60th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 60th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment from New York, organized at Ogdensburg and mustered into United States service for three years on October 30, 1861. Known as the 1st St. Lawrence Regiment, it served in the Union Army, participating in both the Eastern and Western Theaters of the American Civil War. The regiment is noted for its involvement in major campaigns and battles, including Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Chattanooga campaign, the Atlanta campaign, the March to the Sea, and the Carolinas campaign.

The 60th New York Infantry was attached to several different brigades and corps during its service, reflecting the shifting needs of the Union Army. It reenlisted as a veteran organization in late 1863 and continued in active service until the end of the war, mustering out at Alexandria, Virginia, on July 17, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 60th New York Infantry was organized at Ogdensburg, New York, and mustered into federal service for three years on October 30, 1861. The regiment departed for Washington, D.C., on November 4, 1861, and spent the winter stationed in that area. In the spring of 1862, it served in General Dix’s Railroad Brigade. By June 1862, the regiment was attached to the 2nd Brigade, Sigel’s Division, Department of the Shenandoah, and subsequently to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Corps, Army of Virginia.

The 60th New York participated in General Pope’s Virginia campaign during the summer of 1862. On September 12, 1862, it was assigned to the 12th Corps, with its brigade and division. At the Battle of Antietam, the regiment suffered casualties, including the death of Colonel Goodrich, who was commanding the brigade. In October 1862, the regiment was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 12th Corps, and was posted at Harper’s Ferry until December, after which it went into winter quarters at Stafford Court House, Virginia.

During the Chancellorsville campaign in May 1863, the 12th Corps led the advance, and the 60th New York sustained significant losses. At Gettysburg in July 1863, the regiment again suffered heavy casualties while defending Culp’s Hill. Afterward, the regiment moved south with the Army of the Potomac as far as the Rappahannock River before being ordered west. It arrived at Bridgeport, Alabama, in early October 1863 and participated in the Battle of Wauhatchie and the Chattanooga campaign.

In December 1863, a sufficient number of men reenlisted to continue the regiment’s service as a veteran organization. The 60th New York became part of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 20th Corps, and took part in the Atlanta campaign, the March to the Sea, and the campaign through the Carolinas. In June 1865, the regiment received the veterans and recruits of the 107th, 136th, and 150th New York Infantry by transfer and was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, Bartlett’s Division, 22nd Corps. The regiment served in this capacity until it was mustered out at Alexandria, Virginia, on July 17, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Defense of Washington, D.C. (Winter 1861–62)
• Department of the Shenandoah operations (Spring 1862)
• Pope’s Virginia Campaign (Summer 1862)
• Battle of Antietam (September 1862)
• Harper’s Ferry (Fall 1862)
• Chancellorsville Campaign (May 1863)
• Battle of Gettysburg (July 1863)
• Battle of Wauhatchie (October 1863)
• Chattanooga Campaign (Fall 1863)
• Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864)
• March to the Sea (November–December 1864)
• Campaign of the Carolinas (Early 1865)

Casualties

According to available sources, the 60th New York Infantry lost 67 men killed or mortally wounded in action, and 101 died from other causes during its service. Total losses: 168.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel William B. Hayward
• Colonel George S. Greene
• Colonel William B. Goodrich
• Colonel Abel Godard
• Colonel Winslow M. Thomas
• Colonel Lester S. Wilson
• Lieutenant Colonel William B. Goodrich
• Lieutenant Colonel Charles R. Brundage
• Lieutenant Colonel John C. O. Reddington
• Lieutenant Colonel Winslow M. Thomas
• Lieutenant Colonel Lester S. Wilson
• Lieutenant Colonel Abner B. Shipman
• Lieutenant Colonel Michael Nolan
• Major Charles R. Brundage
• Major Edward C. James
• Major Abel Godard
• Major Winslow M. Thomas
• Major Thomas Elliott
• Major Abner B. Shipman
• Major Michael Nolan

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 60th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details for members of the regiment throughout its term of service.

To view the full roster, visit the 60th 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, Army of Virginia, Army of the Cumberland, 12th and 20th Corps reports)
• 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)