Overview
The 102nd New York Infantry (Van Buren Light Infantry) served as an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Principally recruited in New York City, the regiment was formed by consolidating the Von Beck Rifles, part of the McClellan Infantry, and Col. Van Buren’s command, later supplemented by companies from the 78th Cameron Highlanders and the 12th Militia. The regiment was mustered into United States service between November 1861 and April 1862. It served primarily in the Eastern and Western Theaters, participating in major campaigns with the Army of Virginia, the XII Corps, and later the XX Corps of the Army of the Cumberland and Army of Georgia.
The 102nd New York Infantry is noted for its extensive service, fighting in over 40 engagements and suffering significant casualties. Its service extended from the early campaigns in Virginia through the Atlanta Campaign, the March to the Sea, and the Carolinas Campaign, before mustering out in July 1865.
Organization & Service
The 102nd New York Infantry was organized in New York City by consolidating several independent commands, including the Von Beck Rifles under Col. R. H. Shannon and part of the McClellan Infantry under Col. S. Levy, with Col. Thomas B. Van Buren’s command. The organization was completed with the addition of two companies from the 78th Cameron Highlanders and Company A of the 12th Militia. The regiment was mustered into federal service from November 1861 to April 1862.
Eight companies left New York State on March 10, 1862, with Companies I and K following on April 7. The regiment was initially attached to the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Corps, Army of Virginia. Its first major action was at Cedar Mountain, where it suffered 115 casualties. The regiment participated in the Second Battle of Bull Run and was present at Chantilly, though not engaged. It was then assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, XII Corps, Army of the Potomac, and fought at Antietam, losing 37 men.
Throughout late 1862 and early 1863, the regiment was engaged in minor actions at Lovettsville, Ripon, Hillsboro, Winchester, Wolf Run Shoal, and Fairfax Station, before wintering at Stafford Court House. At Chancellorsville, serving in Geary’s Division, the regiment lost 90 men. At Gettysburg, as part of the “White Star” Division, it lost 29 men. The regiment continued in pursuit of Lee’s army, engaging at Ellis’ Ford and Stevensburg, before moving to Tennessee in September 1863 to reinforce General Rosecrans.
The 102nd fought at Wauhatchie, participated in the Chattanooga and Rossville campaigns, and was engaged at Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and Ringgold Gap, with 14 casualties during these operations. In 1864, as part of the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, XX Corps, Army of the Cumberland, it joined General Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign, fighting at Villanow, Mill Creek Gap, Resaca, Calhoun, Cassville, Dallas, Acworth, Kennesaw Mountain, Chattahoochee River, Peachtree Creek (53 casualties), and Bald Hill.
The regiment marched with Sherman to the sea, participated in the siege of Savannah, and continued through the Carolinas Campaign, engaging at Wadesboro, Averasboro, Bentonville, Goldsboro, Raleigh, and Bennett’s House, with 18 casualties in the final campaign. In July 1864, the regiment absorbed officers and men from the 78th New York Infantry. In June 1865, it received transfers from the 119th, 154th, 137th, 149th, 134th, and 184th New York regiments. The 102nd New York Infantry was mustered out under Colonel Harvey S. Chatfield on July 21, 1865, at Alexandria, Virginia.
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
- Cedar Mountain
- Second Bull Run
- Antietam
- Lovettsville
- Ripon
- Hillsboro
- Winchester
- Wolf Run Shoal
- Fairfax Station
- Chancellorsville
- Gettysburg
- Ellis’ Ford
- Stevensburg
- Wauhatchie
- Lookout Mountain
- Missionary Ridge
- Ringgold Gap
- Villanow
- Mill Creek Gap
- Resaca
- Calhoun
- Cassville
- Dallas
- Acworth
- Kennesaw Mountain
- Chattahoochee River
- Peachtree Creek
- Bald Hill
- Savannah (Siege)
- Wadesboro
- Averasboro
- Bentonville
- Goldsboro
- Raleigh
- Bennett’s House
Casualties
- Killed or mortally wounded: 7 officers, 67 enlisted men
- Died of disease, accident, etc.: 82 enlisted men
- Total deaths: 7 officers, 149 enlisted men
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel Thomas B. Van Buren
- Colonel James C. Lane
- Colonel Herbert Hammerstien
- Colonel Harvey S. Chatfield
- Lieutenant Colonel William B. Hayward
- Lieutenant Colonel James C. Lane
- Lieutenant Colonel Harvey S. Chatfield
- Lieutenant Colonel Oscar J. Spaulding
- Major James C. Lane
- Major F. Eugene Trotter
- Major Gilbert M. Elliott (killed at Lookout Mountain)
- Major Lewis R. Stegman
- Major Oscar J. Spaulding
- Major Reuben H. Wilber
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 102nd New York Infantry, including officers and enlisted men who served during the regiment’s term, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides details on enlistment, rank, and service records.
To view the complete roster, visit the 102nd 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 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