49th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 49th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Buffalo, New York, and mustered into United States service on September 18, 1861, for a three-year term. Known as the 2nd Buffalo Regiment, it drew companies from Chautauqua, Erie, Westchester, and Niagara counties. The regiment served in the Union Army, primarily in the Eastern Theater, and was attached to the 3rd Brigade, Smith’s Division, throughout its service. The 49th New York Infantry is noted for its participation in major campaigns and battles, and was recognized by Fox as one of the “three hundred fighting regiments” of the Civil War.

Organization & Service

The 49th New York Infantry was mustered in at Buffalo on September 18, 1861. Four companies were from Chautauqua County, four from Erie, one from Westchester, and one from Niagara County. The regiment departed Buffalo for Washington, D.C., on September 20, 1861, and was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, Smith’s Division. In March 1862, the brigade and division became part of the 4th Corps, and in May 1862, they were transferred to the 6th Corps, Army of the Potomac.

The regiment’s first engagement was at Lewinsville, Virginia, in October 1861. It encamped near Lewinsville until March 1862, then moved to Alexandria and participated in the Peninsula Campaign, performing trench duty at Yorktown and supporting actions at Lee’s Mill and Williamsburg. The 49th fought in the Seven Days’ Battles and camped at Harrison’s Landing until mid-August, when it withdrew to Alexandria. In September 1862, the regiment joined the Army of the Potomac in Maryland and fought at Crampton’s Gap, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. The winter of 1862–63 was spent near White Oak Church.

During the Chancellorsville Campaign in May 1863, the regiment suffered 35 casualties. In June, it marched to Gettysburg, where it supported artillery positions. After Gettysburg, the regiment participated in the pursuit of Confederate forces and reached Warrenton, Virginia, in July. Following a brief encampment, it moved to Culpeper and engaged at Rappahannock Station. Winter quarters were established at Brandy Station in December 1863, and 175 members reenlisted, allowing the regiment to continue as a veteran organization.

On May 4, 1864, the 49th New York broke camp for the Overland Campaign. It sustained heavy losses at the Wilderness (89 killed, wounded, or missing) and at Spotsylvania (121 casualties, including the death of Major Ellis). At Cold Harbor, the regiment lost 61 killed, 155 wounded, and 30 missing out of 384 engaged. The regiment then participated in the initial assault on Petersburg.

In July 1864, the 49th was ordered to Washington, D.C., arriving in time to help defend Fort Stevens, where Lieutenant Colonel Johnson was killed. The regiment continued service in the Shenandoah Valley, fighting at Charlestown, Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, and Cedar Creek, where Colonel Bidwell was killed. Non-reenlisted original members were mustered out in New York on October 18, 1864. The remaining veterans and recruits were consolidated into a battalion of five companies and returned to Petersburg for siege operations, participating in the final assault on April 2, 1865, when Colonel Holt was killed. The regiment was mustered out at Washington on June 27, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Lewinsville, Virginia (October 1861)
• Peninsula Campaign (Yorktown, Lee’s Mill, Williamsburg, Seven Days’ Battles)
• Maryland Campaign (Crampton’s Gap, Antietam)
• Fredericksburg
• Chancellorsville Campaign
• Gettysburg (in support of artillery)
• Rappahannock Station
• Wilderness Campaign
• Spotsylvania
• Cold Harbor
• First Assault on Petersburg
• Defense of Fort Stevens, Washington, D.C.
• Shenandoah Valley Campaign (Charlestown, Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, Cedar Creek)
• Siege of Petersburg
• Final Assault on Petersburg (April 2, 1865)

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded: 141
• Died of disease or other causes: 180
• Total enrollment: 1,312

Casualty figures are based on Fox and regimental records. The 49th New York Infantry was recognized among the “three hundred fighting regiments” for its high engagement and losses.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Daniel D. Bidwell (killed at Cedar Creek)
• Colonel Erastus D. Holt (killed at Petersburg, April 2, 1865)
• Colonel George H. Selkirk
• Lieutenant Colonel William C. Alberger
• Lieutenant Colonel George W. Johnson (killed at Fort Stevens)
• Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Cluney
• Major George W. Johnson
• Major William Ellis (killed at Spotsylvania)
• Major Andrew W. Brazee
• Major Solomon W. Russell, Jr.

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of officers and enlisted men who served in the 49th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster includes details on company assignments, enlistment dates, and service records.

To view the full roster, visit the 49th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes
• 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, Vol. 2