68th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 68th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), also known as the 2nd German Rifles, was an infantry regiment organized in New York City and mustered into United States service on August 1 and 20, 1861. The regiment was composed primarily of men from New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. It served in the Union Army, participating in the Eastern and Western Theaters of the American Civil War. The 68th New York was notable for its large German-American composition and for its distinguished actions at battles such as Gettysburg.

Organization & Service

The 68th New York Infantry was mustered in at New York City for a three-year term in August 1861. Shortly after organization, the regiment departed for Washington, D.C., on August 24, 1861, and was initially attached to Blenker’s Brigade. By October, it became part of Steinwehr’s Brigade, Blenker’s Division, and served in the defenses around Washington until spring 1862.

In the spring of 1862, the regiment was ordered to the Mountain Department, joining General Fremont’s forces. It saw its first losses at Warrenton Junction and was engaged at Cross Keys. On June 26, 1862, the 68th was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 1st Corps, and participated in the Virginia campaign under General Pope, suffering a total loss of 92 men. In September, it was attached to the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 11th Corps, and was stationed near Centerville during the Maryland campaign. The regiment moved to Fredericksburg in December 1862 but did not participate in the battle, instead going into winter quarters near Stafford, Virginia.

In April 1863, the 68th was transferred to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, and fought at Chancellorsville, where it lost 54 men. At Gettysburg, the regiment suffered 138 casualties and was commended for its defense of Cemetery Hill. In July 1863, it was reassigned to the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, and ordered west, participating in the battle of Wauhatchie, Tennessee, and the Chattanooga campaign. During the winter of 1863–64, many men reenlisted, and in April 1864, veterans from the 8th and 29th New York Infantry were consolidated into the regiment, which continued as a veteran unit.

Throughout the summer of 1864, the 68th New York served in the Districts of Nashville, Tennessee, and Allatoona, Georgia. In November 1864, it was ordered to Savannah, Georgia. The original members who did not reenlist were mustered out at the expiration of their term, and the remaining men were mustered out at Fort Pulaski, Georgia, on November 30, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Defenses of Washington, D.C. (1861–1862)
• Mountain Department operations (Spring 1862)
• Warrenton Junction
• Cross Keys
• Virginia Campaign under General Pope (including Second Bull Run, 1862)
• Maryland Campaign (stationed near Centerville, 1862)
• Fredericksburg (not engaged, December 1862)
• Chancellorsville
• Gettysburg
• Wauhatchie, Tennessee
• Chattanooga Campaign
• District of Nashville, Tennessee (1864)
• District of Allatoona, Georgia (1864)
• Ordered to Savannah, Georgia (November 1864)

Casualties

According to official records, the 68th New York Infantry lost 46 men killed or mortally wounded in action, and 75 men died from other causes during its service. Total losses: 121. If figures differ in other sources, these numbers are based on the most widely cited official reports.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Robert J. Betge
• Colonel Gotthils De B. D. Inemais
• Colonel Felix Prince Salm
• Lieutenant Colonel John H. Kleesisch
• Lieutenant Colonel Carl Vogel
• Lieutenant Colonel Albert Von Steinhausen
• Major Albert Von Steinhausen
• Major Carl Von Vedell
• Major Robert Rother
• Major Adolph Haack
• Major Arnold Kummer

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 68th 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 full roster, visit the 68th 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 the Cumberland, Army of the Tennessee)
• 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