations or different service terms.

Organization & Service

The 70th New York Infantry was mustered in for a three-year term on June 20, 1861, at Camp Scott, Staten Island. Shortly after organization, the regiment departed for Washington, D.C., on July 23, 1861, and was initially assigned to Sickles’ Brigade, Hooker’s Division, performing guard duty at forts along the Maryland side of the Potomac River. Company G joined the regiment in October 1861, having been mustered in at Washington on October 8.

With the reorganization of the Army of the Potomac for the Peninsula Campaign, Sickles’ Brigade became the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 3rd Corps. The regiment reached Yorktown in April 1862 and participated in the siege and subsequent advance. At the Battle of Williamsburg, the 70th New York suffered its heaviest losses, with 330 casualties out of 700 engaged. The regiment was also active at Fair Oaks and during the Seven Days’ Battles. On August 20, 1862, the regiment embarked from Yorktown to Alexandria and moved to support General Pope at Manassas, where it saw action at Bristoe Station and the Second Battle of Bull Run.

After returning to Washington, the regiment remained in the vicinity until November 1862, then moved to Falmouth, Virginia, and participated in the Battle of Fredericksburg. The winter of 1862–1863 was spent at Falmouth. The 70th New York next took the field at Chancellorsville and later fought at Gettysburg, where it sustained significant casualties. The regiment was engaged at Wapping Heights, Kelly’s Ford, and in the Mine Run Campaign, then wintered at Brandy Station.

In April 1864, the regiment was reassigned to the 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 2nd Corps, and on May 13, 1864, to the 4th Brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Corps. The 70th New York participated in the Overland Campaign under General Grant until July 1, 1864, when it was mustered out at the expiration of its service. Veterans and recruits were transferred to the 86th New York Infantry.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Peninsula Campaign (including Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Seven Days’ Battles)
• Bristoe Station
• Second Battle of Bull Run
• Fredericksburg
• Chancellorsville
• Gettysburg
• Wapping Heights
• Kelly’s Ford
• Mine Run Campaign
• Overland Campaign (including actions at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Cold Harbor)

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded: 182
• Died of disease and other causes: 70
• Total enrollment: 1,226
• Notable losses: 330 killed, wounded, or missing at Williamsburg; 113 killed or wounded and 4 missing at Gettysburg

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Daniel E. Sickles
• Colonel William Dwight, Jr.
• Colonel J. Egbert Farnum
• Lieutenant Colonel William Dwight, Jr.
• Lieutenant Colonel J. Egbert Farnum
• Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Holt
• Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Mahan
• Major J. Egbert Farnum
• Major Thomas Holt
• Major Daniel Mahan
• Major William H. Hugo

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 70th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides details on company assignments, enlistment dates, and service records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 70th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts covering Army of the Potomac operations, 1861–1864
• 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