176th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 176th New York Infantry (Ironsides) served as an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized in Brooklyn, New York, the regiment was initially intended for three years’ service but was filled with nine months’ recruits before being brought to full strength with three years’ men. The unit was mustered into service between November 20, 1862, and January 10, 1863, and served primarily in the Department of the Gulf, the Shenandoah Valley, and later in Georgia and North Carolina. The regiment was notable for its service in the defenses of New Orleans, participation in the Red River and Shenandoah Valley campaigns, and its heavy losses at Brashear City and in the Valley campaigns.

Organization & Service

Recruitment for the 176th New York Infantry began in September 1862, with the intention of forming a three-year regiment from the first seven senatorial districts of New York. Initial recruiting efforts under Col. Charles Gould and Col. Mark Hoyt were unsuccessful in filling the regiment, so the organization was completed in December 1862 at Brooklyn by enlisting nine months’ men. The first nine companies were mustered into U.S. service from November 20 to December 22, 1862, and Company K joined on January 10, 1863. The regiment was organized under the direction of the Young Men’s Christian Association of New York City.

The 176th left New York on January 11, 1863, under Col. Charles C. Nott and sailed to New Orleans. Upon arrival, it was stationed in the city’s defenses and attached to Augur’s Division, 19th Army Corps. During the siege of Port Hudson, the regiment formed part of the New Orleans garrison and participated in repelling Confederate advances under General Taylor. In June 1863, detachments engaged in skirmishes at Pattersonville, La Fourche Crossing, Thibodeaux, Fort Buchanan, Bayou Boeuff, and Brashear City. At La Fourche Crossing, the regiment, commanded by Major Morgan, distinguished itself, but at Fort Buchanan and Brashear City, over 400 men were captured, resulting in a total loss of 464 killed, wounded, and missing in these actions.

After the discharge of the nine months’ men in November 1863, the regiment was replenished with drafted men, substitutes, and volunteers enlisted for three years. In spring 1864, the 176th was attached to the 3rd Brigade, Grover’s Division, 19th Corps, and participated in the Red River Campaign, including actions at Mansura and Simsport. In July 1864, the regiment moved with the 19th Corps to Virginia and fought in Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign, including the battles of Berryville, Opequon (Winchester), Fisher’s Hill, and Cedar Creek. The regiment captured four enemy guns at Fisher’s Hill.

After remaining in the Shenandoah Valley until January 1865, the 176th was ordered to Savannah, Georgia, with Grover’s Division. In March, it moved to North Carolina, temporarily attached to the 10th Corps, and participated in the final Carolinas Campaign, culminating in the surrender of General Johnston. The regiment returned to Georgia and was mustered out at Savannah on April 27, 1866.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Defenses of New Orleans (1863)
• Siege of Port Hudson (1863, garrison duty)
• Pattersonville, Louisiana (June 1863)
• La Fourche Crossing (June 1863)
• Thibodeaux (June 1863)
• Fort Buchanan (June 1863)
• Bayou Boeuff (June 1863)
• Brashear City (June 1863)
• Red River Campaign (Spring 1864)
• Mansura (May 1864)
• Simsport (May 1864)
• Shenandoah Valley Campaign (July–October 1864)
• Berryville (September 1864)
• Opequon (Winchester) (September 19, 1864)
• Fisher’s Hill (September 22, 1864)
• Cedar Creek (October 19, 1864)
• Carolinas Campaign (March–April 1865)

Casualties

• Killed and mortally wounded: 2 officers, 31 enlisted men
• Died of wounds and other causes: 4 officers, 177 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 181 (including 1 officer and 17 men who died in enemy hands)
• Losses at Fort Buchanan and Brashear City: 464 killed, wounded, and captured or missing (June 1863 actions)
• Loss at Opequon: 47 killed, wounded, and missing
• Loss at Cedar Creek: 53 killed, wounded, and missing

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Charles C. Nott
• Colonel Ambrose Stevens
• Colonel Charles Lewis
• Lieutenant Colonel A. J. H. Duganne
• Lieutenant Colonel Charles Lewis
• Lieutenant Colonel William W. Badger
• Major Morgan Morgan, Jr.
• Major Charles Lewis
• Major James Entwistle

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of officers and enlisted men who served in the 176th New York Infantry is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster includes details on enlistment, rank, and service record for each member of the regiment.

To view the full roster, visit the 176th New York Infantry 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, Vol. 2 (Federal Publishing Company, 1908)