98th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 98th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in New York for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Primarily recruited from Wayne County, the regiment mustered into United States service at Malone and Lyons in February 1862. The 98th New York served in the Eastern Theater, participating in several major campaigns and engagements throughout its term of service.

The regiment was known as the “Wayne County Regiment” and served in various corps and departments, including the IV Corps, XVIII Corps, and XXIV Corps. It was mustered out at Richmond, Virginia, on August 31, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 98th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Malone and Lyons, New York, and mustered into service in February 1862. The regiment departed for Washington, D.C., on March 8, 1862, and was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, IV Corps. Shortly after, it embarked for the Virginia Peninsula and was present at the siege of Yorktown and the battles of Williamsburg and Savage Station. The regiment saw its first significant engagement at the Battle of Fair Oaks, where it suffered 71 casualties.

During the Seven Days’ Battles, the 98th New York was held in reserve and was stationed at Yorktown during the Second Battle of Bull Run. In December 1862, the regiment was transferred to the Department of North Carolina and, in January 1863, became part of the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, XVIII Corps. It served at various posts in North Carolina until October 1863, after which it returned to Virginia, performing duty at Newport News, Portsmouth, and in the Currituck district until April 1864.

In April 1864, the regiment was attached to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, XVIII Corps, and later to the 3rd Division, XXIV Corps, following the corps’ reorganization in December 1864. The 98th New York participated in operations at Swift Creek, Proctor’s Creek, Drewry’s Bluff, and Bermuda Hundred in May 1864. It joined the Army of the Potomac before the Battle of Cold Harbor, where it sustained heavy losses. The regiment was also engaged at Fort Harrison, Fair Oaks, and took part in the final assault on Petersburg on April 2, 1865. From June 19, 1865, the 139th New York served with the 98th. The regiment was mustered out at Richmond, Virginia, on August 31, 1865.

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

  • Siege of Yorktown (April–May 1862)
  • Battle of Williamsburg (May 5, 1862)
  • Battle of Savage Station (June 29, 1862)
  • Battle of Fair Oaks (May 31–June 1, 1862)
  • Seven Days’ Battles (June–July 1862, in reserve)
  • Second Battle of Bull Run (August 28–30, 1862, stationed at Yorktown)
  • Department of North Carolina service (1863)
  • Swift Creek and Proctor’s Creek (May 1864)
  • Drewry’s Bluff (May 1864)
  • Bermuda Hundred (May 1864)
  • Battle of Cold Harbor (June 1–12, 1864)
  • Fort Harrison (September 29–30, 1864)
  • Fair Oaks (October 27–28, 1864)
  • Final assault on Petersburg (April 2, 1865)

Casualties

According to available records, the 98th New York Infantry lost 102 men by death from wounds and 136 by death from accident, imprisonment, or disease. At the Battle of Fair Oaks, the regiment suffered 71 killed, wounded, or missing, and at Cold Harbor, it lost 114 killed, wounded, or missing. Total losses for the regiment are reported as 238 men by death from all causes.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel William Dutton
  • Colonel Charles Durkee
  • Colonel Frederick M. Wead
  • Colonel William Kreutzer
  • Lieutenant Colonel Charles Durkee
  • Lieutenant Colonel Frederick M. Wead
  • Lieutenant Colonel William Kreutzer
  • Lieutenant Colonel William H. Rogers
  • Major Albon Mann
  • Major George H. Clark
  • Major William Hunt Rogers
  • Major Albert C. Wells

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 98th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides details on company assignments, ranks, and service records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 98th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XI, XVIII, XXXVI, XL, XLII
  • 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
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