1st New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 1st New York Infantry (Two Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in New York City and mustered into United States service at Staten Island between April 22–24 and May 3–7, 1861. Serving with the Union Army, it was the first New York regiment accepted for a two-year enlistment. The regiment operated primarily in the Eastern Theater and participated in several significant campaigns and battles during its service.

The 1st New York Infantry was notable for its early involvement in the war, including action at Big Bethel and the defense of Newport News during the attack by the CSS Merrimac. The regiment was mustered out at New York on May 25, 1863, after two years of active service.

Organization & Service

The 1st New York Infantry (Two Years’ Service) was recruited in New York City and mustered into federal service at Staten Island in late April and early May 1861. It was the first regiment from New York to be accepted for a two-year term. On May 26, 1861, the regiment departed for Fortress Monroe, Virginia, where it was stationed until June 10. On that date, it moved to support Union forces at the Battle of Big Bethel, where it saw its first combat.

After returning to camp, the regiment was ordered to Newport News on July 3, 1861, and remained there until June 3, 1862. During the winter of 1861–62, the regiment received over 370 recruits. A significant event during this period was the attack on the fortifications at Newport News by the Confederate ironclad CSS Merrimac on March 8, 1862.

On June 6, 1862, the 1st New York was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 3rd Corps, Army of the Potomac. The regiment participated in the Seven Days’ Battles, including actions at Peach Orchard and Glendale, suffering heavy losses at Glendale. It was also engaged at Malvern Hill, after which it was transferred to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 3rd Corps, and ordered to Yorktown. The regiment then moved to Manassas and fought in the Second Battle of Manassas (August 30, 1862), and at Chantilly.

Following these engagements, the 1st New York Infantry was stationed in the defenses of Washington, D.C., until October 11, 1862. It was then attached to the 3rd Brigade and moved through Edwards’ Ferry, Middleburg, and finally to Falmouth, Virginia, where it remained until participating in the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862. The regiment spent the winter at Falmouth and was engaged at Chancellorsville on May 2–3, 1863. The regiment was mustered out of service at New York on May 25, 1863.

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

  • Battle of Big Bethel (June 10, 1861)
  • Defense of Newport News (including attack by CSS Merrimac, March 8, 1862)
  • Seven Days’ Battles (including Peach Orchard and Glendale, June–July 1862)
  • Battle of Malvern Hill (July 1, 1862)
  • Second Battle of Manassas (August 30, 1862)
  • Battle of Chantilly (September 1, 1862)
  • Battle of Fredericksburg (December 11–15, 1862)
  • Battle of Chancellorsville (May 2–3, 1863)

Casualties

During its two years of service, the 1st New York Infantry lost a total of 113 men: 79 killed or mortally wounded in action, and 34 died from other causes. The regiment suffered particularly heavy losses at the Battle of Glendale, with 230 men killed, wounded, or missing in that engagement alone.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel William H. Allen
  • Colonel Garret Dyckman
  • Colonel J. Frederick Pierson
  • Lieutenant Colonel Garrett Dyckman
  • Lieutenant Colonel J. Frederick Pierson
  • Lieutenant Colonel Francis A. Leland
  • Major James M. Turner
  • Major J. Frederick Pierson
  • Major James P. Clancy
  • Major Joseph Seamans

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 1st New York Infantry (Two Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides detailed information for genealogists and researchers interested in individual soldiers who served in the unit.

To view the complete roster, visit the 1st New York Infantry (Two Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. II, V, XI, XII
  • 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)
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