75th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 75th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Auburn, New York, and mustered into United States service for three years on November 26, 1861. Composed primarily of men from Cayuga and Seneca counties, it was also known as the “Auburn Regiment.” The unit served with the Union Army in the Gulf and Eastern theaters, participating in significant campaigns in Florida, Louisiana, and Virginia.

The regiment was notable for its early service at Fort Pickens, heavy engagement at Port Hudson, and later participation in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign. It continued in service through the end of the war, with a portion of the regiment reenlisting as veterans and serving until August 1865.

Organization & Service

The 75th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was mustered in at Auburn, New York, on November 26, 1861. The regiment departed for the South on December 6, 1861, and was stationed at Santa Rosa Island and Fort Pickens, Florida, during its first winter. In the summer of 1862, it formed part of the garrison at Pensacola, Florida. Company K joined the regiment during this period.

In September 1862, the regiment was ordered to New Orleans, Louisiana, and assigned to Weitzel’s Reserve Brigade, participating in the action at Georgia Landing. With the organization of the 19th Army Corps in January 1863, the 75th became part of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, and moved to Bayou Teche, Louisiana. The regiment suffered losses at Fort Bisland in April 1863 and took part in the assaults on Port Hudson on May 27 and June 14, 1863, where it incurred significant casualties.

Following the surrender of Port Hudson in July 1863, the regiment performed garrison duty. From August to September, it served with the Reserve Brigade, 1st Division, and was then assigned to the 3rd Brigade of the same division. In October, the regiment was mounted and attached to the 3rd Cavalry Brigade. During the winter, enough men reenlisted to continue the regiment as a veteran unit. While reenlisted men were on furlough, the remainder served with the 14th New York Cavalry, rejoining the regiment in June 1864.

The 75th New York participated in the Red River Campaign in March 1864 and was ordered to New Orleans in July. After reuniting in June 1864, the regiment served with the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 19th Corps, and then moved to Virginia, joining the Army of the James and participating in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign. The original members not reenlisted were mustered out at Auburn on December 6, 1864. The veterans and recruits were consolidated into a battalion of five companies and ordered to Savannah, Georgia, in January 1865, where they served until August 1865. The regiment was mustered out at Savannah on August 3, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Santa Rosa Island and Fort Pickens, Florida (Winter 1861–62)
• Pensacola, Florida (Summer 1862)
• Georgia Landing, Louisiana (October 1862)
• Bayou Teche, Louisiana (Early 1863)
• Fort Bisland (April 1863)
• Port Hudson (May–July 1863)
• Sabine Pass (Date not specified)
• New Iberia and Camp Lewis, Louisiana (November 1863)
• Red River Campaign (March 1864)
• Shenandoah Valley Campaign, including Halltown, Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, and Cedar Creek (1864)
• Savannah, Georgia (1865)

Casualties

The 75th New York Infantry lost 106 men by death from wounds and 109 from other causes during its service. At Port Hudson, the regiment lost 107 killed, wounded, and missing in the assaults of May 27 and June 14, 1863. At Sabine Pass, it lost 85 killed, wounded, or missing. During the battle of Opequon, the loss was 73 killed, wounded, and missing. Total losses are based on available official reports.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John A. Dodge
• Colonel Robert B. Merritt
• Colonel Robert P. York
• Lieutenant Colonel Robert P. York
• Lieutenant Colonel William M. Hosmer
• Lieutenant Colonel Robert B. Merritt
• Lieutenant Colonel Willoughby Babcock
• Major Willoughby Babcock
• Major Lewis E. Carpenter
• Major Benjamin F. Thurber
• Major William M. Hosmer
• Major Charles H. Cox

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 75th 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 75th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (see reports on Gulf and Shenandoah Valley operations)
• 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, Vol. 2, Federal Publishing Company, 1908