144th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 144th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Delhi, Delaware County, New York, and mustered into United States service on September 27, 1862. Serving in the Union Army, the regiment participated in operations across the Eastern and Southern theaters, including the defenses of Washington, the Department of Virginia, and the Department of the South. The regiment is notable for its service during the siege of Suffolk, the operations against Charleston, and actions in Florida and South Carolina.

The 144th New York was primarily composed of men from Delaware County. It mustered out at Hilton Head, South Carolina, on June 25, 1865, after nearly three years of active service.

Organization & Service

The 144th New York Infantry was organized at Delhi, New York, and mustered in on September 27, 1862, with an initial strength of 956 men. The regiment departed New York on October 11, 1862, and was stationed in the defenses of Washington, D.C., at Upton’s Hill, Cloud’s Mills, and Vienna until April 1863.

In April 1863, the regiment was assigned to the Department of Virginia, serving in Gurney’s Division and participating in the defense of Suffolk during Longstreet’s siege. In May, it joined Gordon’s Division, 7th Corps, at West Point and took part in demonstrations against Richmond. By July 1863, the regiment was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 1st (Schimmelfennig’s) Division, 11th Corps. On August 7, the division was detached and ordered to Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.

During the fall and winter of 1863, the 144th New York was engaged at Folly and Morris Islands, participating in the siege of Fort Wagner and the bombardment of Fort Sumter and Charleston. In February 1864, as part of the 1st Brigade, Ames’ Division, 10th Corps, the regiment saw action at Seabrook and John’s Islands, South Carolina. Subsequently, it was ordered to Florida, where it was involved in raiding expeditions and the action at Camp Finnegan.

The regiment returned to Hilton Head in June 1864 and was active at John’s Island in July, suffering casualties. Later, as part of Potter’s Brigade, Coast Division, it participated in cooperative movements with Sherman’s forces, fighting at Honey Hill and Deveaux Neck. The regiment sustained significant losses at Honey Hill and Deveaux Neck. In February 1865, attached to the 3rd Separate Brigade, District of Hilton Head, it was engaged at James Island, again incurring casualties.

By the fall of 1864, the regiment’s numbers had been reduced to between 300 and 400 men due to battle and disease. It was subsequently reinforced by one-year recruits from Delaware County. The 144th New York Infantry was mustered out at Hilton Head, South Carolina, on June 25, 1865, under the command of Colonel James Lewis.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Defenses of Washington, D.C. (Upton’s Hill, Cloud’s Mills, Vienna), late 1862–April 1863
• Defense of Suffolk, Virginia (Longstreet’s siege), April–May 1863
• Demonstration against Richmond, May 1863
• Operations at Folly Island and Morris Island, South Carolina, summer–winter 1863
• Siege of Fort Wagner, July–September 1863
• Bombardment of Fort Sumter and Charleston, 1863
• Seabrook and John’s Islands, South Carolina, February 1864
• Florida operations, including Camp Finnegan, spring 1864
• John’s Island, South Carolina, July 1864
• Honey Hill, South Carolina, November 30, 1864
• Deveaux Neck, South Carolina, December 1864
• James Island, South Carolina, February 1865

Casualties

• Killed and mortally wounded: 40 officers and men
• Died of disease and other causes: 4 officers and 174 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 218

Casualty figures are based on official reports. At Honey Hill, the regiment lost 108 killed, wounded, and missing; at Deveaux Neck, 37; and at James Island, 44. Lieutenant James W. Mack was the only commissioned officer killed in action, falling at Honey Hill.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Robert S. Hughston
• Colonel David E. Gregory
• Colonel William J. Slidell
• Colonel James Lewis
• Lieutenant Colonel David Gregory
• Lieutenant Colonel James Lewis
• Lieutenant Colonel Calvin A. Rice
• Major Robert T. Johnson
• Major Calvin A. Rice
• Major William Plaskett
• Lieutenant James W. Mack (killed at Honey Hill)

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 144th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides details on enlistment, rank, and service record for each member of the regiment.

To view the complete roster, visit the 144th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (see operations in Virginia, South Carolina, and Florida)
• New York State Adjutant General’s Reports
• 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