125th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 125th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Troy, Rensselaer County, New York, and mustered into United States service between August 27 and 29, 1862, for a three-year term. Serving in the Union Army, the regiment was primarily active in the Eastern Theater and participated in many of the major campaigns of the Army of the Potomac. The regiment is noted for its heavy combat losses and reputation as a hard-fighting unit.

Recruited mainly from Rensselaer County, the 125th New York Infantry was involved in significant actions including the surrender at Harper’s Ferry, the Battle of Gettysburg, and the final campaigns leading to the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia.

Organization & Service

The 125th New York Infantry was organized at Troy, New York, and mustered into service from August 27 to 29, 1862. Shortly after organization, the regiment departed for Harper’s Ferry, Virginia, where it was captured during the surrender of the post on September 15, 1862. The men were paroled and sent to a parole camp in Chicago, Illinois, for approximately two months. After being declared exchanged, the regiment returned to Virginia in December 1862 and spent the winter encamped at Centerville.

In the spring of 1863, the regiment was attached to General Hays’ brigade. By June 1863, the brigade joined the 3rd Division, 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac, as it marched toward Gettysburg. At Gettysburg, Colonel George L. Willard, commanding the brigade, was killed, and the regiment suffered significant casualties. The 125th distinguished itself at Bristoe Station in October 1863 and participated in the Mine Run campaign later that year.

With the reorganization of the Army of the Potomac in April 1864, the regiment was transferred to Barlow’s (1st) Division, 2nd Corps, where it remained for the rest of its service. The 125th New York fought in the Wilderness, at Spotsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, and throughout the Petersburg Campaign. It also saw action at Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains, Reams’ Station, and Hatcher’s Run. During the final campaign of 1865, the regiment participated in the assault on Petersburg and the engagements at Deatonsville Road, High Bridge, and Farmville. The regiment was mustered out near Alexandria, Virginia, on June 5, 1865, under Colonel Joseph Hyde.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Surrender at Harper’s Ferry (September 1862)
• Gettysburg Campaign (June–July 1863), including the Battle of Gettysburg
• Bristoe Station (October 1863)
• Mitchell’s Ford
• Mine Run Campaign (November–December 1863)
• Overland Campaign (May–June 1864): Wilderness, Po River, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor
• Petersburg Campaign (June 1864–April 1865), including Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains, Reams’ Station, Hatcher’s Run
• Appomattox Campaign (March–April 1865): Assault on Petersburg, Deatonsville Road, High Bridge, Farmville

Casualties

• Total enrollment: 1,248
• Killed and mortally wounded: 15 officers, 112 enlisted men
• Died of disease and other causes: 1 officer, 115 enlisted men
• Died in Confederate prisons: 3 officers, 61 enlisted men
• Total killed and wounded: 464 officers and men
• Notable losses: 26 killed, 104 wounded, 9 missing at Gettysburg; 36 killed, wounded, and missing at Bristoe Station; 41 lost at Mine Run; 28 at Wilderness; 90 at Po River and Spotsylvania; 85 at North Anna, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg; 22 at Reams’ Station; 32 during the final campaign of 1865

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel George L. Willard
• Colonel Levin Crandell
• Colonel Joseph Hyde
• Lieutenant Colonel Levin Crandell
• Lieutenant Colonel Aaron B. Myer
• Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Hyde
• Major James C. Bush
• Major Aaron B. Myer
• Major Samuel C. Armstrong
• Major Joseph Hyde
• Major Joseph Egolf
• Major Nelson Penfield
• Major William H. H. Brainard

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 125th 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 all who served in the regiment.

To view the complete roster, visit the 125th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 19, 27, 29, 36, 40, 46
• 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