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79th New
York Infantry
Online Books:
79th New York
Infantry Soldier
Roster - Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of New York For the Year
1893, Volume 29 View the Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Seventy-ninth New York Infantry. — Cols., J. C. Cameron, Isaac I. Stevens,
Addison Farnsworth, David Morrison; Lieut.-Cols., David Morrison, John Morse, Henry G. Heffron; Majs., Francis L. Hagadorn, William St. George Elliott, John More, William
Simpson, Andrew D. Baird. This regiment, called the Highlanders, was the original 79th
militia and was composed mainly of Scotchmen. It was mustered into the service of the
United States at New York city, for a three years' term, May 29, 1861, and left for
Washington on June 2. It was stationed in the vicinity of Washington until the movement of
the army to Manassas, when it was assigned to the 3d brigade, 1st division, Army of
Northeastern Virginia and participated in the battle of Bull Run. This, the first battle
of the regiment, was a severe initiation, for the command lost 198 in killed, wounded and
missing, Col. Cameron being mortally wounded. During September the regiment was posted
near Lewinsville, Va., where it several times encountered the enemy and was engaged in a
sharp skirmish at Bailey's cross-roads. On Oct. 21, the 79th was attached to the 2nd
brigade of Sherman's expeditionary corps, with which it embarked for Hilton Head, S. C,
and served in that vicinity until June, 1862. It shared in the gallant attack of Stevens'
division, at Secessionville, losing 110 out of 474 engaged. In July, the troops returned
to Virginia and shared in Gen. Pope's campaign, with the 3d brigade, 1st division, 9th
corps, losing 105 killed, wounded or missing during the engagements near Manassas. At
Chantilly, Gen. Stevens, former colonel of the 79th, was killed. The regiment was active
at South mountain, Antietam, and Fredericksburg, but was not closely engaged in the last
named battle. It shared the discomforts of Burnside's "Mud March," returned to
camp at Falmouth, and moved west with the 9th corps, to join Gen. Grant's forces before
Vicksburg. The regiment took part in the siege and in the pursuit to Jackson. It then
fought at Blue Springs, at Campbell's station, Tenn., and aided in the defense of
Knoxville. The men bore uncomplainingly the hardships of the return of the 9th corps
across the mountains to Virginia and in May, Cos. A and B were transferred to the 18th
corps. The regiment shared the opening battles of the Wilderness campaign and was mustered
out at the expiration of its term of enlistment. May 31, 1864. The veterans and recruits
served as provost guard at corps headquarters and were reinforced in the autumn of 1864 by
the addition of several companies of new recruits. This battalion served before Petersburg
until the fall of the city and was mustered out at Alexandria, Va., July 14, 1865. The
total enrollment of the regiment was 1,385, exclusive of the battalion organized in 1864,
and it lost during service 116 by death from wounds and 83 from other causes. Its record
is one of unfailing heroism and devotion to the cause for which it fought and it is ranked
by Col. Fox among the "three hundred fighting regiments." |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 2
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