187th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 187th New York Infantry (One Year’s Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Buffalo, New York, during the final year of the Civil War. Composed primarily of recruits from Erie, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus counties, the regiment served in the Union Army, primarily in the Army of the Potomac’s Fifth Corps. Many of its men were drawn from the 65th National Guard of New York State. The regiment was active in the closing campaigns of the war, including the siege of Petersburg and the Appomattox Campaign.

Organization & Service

The 187th New York Infantry (One Year’s Service) began organizing at Buffalo in the autumn of 1864. Only nine companies were raised: Companies A, C, D, E, G, and I were mustered into U.S. service between October 8 and 13, 1864. Company H joined in November 1864, Company B in February 1865, and Company F in May 1865. The regiment left New York as a battalion of six companies on October 15, 1864, and proceeded to the front, joining the Army of the Potomac before Petersburg, Virginia.

Upon arrival, the 187th was assigned to Gregory’s Brigade, Griffin’s Division, Fifth Army Corps. The regiment participated in the Battle of Hatcher’s Run in October 1864, suffering 77 killed, wounded, and missing. In December, it took part in the Hicksford Raid. The regiment was again engaged at Hatcher’s Run in February 1865, with a loss of 8 wounded and missing. During the final Appomattox Campaign, the 187th fought at White Oak Ridge, Five Forks, the fall of Petersburg, and Appomattox, with 5 men wounded in these actions. The regiment was mustered out and honorably discharged under Colonel Daniel Myers at Washington, D.C., on July 1, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Siege of Petersburg (October 1864 – April 1865)
• Battle of Hatcher’s Run (October 1864)
• Hicksford Raid (December 1864)
• Battle of Hatcher’s Run (February 1865)
• White Oak Ridge (March–April 1865)
• Battle of Five Forks (April 1865)
• Fall of Petersburg (April 1865)
• Appomattox Campaign (March–April 1865)

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded: 15 enlisted men
• Died of disease and other causes: 32 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 47 enlisted men

Field Officers & Commanders

• Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Myers
• Major Conrad Seeber

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 187th New York Infantry (One Year’s Service), including names and service details of officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. For a complete listing, please visit the regiment’s roster page.

View the 187th New York Infantry (One Year’s Service) Regimental Roster.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. XLII, 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, Vol. 2