175th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 175th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at New York City and mustered into United States service between September and October 1862. The regiment was recruited from several locations including New York City, Albany, Castleton, Troy, Glens Falls, Knox, and Watervliet. Serving in the Union Army, the 175th New York operated primarily in the Department of the Gulf, the Shenandoah Valley, and later in Georgia and North Carolina. It was known as the 5th regiment of the Corcoran Brigade and participated in several major campaigns and battles during its service.

Organization & Service

The 175th New York Infantry was organized at New York City on November 19, 1862, under the command of Colonel Michael K. Bryan. Recruitment was led by Colonels Bryan, Mayer, and Minthorn Tompkins. The regiment mustered in for three years’ service from September to October 1862. On November 21, 1862, the unit departed New York for Suffolk, Virginia, and soon after sailed for Louisiana.

Initially attached to the 3rd (Gooding’s) Brigade, Emory’s Division, 19th Army Corps, the regiment saw its first combat at Fort Bisland, Louisiana, where it suffered its first casualties. It was engaged at Franklin, Louisiana, in May 1863, and participated in the siege of Port Hudson from May 30 to July 8, 1863, sustaining significant losses, including the death of Colonel Bryan during the assault of June 14. In October 1863, the regiment was consolidated into three companies (A, B, and C) due to losses, and in October 1864, Companies D and E were added, forming a battalion of five companies.

Throughout the remainder of 1863, the regiment performed post and garrison duty in Louisiana, with occasional skirmishes. In the spring of 1864, as part of the 3rd Brigade, Grover’s Division, 19th Corps, the regiment participated in the Red River Campaign, engaging at Alexandria, Mansura, and multiple times at Atchafalaya. In July 1864, the battalion moved north with the 19th Corps and took part in Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign, fighting at Opequan, Fisher’s Hill, and Cedar Creek.

After the Shenandoah Campaign, the regiment moved to Savannah, Georgia, with Grover’s Division. In March 1865, under General Birge, it was ordered to North Carolina, temporarily attached to the 10th Corps, 1st Division, and participated in the advance on Wilmington. The regiment was present at Bennett’s House during the surrender of General Johnston. Companies D and E mustered out at Savannah on June 30, 1865, while the remaining companies mustered out at Greensboro, Georgia, on November 27, 1865, under Major Charles McCarthy. Colonel John A. Foster was brevetted brigadier-general in 1865 for his service.

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

  • Fort Bisland, Louisiana
  • Skirmish at Franklin, Louisiana (May 1863)
  • Siege of Port Hudson (May 30 – July 8, 1863)
  • Red River Campaign (Spring 1864)
  • Alexandria, Louisiana
  • Mansura, Louisiana
  • Atchafalaya (May–June 1864)
  • Opequan (Third Winchester), Virginia
  • Fisher’s Hill, Virginia
  • Cedar Creek, Virginia
  • Advance on Wilmington, North Carolina (March 1865)
  • Present at Bennett’s House (Surrender of Gen. Johnston, April 1865)

Casualties

  • Killed or mortally wounded: 1 officer, 13 enlisted men
  • Died of disease and other causes: 4 officers, 117 enlisted men
  • Total deaths: 135

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel Michael K. Bryan (killed at Port Hudson, June 14, 1863)
  • Colonel John A. Foster (brevet brigadier-general, 1865)
  • Lieutenant Colonel John A. Foster
  • Lieutenant Colonel John Gray
  • Major John Gray
  • Major Charles McCarthy

Regimental Roster

The full roster of soldiers who served in the 175th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster includes names, ranks, and service details for members of the regiment throughout its term of service.

To view the complete roster, visit the 175th 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, XLVI
  • 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
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