Overview
The 86th New York Infantry (Steuben Rangers) was an infantry regiment organized in New York State for Union service during the American Civil War. Recruitment was primarily from Steuben, Chemung, and Onondaga counties. The regiment mustered into United States service at Elmira, New York, from November 20 to 23, 1861, and served in the Eastern Theater. The 86th New York was noted for its active participation in major campaigns and earned the nickname “The fighting regiment of the Southern Tier.”
Organization & Service
The 86th New York Infantry was organized at Elmira, New York, and mustered into service between November 20 and 23, 1861. The regiment departed for Washington, D.C., on November 23, 1861, and spent its first winter performing guard duty in the vicinity of the capital. In August 1862, the regiment was ordered to the front and joined General Pope’s forces, participating in the Second Battle of Bull Run, where it suffered significant losses.
Following this, the 86th New York moved to Fredericksburg and took part in the battle there as part of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 3rd Corps. The regiment wintered near Falmouth, Virginia. In May 1863, it played a prominent role at Chancellorsville and was also engaged at Brandy Station. The regiment fought at Gettysburg in July 1863 and subsequently moved southward, seeing action at Wapping Heights, Auburn, and Kelly’s Ford. During the Mine Run Campaign, the regiment lost 32 men at Locust Grove.
In the winter of 1863–1864, while encamped at Brandy Station, many members reenlisted and received veteran furloughs in January 1864. The regiment continued in the field as a veteran unit. In April 1864, it joined the Overland Campaign, assigned to the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Corps, and participated in all major battles of the advance toward Richmond, suffering its heaviest losses at the Po River. The 86th New York was engaged in the initial assault on Petersburg and subsequent actions at the Weldon Railroad, Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains, Poplar Spring Church, Boydton Road, Hicksford Raid, Hatcher’s Run, and throughout the Appomattox Campaign.
The regiment mustered out at the end of its service, having established a reputation for hard fighting and heavy losses among both enlisted men and officers.
Research This Regiment Further
If you’d like to explore this unit’s history in more depth, regimental histories and Civil War reference works offer valuable detail.
Engagements & Campaigns
- Second Bull Run (August 1862)
- Fredericksburg (December 1862)
- Chancellorsville (May 1863)
- Brandy Station
- Gettysburg (July 1863)
- Wapping Heights
- Auburn
- Kelly’s Ford
- Mine Run Campaign (Locust Grove)
- Wilderness Campaign (May–June 1864)
- Po River
- Petersburg (initial assault and siege operations)
- Weldon Railroad
- Deep Bottom
- Strawberry Plains
- Poplar Spring Church
- Boydton Road
- Hicksford Raid
- Hatcher’s Run
- Appomattox Campaign
Casualties
- Killed in action: 98
- Died of wounds: 73
- Died of disease and other causes: 153
- Total enrollment: 1,318
The regiment suffered heavy losses among both enlisted men and officers. Lieutenant Colonel Barnard J. Chapin was killed at Chancellorsville, Major Benjamin L. Higgins was severely wounded at Chancellorsville, and Lieutenant Colonel Michael B. Stafford was killed before Petersburg.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel Benijah P. Bailey
- Colonel Benjamin L. Higgins
- Colonel Jacob H. Lansing
- Colonel Nathan H. Vincent
- Lieutenant Colonel Barnard J. Chapin
- Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin L. Higgins
- Lieutenant Colonel Jacob H. Lansing
- Lieutenant Colonel Michael B. Stafford
- Lieutenant Colonel Nathan H. Vincent
- Lieutenant Colonel Luzern Todd
- Major Seyman G. Rheinvault
- Major Benjamin L. Higgins
- Major Jacob H. Lansing
- Major Michael B. Stafford
- Major Nathan H. Vincent
- Major Frederick Van Tine
- Major Luzern Todd
- Major Samuel H. Leavitt
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 86th New York Infantry, including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the regiment.
To view the complete roster, visit the 86th New York Infantry Regimental Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts.
- 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.