131st New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 131st New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in New York City and mustered into United States service on September 6, 1862. Raised under the auspices of the Metropolitan Police and known as the 1st Regiment, Metropolitan Guard, the unit served in the Union Army, primarily in the Department of the Gulf and later in the Shenandoah Valley and North Carolina. The regiment is notable for its extensive service across multiple theaters and its significant losses during key engagements, particularly at Port Hudson and in the Shenandoah Valley.

The regiment drew many of its officers from the 7th New York Militia and was composed largely of men recruited in New York City. Over the course of its service, the 131st New York Infantry traveled over 10,000 miles and participated in several major campaigns before mustering out in Savannah, Georgia, on July 26, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 131st New York Infantry was organized in New York City and mustered in for three years’ service on September 6, 1862. The regiment departed New York on September 14, 1862, proceeding first to Annapolis, Maryland, and soon after sailed for Louisiana as part of the Banks expedition. Upon arrival in New Orleans, the regiment was assigned to the 1st Brigade, Grover’s Division, Department of the Gulf. With the formation of the 19th Army Corps, it became part of the 1st Brigade, 4th (Grover’s) Division, 19th Corps.

The regiment sustained its first casualties at Irish Bend in April 1863 and was engaged at Vermillion Bayou later that month. In May 1863, the 131st participated in the investment and siege of Port Hudson, suffering significant losses during the assaults of May 27 and June 14. Following the surrender of Port Hudson, the regiment performed post and garrison duty, as well as participating in expeditions and reconnaissance operations. It saw further action at Bayou La Fourche, Vermillion Bayou (October 1863), and Carrion Crow Bayou.

In the summer of 1864, the regiment left the Department of the Gulf and joined General Butler’s Army of the James at Bermuda Hundred, Virginia. Shortly thereafter, it joined General Sheridan’s Army of the Shenandoah and took part in the Valley Campaigns, including the battles of Opequon (Winchester), Fisher’s Hill, and Cedar Creek. The regiment later moved to North Carolina, where it was attached to the 10th Corps, and in May 1865 was ordered to Augusta, Georgia. In June, it moved to Savannah, Georgia, where it was mustered out of service on July 26, 1865, under Colonel Nicholas W. Day.

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

  • Irish Bend (April 1863)
  • Vermillion Bayou (April and October 1863)
  • Siege of Port Hudson (May–July 1863)
  • Bayou La Fourche
  • Carrion Crow Bayou
  • Bermuda Hundred
  • Opequon (Winchester)
  • Fisher’s Hill
  • Cedar Creek
  • Post and garrison duty in Louisiana, North Carolina, and Georgia

Casualties

According to official records, the 131st New York Infantry lost by death:

  • 2 officers and 82 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded
  • 3 officers and 107 enlisted men died of disease and other causes
  • Total deaths: 194

At Port Hudson, the regiment lost 21 killed, 88 wounded, and 10 missing. At Bayou La Fourche, it lost 55 men killed, wounded, and missing. At the battle of Opequon, casualties were 10 killed and 64 wounded; at Cedar Creek, 35 killed and wounded.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel Charles S. Turnbull
  • Colonel Nicholas W. Day
  • Lieutenant Colonel Charles C. Nott
  • Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas W. Day
  • Lieutenant Colonel W. M. Rexford
  • Major Nicholas W. Day
  • Major W. M. Rexford
  • Major August C. Tate
  • Major Albert Stearns

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 131st New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and research purposes. The roster provides details on each member’s rank, company, and service record.

To view the complete roster, visit the 131st New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XV, XXVI, XXXIV, XXXVII, XXXIX
  • 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
Scroll to Top