62nd New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 62nd New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), known as “Anderson’s Zouaves,” was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was composed mainly of men from New York City, Brooklyn, Albany, Troy, and Saltersville, New Jersey. It was organized at Saltersville and mustered into United States service on June 30 and July 1, 1861, for a three-year term. The 62nd New York served primarily in the Eastern Theater and participated in many of the major campaigns and battles of the Army of the Potomac and the Army of the Shenandoah.

Organization & Service

The 62nd New York Infantry was organized at Saltersville, New Jersey, and mustered in for three years’ service on June 30 and July 1, 1861. The regiment departed for Washington, D.C., on August 21, 1861. In October 1861, it was assigned to Peck’s Brigade, Buell’s Division, Army of the Potomac. By March 1862, this became the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Corps, Army of the Potomac. The regiment participated in the Peninsula Campaign, including the operations before Yorktown, the Battle of Williamsburg, and the Battle of Fair Oaks.

During the Seven Days’ Battles, the 62nd New York was heavily engaged and suffered significant losses. The regiment arrived at Falmouth in time to take part in the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862, after which it wintered across the river. In October 1862, the regiment was transferred to the 6th Corps and attached to the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, with which it served through the Chancellorsville Campaign, suffering its greatest losses during the assault on Marye’s Heights.

The regiment fought at Gettysburg in July 1863, then moved with the 6th Corps through Boonsboro, Funkstown, and Rappahannock Station, and participated in the Mine Run Campaign. After wintering near Brandy Station, the original members who did not reenlist were mustered out at the expiration of their service. Nine companies remained and, in March 1864, were assigned to the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 6th Corps. The 62nd New York served through the Wilderness Campaign, the siege of Petersburg, and suffered severe losses at the Wilderness, the first assault on Petersburg, and the Weldon Railroad in June 1864.

During Early’s raid in July 1864, the 6th Corps was ordered to Washington, D.C., and subsequently participated in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, including actions at Charlestown, Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, and Cedar Creek. The regiment returned to Petersburg in December 1864, participated in the final assault on the city, and fought its last battle at Sailor’s Creek on April 6, 1865. The 62nd New York was stationed at Fort Schuyler, New York Harbor, for a month before being mustered out on August 30, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Peninsula Campaign (including Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks)
• Seven Days’ Battles
• Fredericksburg
• Chancellorsville (including Marye’s Heights)
• Gettysburg
• Boonsboro, Funkstown, Rappahannock Station
• Mine Run Campaign
• Wilderness Campaign
• Siege of Petersburg
• Weldon Railroad
• Defense of Washington (July 1864)
• Shenandoah Valley Campaign (Charlestown, Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, Cedar Creek)
• Final Assault on Petersburg
• Sailor’s Creek

Casualties

During its service, the 62nd New York Infantry lost 98 men by death from wounds and 84 from other causes. Total losses are based on compiled regimental records; figures may vary slightly in different sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel J. Lafayette Ryker
• Colonel David J. Nevin
• Colonel Theodore B. Hamilton
• Lieutenant Colonel David J. Nevin
• Lieutenant Colonel Oscar V. Dayton
• Lieutenant Colonel Theodore B. Hamilton
• Lieutenant Colonel William H. Baker
• Major Oscar V. Dayton
• Major Wilson Hubbell
• Major William H. Baker

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 62nd 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 when available.

To view the complete roster, visit the 62nd 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, 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, Vol. 2 (Federal Publishing Company, 1908)