43rd New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 43rd New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), known as the “Albany Rifles,” was an infantry regiment from New York that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Albany, New York, the regiment was mustered into United States service in August and September 1861 for a three-year term. The unit drew its companies from Albany, New York City, Montgomery County, Washington County, and Otsego County. The 43rd New York served primarily with the Army of the Potomac and later the Army of the Shenandoah, participating in major campaigns and battles throughout the Eastern Theater.

The regiment was noted for its high level of engagement and was recognized by Col. Fox as one of the “three hundred fighting regiments” of the war. Over its service, the 43rd New York Infantry sustained significant casualties and played a role in many of the conflict’s pivotal actions.

Organization & Service

The 43rd New York Infantry was organized at Albany and mustered into service in August and September 1861. The regiment left New York for Washington, D.C., on September 21, 1861, with approximately 700 men. Upon arrival, it went into camp at Alexandria, Virginia, and was initially assigned to Hancock’s Brigade, Smith’s Division, 4th Corps, Army of the Potomac. In May 1862, the regiment was reassigned to the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 6th Corps, with which it would serve for the majority of its term.

The regiment participated in the Peninsula Campaign, including the siege of Yorktown, Lee’s Mill, Williamsburg, and the Seven Days’ Battles, suffering 71 casualties in that week. Due to losses, the regiment was consolidated into a battalion of five companies on July 18, 1862. It fought at Antietam and received five new companies at Sharpsburg, Maryland, in October 1862. The 43rd New York was engaged at Fredericksburg and spent the winter at Falmouth. In the Chancellorsville Campaign, as part of the Light Brigade, 6th Corps, it suffered heavy losses at Salem Church and Marye’s Heights. After severe losses at Deep Run in June 1863, the Light Brigade was broken up, and the 43rd was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 6th Corps.

The regiment arrived at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, and was engaged the following day. It participated in actions at Rappahannock Station, Locust Grove, Auburn, and Mine Run in the fall of 1863, then wintered at Brandy Station. In May 1864, the regiment entered the Overland Campaign, suffering its heaviest losses at the Wilderness, where it lost 198 men, including three field officers. Despite being reduced to 7 officers and 92 men, the 43rd continued to fight at Spotsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomoy, Cold Harbor, and the initial assault on Petersburg.

During Early’s raid, the regiment was sent to Washington and fought at Fort Stevens, where Col. Visscher and five enlisted men were killed. The 43rd then participated in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, including actions at Charlestown, Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, and Cedar Creek. Non-reenlisted original members mustered out at Albany on September 29, 1864; 15 officers and 400 veterans and recruits remained. The regiment returned to Petersburg in December 1864, participated in the final assault on April 2, 1865, fought at Sailor’s Creek, and was present at Appomattox Court House for Lee’s surrender. The 43rd New York was mustered out at Washington, D.C., on June 27, 1865, after participating in the Grand Review.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Siege of Yorktown (April–May 1862)
• Lee’s Mill
• Battle of Williamsburg
• Seven Days’ Battles
• Battle of Antietam
• Battle of Fredericksburg
• Chancellorsville Campaign (including Salem Church and Marye’s Heights)
• Deep Run Crossing
• Battle of Gettysburg
• Rappahannock Station
• Locust Grove
• Auburn
• Mine Run
• Wilderness Campaign
• Battle of the Wilderness
• Spotsylvania
• North Anna
• Totopotomoy
• Cold Harbor
• First Assault on Petersburg
• Fort Stevens (Washington, D.C.)
• Charlestown (WV)
• Opequon (Third Winchester)
• Fisher’s Hill
• Cedar Creek
• Final Assault on Petersburg (April 2, 1865)
• Sailor’s Creek
• Appomattox Court House (surrender of Lee’s Army)

Casualties

• Total enrollment: 2,327
• Killed, wounded, or captured: 692
• Died from accident or disease: 94
• Died in prison: 27

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources regarding the breakdown of killed, wounded, and missing.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Francis L. Vinton
• Colonel Benjamin F. Baker
• Colonel John Wilson
• Colonel Charles A. Milliken
• Lieutenant Colonel Charles H. Pierson
• Lieutenant Colonel John Fryer
• Lieutenant Colonel James D. Visscher
• Lieutenant Colonel Volkert V. Van Patten
• Lieutenant Colonel William H. Terrell
• Major William Wallace
• Major John L. Newman
• Major Samuel Davidson
• Major William Russell

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 43rd New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details where available.

To view the complete roster, visit the 43rd New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 5, 9, 11, 19, 21, 25, 27, 29, 36, 39, 40, 43
• 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