123rd New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 123rd New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Salem, Washington County, New York, and mustered into United States service on September 4, 1862, for a three-year term. The regiment served in the Union Army, primarily in the Eastern and Western Theaters, and was composed mainly of men from Washington County. It was attached to Williams’ (1st) Division, 12th Corps, throughout its service, later becoming part of the 20th Corps.

The 123rd New York Infantry participated in several major campaigns, including Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Atlanta Campaign, the March to the Sea, and the Carolinas Campaign. The regiment is noted for its heavy engagement at Chancellorsville and its continued service through the end of the war.

Organization & Service

The 123rd New York Infantry was organized at Salem, New York, and mustered into service on September 4, 1862. The following day, the regiment departed the state and was assigned to Williams’ (1st) Division, 12th Corps. Its first significant action occurred at the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863, where it suffered substantial losses, including the mortal wounding of Lieutenant Colonel Franklin Norton.

At Gettysburg in July 1863, the regiment was only slightly engaged, with a loss of 14 men. Following the battle, the 123rd participated in the pursuit of Confederate forces into Virginia and saw action at Fair Play and Williamsport, Maryland, and Robertson’s Ford, Virginia. In December 1863, a portion of the 145th New York Infantry was transferred to the regiment.

On September 23, 1863, the regiment and its corps were ordered to Tennessee to reinforce General Rosecrans. The 123rd performed guard and picket duty along the railroad between Murfreesboro and Bridgeport for several months. In April 1864, the 12th Corps was reorganized as the 20th Corps, with Williams’ Division retaining its red star badge.

The regiment joined Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign in May 1864, participating in the battles of Resaca, Cassville, and Dallas, where Colonel Archibald L. McDougall was mortally wounded. The 123rd suffered further losses at Kennesaw Mountain and Peachtree Creek, and was engaged in the siege of Atlanta from July 21 to August 26, 1864.

In November 1864, the regiment marched with Sherman to the sea, taking part in the final Carolinas Campaign in 1865, including actions at Chesterfield, Averasboro, Bentonville, Aiken, Smithfield, Raleigh, and Bennett’s House. After the surrender of General Johnston, the 123rd marched to Washington, D.C., participated in the Grand Review, and was mustered out on June 8, 1865, under Colonel James C. Rogers. Remaining men not entitled to discharge were transferred to the 145th New York Infantry.

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

  • Chancellorsville
  • Gettysburg
  • Fair Play, Maryland
  • Williamsport, Maryland
  • Robertson’s Ford, Virginia
  • Guard and picket duty (Murfreesboro to Bridgeport)
  • Resaca
  • Cassville
  • Dallas
  • Kennesaw Mountain
  • Peachtree Creek
  • Siege of Atlanta
  • March to the Sea
  • Chesterfield
  • Averasboro
  • Bentonville
  • Aiken
  • Smithfield
  • Raleigh
  • Bennett’s House

Casualties

  • Killed or mortally wounded: 6 officers, 68 enlisted men
  • Died of disease and other causes: 95 enlisted men
  • Total deaths: 169

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel Archibald L. McDougall
  • Colonel Ambrose Stevens
  • Colonel James C. Rogers
  • Lieutenant Colonel Franklin Norton
  • Lieutenant Colonel James C. Rogers
  • Lieutenant Colonel Adolph H. Tanner
  • Major James C. Rogers
  • Major A. H. Tanner
  • Major Henry Gray

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 123rd New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the regiment.

To view the complete roster, visit the 123rd New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 25, 27, 28, 38, 44
  • 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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