85th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 85th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in the southern part of New York State. The regiment was mustered into United States service at Elmira, New York, from August to December 1861, for a three-year term. Serving with the Union Army, the regiment participated in operations in the Eastern Theater, including the Peninsula Campaign, North Carolina operations, and the Carolina campaign of 1865. The 85th New York is notable for the heavy losses it suffered during the surrender at Plymouth, North Carolina, and the subsequent deaths of many members in Confederate prisons.

Organization & Service

The 85th New York Infantry was recruited in the southern counties of New York and mustered in at Elmira between August and December 1861. The regiment departed for Washington, D.C., on December 3, 1861, and was initially assigned to the defenses of Washington. In March 1862, the regiment joined the Army of the Potomac for the Peninsula Campaign, assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 4th Corps. The regiment participated in the siege of Yorktown, performed trench duty, and was engaged at the battles of Williamsburg and Fair Oaks, suffering significant casualties at the latter engagement.

After the Peninsula Campaign, the 85th New York was stationed at Newport News, Virginia, and later moved to Suffolk. In December 1862, it was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Department of North Carolina, and ordered to New Berne. The regiment took part in the Goldsboro expedition and, in January 1863, became part of the 1st Brigade, 4th Division, 18th Corps. During the summer of 1863, the regiment operated in the District of Albemarle, conducting expeditions and engaging in several minor actions.

In January 1864, the regiment was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 18th Corps, and ordered to Plymouth, North Carolina. In April 1864, the 85th New York was compelled to surrender to Confederate forces at Plymouth, resulting in the capture of nearly the entire regiment. Many members died in Confederate prisons. The surviving remnant, reinforced by transfers from the 16th New York Cavalry and reenlisted veterans, continued to serve as the 85th New York Infantry. The regiment was posted at Roanoke Island and participated in the Carolina campaign in March 1865. It performed garrison duty at New Berne, North Carolina, until mustered out on June 27, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Defenses of Washington, D.C. (Winter 1861–1862)
• Peninsula Campaign (Spring 1862)
• Siege of Yorktown
• Battle of Williamsburg
• Battle of Fair Oaks (Seven Pines)
• Goldsboro Expedition (December 1862)
• Expeditions in District of Albemarle (1863)
• Defense and Surrender of Plymouth, North Carolina (April 1864)
• Carolina Campaign (March 1865)

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded: 36
• Died of accident or disease: 103
• Died in Confederate prisons: 222
• Total known deaths: 361

Casualty figures are based on regimental and official reports. The loss of life in Southern prisons was particularly severe following the surrender at Plymouth.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Uriah L. Davis
• Colonel Robert B. Van Valkenburgh
• Colonel Jonathan S. Belknap
• Colonel Eurice Fardella
• Colonel William W. Clark
• Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan S. Belknap
• Lieutenant Colonel Abijah I. Wellman
• Lieutenant Colonel William W. Clark
• Lieutenant Colonel Seneca Allen
• Major Abijah J. Wellman
• Major Reuben V. King
• Major Walter Crandall
• Major Chauncey S. Aldrich

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 85th 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 members of the regiment throughout its term of service.

To view the complete roster, visit the 85th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes IX, XI, XVIII, XXXIII, XLVI
• 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, Vol. 2