Overview
The 171st New York Infantry (Infantry) was an incomplete regiment of the Union Army during the American Civil War. Raised in New York State as an infantry regiment for Federal service, it began organizing in 1862 but did not complete its formation. The regiment was intended to serve in the Union Army’s Eastern Theater but was never mustered in as a complete unit.
This regiment’s number remains officially vacant, as it was discontinued before seeing active service.
Organization & Service
Efforts to organize the 171st New York Infantry began in 1862. Recruitment and initial organization took place in New York State. However, the regiment failed to reach the required strength for muster into Federal service. On November 19, 1862, the men who had enlisted for the 171st New York Infantry were transferred to the 175th New York Infantry. The incomplete organization was then discontinued, and the 171st was never formally mustered into service nor assigned to any brigade, division, or corps.
No further service or field operations were recorded for this regiment, as it ceased to exist as an independent unit after the transfer of its personnel.
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
The 171st New York Infantry did not participate in any campaigns or battles, as it was never fully organized or mustered into service.
Casualties
No casualty figures are recorded for the 171st New York Infantry, as the regiment was discontinued before entering active service.
Field Officers & Commanders
Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.
Regimental Roster
The full roster for the 171st New York Infantry is not available, as the regiment was never fully organized. Men who enlisted for this regiment were transferred to the 175th New York Infantry. For any available information on personnel, please consult the roster page.
See the 171st New York Infantry Regimental Roster for further details.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
- New York State Adjutant General’s Reports
- Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
- The Union Army, Federal Publishing Company, 1908, Vol. 2