161st New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 161st New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Elmira, New York, and mustered into United States service on October 27, 1862. Recruited primarily from Chemung, Steuben, Schuyler, Chenango, and Broome counties, the regiment served in the Union Army, primarily in the Department of the Gulf and later in the Western and Gulf theaters. The 161st New York Infantry is noted for its participation in the siege of Port Hudson, the Red River campaign, and the operations against Mobile, Alabama.

Organization & Service

The 161st New York Infantry was organized at Elmira, New York, under the command of Colonel Gabriel P. Harrower. The regiment was mustered in for three years’ service on October 27, 1862, and departed the state for the Department of the Gulf on December 4, 1862. Upon arrival, it was initially attached to Grover’s division and soon after assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 1st (Augur’s) Division, 19th Army Corps.

The regiment participated in actions at Clinton Plank Road and Plains Store, and was engaged in the siege of Port Hudson, Louisiana, where it sustained casualties. In July 1863, the 161st was heavily engaged at Donaldsonville, Louisiana, and later took part in the Sabine Pass expedition in Texas in September 1863. In the spring of 1864, as part of Emory’s (1st) Division, 19th Corps, the regiment joined the Red River campaign, fighting at Sabine Cross Roads, Pleasant Hill, Cane River Crossing, and Mansura. The regiment suffered significant losses at Sabine Cross Roads under the command of Lieutenant Colonel William B. Kinsey.

When the 19th Corps was ordered to Virginia in July 1864, the 161st New York remained in the Department of the Gulf, serving at Columbus, Kentucky; Memphis, Tennessee; and in western Mississippi. In the spring of 1865, as part of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 13th Corps, the regiment participated in General Canby’s operations against Fort Blakely, Spanish Fort, and Mobile, Alabama. Following these operations, the regiment was ordered to Florida. Those whose terms were expiring were mustered out at Fort Jefferson, Florida, on September 10, 1865, under Major Willis E. Craig, and the remaining men were consolidated into a battalion of two companies. The regiment was finally mustered out at Tallahassee, Florida, on November 12, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Clinton Plank Road (Louisiana)
• Plains Store (Louisiana)
• Siege of Port Hudson (Louisiana)
• Donaldsonville (Louisiana)
• Sabine Pass Expedition (Texas)
• Red River Campaign (Louisiana): Sabine Cross Roads, Pleasant Hill, Cane River Crossing, Mansura
• Operations against Fort Blakely, Spanish Fort, and Mobile (Alabama)

Casualties

During its service, the 161st New York Infantry lost by death:

• 1 officer (2nd Lieutenant Lewis E. Fitch, killed at Sabine Cross Roads) and 55 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded
• 250 enlisted men died of disease and other causes
• Total deaths: 306

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Gabriel P. Harrower
• Colonel Henry G. Harrower
• Lieutenant Colonel Marvin D. Stillwell
• Lieutenant Colonel William B. Kinsey (commanded at Sabine Cross Roads)
• Major Charles Straun
• Major Willis E. Craig (commanded at mustering out, September 1865)

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 161st New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details where available.

To view the complete roster, visit the 161st New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XV, XXVI, XXXIV, 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, Vol. 2 (Federal Publishing Company, 1908)