Overview
The 46th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment composed primarily of German immigrants, recruited in New York City. The regiment was mustered into United States service between July 29 and September 16, 1861, for a three-year term. Serving with the Union Army, the 46th New York participated in major campaigns across the Eastern and Western Theaters, including operations in South Carolina, Virginia, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The regiment was often referred to as the “Fremont Rifle Regiment.”
The 46th New York Infantry was notable for its early involvement in coastal operations, its participation in the siege of Fort Pulaski, and its later service with the IX Corps in some of the war’s most significant battles. The regiment mustered out of service in Washington, D.C., on July 28, 1865.
Organization & Service
The 46th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized in New York City and mustered into federal service from July 29 to September 16, 1861. The regiment left New York for Washington, D.C., on September 16, 1861, with approximately 800 men. Initially assigned to the 1st Brigade, Sherman’s Division, the regiment was quartered at Annapolis, Maryland, before being ordered to the Department of the South in early November 1861.
After a difficult voyage, the regiment arrived at Hilton Head, South Carolina, on November 7, 1861, and was stationed there until December. It then moved to Tybee Island, Georgia, where it remained through the winter and participated in the siege of Fort Pulaski in April 1862. In June 1862, the regiment was sent to James Island, South Carolina, engaging in combat there on June 8 and at Secessionville on June 16. In July, the regiment was ordered north to Newport News, Virginia, and assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, IX Corps.
The 46th New York took part in the battles of Sulphur Springs, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, and Antietam. In September 1862, the regiment was reassigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, IX Corps, and in November returned to the 2nd Brigade. The regiment was held in reserve at Fredericksburg and spent the winter at Falmouth, Virginia.
In June 1863, the IX Corps joined General Grant at Vicksburg, Mississippi, where the 46th participated in siege operations and subsequent actions at Jackson, Mississippi, in July. The regiment was transferred to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division in June, and returned to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division in August. After the fall of Vicksburg, the corps was ordered to Knoxville, Tennessee, engaging at Blue Springs and Campbell’s Station, and enduring the siege of Knoxville. During the winter, many members reenlisted and received veteran furloughs.
Upon the IX Corps’ return to Cincinnati in April 1864, original members not reenlisted were mustered out in New York on April 12, 1864. The veteran regiment continued service with the 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, V Corps, Army of the Potomac, from May 30 to June 11, 1864, and then with the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, IX Corps, until September. It was subsequently transferred to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, IX Corps. The regiment was engaged at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomoy, and Cold Harbor, and suffered heavy losses during the assaults on Petersburg in June and at the mine explosion in July 1864. The 46th New York also participated in actions at the Weldon Railroad, Poplar Spring Church, Hatcher’s Run, Fort Stedman, and the final assault on Petersburg on April 2, 1865. The regiment was mustered out in Washington, D.C., on July 28, 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
- Siege of Fort Pulaski (April 1862)
- James Island (June 8, 1862)
- Secessionville (June 16, 1862)
- Sulphur Springs
- Second Bull Run
- Chantilly
- South Mountain
- Antietam
- Fredericksburg (in reserve)
- Vicksburg (siege operations, June–July 1863)
- Jackson, Mississippi (July 1863)
- Blue Springs
- Campbell’s Station
- Siege of Knoxville
- The Wilderness
- Spotsylvania
- North Anna
- Totopotomoy
- Cold Harbor
- Assaults on Petersburg (June 16–19, 1864)
- Mine Explosion, Petersburg (July 1864)
- Weldon Railroad
- Poplar Spring Church
- Hatcher’s Run
- Fort Stedman
- Final Assault on Petersburg (April 2, 1865)
Casualties
The 46th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) suffered a total loss of 327 men killed, wounded, or missing during its term of service. Of these, 109 members died from wounds received in action, and 89 died from other causes. Reported figures are based on regimental and official records.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel Rudolph Rosa
- Colonel Joseph Gerhardt
- Colonel George W. Travers
- Lieutenant Colonel Germain Metternich
- Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Gerhardt
- Lieutenant Colonel George W. Travers
- Lieutenant Colonel Ambrose Stevens
- Lieutenant Colonel Adolph Becker
- Major Joseph Gerhardt
- Major Julius Parcus
- Major Theodore Kohle
- Major Ambrose Stevens
- Major Peter French
Regimental Roster
The complete roster of officers and enlisted men who served in the 46th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster includes details on enlistment, rank, and service records.
To view the full roster, visit the 46th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (Army of the Potomac, Department of the South, IX Corps operations)
- 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, Volume 2