Overview
The 17th New York Veteran Infantry (Veteran infantry) was a Union regiment organized in New York during the American Civil War. This unit was formed in October 1863, primarily from reenlisted veterans of the original 17th New York Infantry, along with recruits from the 9th and 38th New York regiments and the “Union Sharpshooters.” The regiment served in the Western and Southern theaters, participating in several major campaigns under General Sherman. It was mustered out in July 1865.
This unit is distinct from the 17th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service).
Organization & Service
The 17th New York Veteran Infantry was organized in New York City in October 1863. Many of its members were veterans of the original 17th New York Infantry who reenlisted after their previous term expired. Additional recruits came from the 9th and 38th New York regiments and the “Union Sharpshooters.” Upon organization, the regiment was ordered to join General Sherman’s army and was stationed at various locations during the autumn of 1863, including Louisville, Kentucky; Eastport, Tennessee; and Union City, Kentucky.
On January 24, 1864, the regiment reached Vicksburg, Mississippi, where it was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 16th Army Corps. The 17th participated in the Mississippi campaign, engaging in skirmishes at Decatur, Alabama, and Moulton. In April 1864, it was reassigned to the 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, 16th Corps. By August, during the Atlanta Campaign, the regiment was transferred to the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 14th Corps, and took part in the siege of Atlanta, the Hood campaign, and Sherman’s March to the Sea.
In 1865, the regiment was engaged at Rockingham, Fayetteville, Averasboro, Bentonville, Goldsboro, and Smithfield, North Carolina. On June 9, 1865, it was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 22nd Corps, and returned to Washington, D.C., with Sherman’s army. The regiment participated in the Grand Review and was mustered out at Alexandria, Virginia, on July 13, 1865.
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
- Mississippi Campaign (1864)
- Skirmishes at Decatur, Alabama, and Moulton
- Atlanta Campaign (including siege operations)
- Hood Campaign
- Sherman’s March to the Sea
- Rockingham, North Carolina
- Fayetteville, North Carolina
- Averasboro, North Carolina
- Bentonville, North Carolina
- Goldsboro, North Carolina
- Smithfield, North Carolina
Casualties
- Killed or mortally wounded: 56
- Died of accident, disease, or imprisonment: 65
- Total deaths during service: 121
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel William T.C. Grower
- Other field officers and key commanders are not fully detailed in available primary sources.
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 17th New York Veteran Infantry (Veteran infantry), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and service details valuable for genealogical research.
To view the complete roster, visit the 17th New York Veteran Infantry (Veteran infantry) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and pages relating to the 17th New York Veteran Infantry
- New York State Adjutant General’s Reports
- 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, Volume 2