71st New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 71st New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in New York State for Union service during the American Civil War. Composed primarily of companies from New York City, Olean, Great Valley, Colchester, Kingston (NY), Newark and Orange (NJ), and Philadelphia (PA), the regiment was mustered into United States service at Camp Scott, Staten Island, between June 20 and July 18, 1861. The unit served in the Army of the Potomac, participating in major campaigns in the Eastern Theater.

The 71st New York Infantry was also known as the 2nd Regiment of the Excelsior Brigade. The regiment was active in numerous significant battles, including Fair Oaks, Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and the Overland Campaign. It was mustered out of service at New York City on July 30, 1864, with veterans and recruits transferred to the 120th New York Infantry.

Organization & Service

The 71st New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Camp Scott, Staten Island, and mustered into federal service between June 20 and July 18, 1861. The regiment departed New York for Washington, D.C., on July 23, 1861. Initially, it served in the vicinity of Washington and was attached to Sickles’ Brigade, Hooker’s Division. The regiment performed guard duty along the Potomac River before joining the Army of the Potomac’s 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 3rd Corps for the Peninsula Campaign.

The 71st participated in trench and picket duty before Yorktown and was present at the Battle of Fair Oaks. During the Seven Days’ Battles, the regiment sustained significant casualties. In August 1862, it left the Peninsula to support General Pope at Manassas, engaging at Kettle Run, Groveton, and the Second Battle of Bull Run, where it suffered heavy losses. During the Maryland Campaign, the regiment was stationed near Washington, D.C., and later marched to Falmouth, Virginia, arriving in time for the Battle of Fredericksburg, though it did not occupy an exposed position.

After wintering at Falmouth, the regiment participated in the Chancellorsville Campaign in May 1863. It then marched to Gettysburg, where it was heavily engaged. The 71st also saw action at Wapping Heights, Kelly’s Ford, and during the Mine Run Campaign. The winter of 1863–64 was spent near Brandy Station, Virginia. In the spring of 1864, the regiment joined the Overland Campaign as part of the 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 2nd Corps, and was later transferred to the 4th Brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Corps on May 13, 1864. The regiment fought at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomoy, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg. The 71st New York Infantry was mustered out at New York City on July 30, 1864, with remaining veterans and recruits transferred to the 120th New York Infantry.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Peninsula Campaign (Yorktown, Fair Oaks, Seven Days’ Battles)
• Second Bull Run Campaign (Kettle Run, Groveton, Second Bull Run)
• Fredericksburg
• Chancellorsville Campaign
• Gettysburg Campaign
• Wapping Heights
• Kelly’s Ford
• Mine Run Campaign
• Overland Campaign (Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomoy, Cold Harbor)
• Petersburg (June–July 1864)

Casualties

During its service, the 71st New York Infantry lost 94 men by death from wounds and 74 from other causes, for a total of 168 deaths. Detailed breakdowns by battle or cause may vary in different reports.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel George B. Hall
• Colonel Henry L. Potter
• Lieutenant Colonel Henry L. Potter
• Lieutenant Colonel Thomas J. Leigh
• Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Rafferty
• Major Thomas Rafferty
• Major Peter McDermott
• Major John Taler

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 71st New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the regiment during its term of service.

To view the complete roster, visit the 71st New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 5, 9, 11, 12, 19, 21, 25, 27, 29, 33, 36, 40
• 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)