117th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 117th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment raised in Oneida County, New York, during the summer of 1862 for Union service in the American Civil War. Organized at Rome, New York, the regiment mustered into United States service between August 8 and 16, 1862, for a three-year term. The 117th New York served primarily in the Eastern and Southern theaters, participating in major campaigns in Virginia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. The regiment was noted for its involvement in the siege of Fort Wagner, the assault on Fort Fisher, and numerous other engagements.

Organization & Service

The 117th New York Infantry was recruited in Oneida County and mustered in at Rome, New York, from August 8 to 16, 1862. The regiment departed the state on August 22, 1862, and was initially stationed at Tenallytown, Maryland, where it remained until April 1863. It was then ordered to Suffolk, Virginia, as part of the 1st Brigade, Getty’s Division, 7th Corps, and participated in the Peninsular campaign of 1863.

Following the discontinuation of the 7th Corps, the regiment joined the 18th Corps, Department of the South, and was later assigned to Vogdes’ Division, 10th Corps, on Folly Island, South Carolina. Here, the regiment took part in the siege of Fort Wagner and operations around Charleston Harbor. In April 1864, the 117th was ordered back to Virginia, joining General Butler’s Army of the James as part of the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 10th Corps. The regiment participated in actions at Swift Creek, Drewry’s Bluff, and Bermuda Hundred, suffering significant casualties at Drewry’s Bluff, where Colonel Alvin White was wounded.

At Cold Harbor, the regiment was temporarily attached to the 18th Corps before rejoining the 10th Corps for the assault on Petersburg. It was present at the mine explosion and later fought at Fort Harrison and on the Darbytown Road, incurring further losses. When the 10th Corps was discontinued in December 1864, the regiment became part of Curtis’ Brigade, Ames’ (2nd) Division, 24th Corps. The 117th participated in Butler’s expedition to Fort Fisher, North Carolina, where Companies B and H captured 230 men of the 4th North Carolina Reserves during a reconnaissance. After returning briefly to Virginia, the regiment was ordered back to Fort Fisher for the final assault under General Terry, sustaining heavy casualties.

In February 1865, the regiment was engaged at Cape Fear River, Fort Anderson, and Wilmington, North Carolina. During March and April, as part of the provisional corps, it participated in General Terry’s Carolina campaign, which concluded at the Bennett House on April 26, 1865. The 117th New York remained on duty at Raleigh, North Carolina, until mustering out on June 8, 1865, under Colonel Rufus Daggett. Approximately 250 recruits and reenlisted men were transferred to the 48th New York Infantry at the end of its service.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Defense of Washington, D.C. (1862–1863)
• Suffolk, Virginia (April 1863)
• Peninsular Campaign (1863)
• Siege of Fort Wagner and operations around Charleston Harbor (Summer–Fall 1863)
• Swift Creek, Virginia (May 1864)
• Drewry’s Bluff (May 1864)
• Bermuda Hundred (May 1864)
• Cold Harbor (June 1864)
• Assault on Petersburg (June 1864)
• Mine Explosion, Petersburg (July 1864)
• Fort Harrison (September 1864)
• Darbytown Road (October 1864)
• First and Second Expeditions to Fort Fisher, North Carolina (December 1864–January 1865)
• Assault on Fort Fisher (January 1865)
• Cape Fear River, Fort Anderson, Wilmington (February 1865)
• Carolina Campaign (March–April 1865)

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded: 9 officers, 129 enlisted men
• Died of disease and other causes: 1 officer, 136 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 274
• Died in the hands of the enemy: 21

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel William R. Pease
• Colonel Alvin White
• Colonel Rufus Daggett
• Lieutenant Colonel Alvin White
• Lieutenant Colonel Rufus Daggett
• Lieutenant Colonel Francis X. Meyer
• Major Rufus Daggett
• Major Francis X. Meyer
• Major Egbert Bagg

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 117th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details where available.

To view the complete roster, visit the 117th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 18, 27, 28, 36, 40, 42
• 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