| If this website has been useful to you, please consider
making a Donation.
Your support will help keep this website free for everyone, and will allow us to do
more research. Thank you for your support! |
51st New
York Infantry
Online Books:
51st New York
Infantry Soldier
Roster - Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of New York For the Year
1893, Volume 25 View the Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Fifty-first New York Infantry. — Cols., Edward Ferrero, Robert B. Potter,
Charles W. LeGendre, Gilbert McKibben, John G. Wright; Lieut.- Cols., Robert B. Potter,
Charles W. LeGendre, R. Charlton Mitchell, Samuel H. Benjamin, John G. Wright, Thomas B.
Marsh; Majs., Robert B. Potter, Charles W. LeGendre, R. Charlton Mitchell, John G. Wright,
Thomas B. Marsh, George W. Whitman. The 51st regiment contained six companies of the
Shepard Rifles, two companies of the Scott Rifles and two companies of the Union Rifles
and was organized in New York city, where it was mustered into the service of the United
States July 27 to Oct. 23, 1861, for a three years' term. It left the state for Washington
on Oct. 31, with 850 members, was assigned to the 2nd brigade, 2nd division, Gen.
Burnside's North Carolina expedition, and embarked at Annapolis Jan. 6, 1862, for Roanoke
island. The first active service of the regiment was at Roanoke island, where it fought
with courage and steadiness. The battle of New Berne followed in March, in which the 51st
suffered the most severely of any regiment engaged — 71 men being killed or wounded.
Until July 6, 1862, the command was quartered at New Berne, when it was ordered to return
to Virginia, and upon arriving at Newport News was assigned to the 2nd brigade, 2nd
division, 9th corps. It participated in Gen. Pope's campaign in August and September; was
present at Kelly's ford; was closely engaged at Sulphur springs, the second Bull Run and
Chantilly, with a loss in the campaign of 89 in killed, wounded and missing. The regiment
was withdrawn to Washington, but soon took the field for the Maryland campaign; was active
at South mountain and Antietam, losing in the latter battle 87 killed or wounded in a most
brilliant charge across the stone bridge, which alone would have made the fighting
qualities of the regiment renowned. In November, the 51st was engaged at Jefferson, Va.,
and Warrenton springs and late in the month moved to Fredericksburg, where it took part in
the battle in December with a loss of 73 members. After sharing the hardships of
Burnside's "Mud March," the regiment established winter quarters near White Oak
Church, but was soon transferred to the Department of the West and with the 9th corps
arrived at Vicksburg in June. It participated in the siege operations and the pursuit to
Jackson, Miss.; then proceeded to Tennessee, where it participated in the battle of Blue
springs; was active at Campbell's station, and assisted in the defense of Knoxville during
the siege. In Dec, 1863, a large proportion of the command reenlisted and received veteran
furlough, rejoining the regiment with new recruits at Knoxville. In Feb., 1864. the 9th
corps was ordered to join the Army of the Potomac at Brandy Station, where it arrived May
1. In the Wilderness campaign the loss of the regiment was 79 during the first two days,
including Col. LeGendre, who was wounded in the eye. The command distinguished itself for
heroism in the terrible month which followed; then proceeded to Petersburg; was active at
the mine explosion, the Weldon railroad, Poplar Spring Church, Hatcher's run, at Fort
Stedman, and in the final assault on April 2, 1865. The original members not reenlisted
were mustered out during the autumn of 1864 and the veterans at Alexandria, July 25, 1865.
The total enrollment of the regiment was 3,050 and it received in June, 1865, the veterans
and recruits of the 109th N. Y. Its total loss in all its engagements was 925, while 202
died from wounds and 385 from accident, disease or imprisonment. At Peebles' farm, Va.,
the regiment was surrounded and 332 members captured. Col. Fox in "Regimental
Losses" says of the 51st, "Few regiments saw a more active service and none left
a more honorable record." |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 2
|
Whats New
Bibliography
About Us
|