79th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 79th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), known as the “Highlanders,” was an infantry regiment composed primarily of Scottish immigrants and descendants from New York. Mustered into United States service at New York City on May 29, 1861, for a three-year term, the regiment served with the Union Army in the Eastern and Western Theaters. The 79th New York was notable for its ethnic composition, distinctive Highland dress in early service, and its reputation for discipline and fighting spirit. The regiment is recognized by Fox as one of the “three hundred fighting regiments” of the Civil War.

Organization & Service

The 79th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at New York City and mustered in on May 29, 1861. The regiment departed for Washington, D.C., on June 2, 1861, and was initially stationed in the defenses of the capital. Assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Army of Northeastern Virginia, the regiment fought in its first major engagement at the First Battle of Bull Run, where it suffered heavy losses and its colonel, James Cameron, was mortally wounded.

Following Bull Run, the regiment was posted near Lewinsville, Virginia, and engaged in several skirmishes, including at Bailey’s Cross Roads. On October 21, 1861, the 79th was attached to the 2nd Brigade of Sherman’s expeditionary corps and sailed to Hilton Head, South Carolina, serving in the coastal operations until June 1862. The regiment participated in the attack on Secessionville, suffering significant casualties.

In July 1862, the 79th returned to Virginia and took part in General Pope’s campaign, including actions near Manassas and at Chantilly, where General Isaac I. Stevens, a former colonel of the regiment, was killed. The regiment was engaged at South Mountain and Antietam, and present but not heavily engaged at Fredericksburg. It endured Burnside’s “Mud March” and subsequently moved west with the IX Corps to participate in the Vicksburg Campaign and the pursuit to Jackson, Mississippi.

Later, the regiment fought at Blue Springs and Campbell’s Station, Tennessee, and contributed to the defense of Knoxville. After returning to Virginia, Companies A and B were transferred to the XVIII Corps in May 1864. The regiment participated in the opening battles of the Wilderness Campaign and was mustered out at the end of its term on May 31, 1864. Veterans and recruits continued service as provost guard at corps headquarters, and in autumn 1864, the battalion was reinforced with new companies. This battalion served before Petersburg until the city’s fall and was mustered out at Alexandria, Virginia, on July 14, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• First Battle of Bull Run (July 1861)
• Skirmishes near Lewinsville and Bailey’s Cross Roads (September 1861)
• Expedition to Hilton Head, South Carolina (October 1861)
• Battle of Secessionville (June 1862)
• Pope’s Campaign in Northern Virginia (August 1862)
• Battle of Chantilly (September 1862)
• Battle of South Mountain (September 1862)
• Battle of Antietam (September 1862)
• Battle of Fredericksburg (December 1862)
• Burnside’s “Mud March” (January 1863)
• Vicksburg Campaign (June–July 1863)
• Pursuit to Jackson, Mississippi (July 1863)
• Battle of Blue Springs (October 1863)
• Battle of Campbell’s Station (November 1863)
• Siege of Knoxville (November–December 1863)
• Wilderness Campaign (May 1864)
• Siege of Petersburg (1864–1865)

Casualties

The 79th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) had a total enrollment of 1,385 men, exclusive of the battalion organized in 1864. During its service, the regiment lost 116 men killed or mortally wounded and 83 who died from other causes. These figures are based on official reports and regimental records.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel James Cameron (killed at First Bull Run)
• Colonel Isaac I. Stevens
• Colonel Addison Farnsworth
• Colonel David Morrison
• Lieutenant Colonel David Morrison
• Lieutenant Colonel John Morse
• Lieutenant Colonel Henry G. Heffron
• Major Francis L. Hagadorn
• Major William St. George Elliott
• Major John More
• Major William Simpson
• Major Andrew D. Baird

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 79th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and additional service details valuable for genealogical and historical research.

To view the complete roster, visit the 79th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 2, 5, 9, 10, 27, 28, 29, 33, 36, 39, 40
• 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, Volume 2