90th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 90th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), also known as the Hancock Guard, was an infantry regiment organized in New York City and its vicinity for the Union Army during the American Civil War. Mustered into service between September and December 1861, the regiment served primarily in the Department of the Gulf, the Army of the Shenandoah, and later in post-war occupation duties in Georgia. The 90th New York Infantry is notable for its service in both the Gulf and Shenandoah theaters and for its extended term, mustering out in February 1866.

Organization & Service

The 90th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at New York City and mustered into United States service from September to December 1861. The regiment embarked for Key West, Florida, on January 5, 1862, where it performed garrison duty for several months. In early 1863, the regiment was ordered to Louisiana and assigned to the 1st Brigade, 4th Division, 19th Army Corps. From New Orleans, the regiment moved to Port Hudson and participated actively in the siege operations there, suffering significant casualties.

Following Port Hudson, the 90th New York was engaged at Bayou La Fourche, incurring further losses. In March 1864, the regiment took part in the Red River Campaign. During August and September 1864, reenlisted men received veteran furloughs, while the remainder of the regiment served temporarily with the 160th New York Infantry. The veteran portion of the regiment was ordered to Virginia in September 1864, joining the Army of the Shenandoah and participating in the campaign against Confederate General Jubal Early, including the battles of Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, and Cedar Creek.

Original members not reenlisted were mustered out in December 1864. The regiment was then consolidated into a battalion of six companies, which, in June 1865, absorbed members of the 114th, 116th, and 133rd New York Infantry. The 90th New York served in the 1st Brigade of Dwight’s Division at Washington, D.C., from April to June 1865, then at Savannah, Georgia, from June to July, and later at Hawkinsville, Georgia. The regiment concluded its service at Savannah, where it was mustered out on February 9, 1866.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Garrison duty at Key West, Florida (1862–1863)
• Department of the Gulf operations (1863)
• Siege of Port Hudson (May–July 1863)
• Bayou La Fourche (July 1863)
• Red River Campaign (March–May 1864)
• Shenandoah Valley Campaign (September–October 1864)
• Battle of Opequon (Third Winchester, September 1864)
• Battle of Fisher’s Hill (September 1864)
• Battle of Cedar Creek (October 1864)
• Post-war duty in Washington, D.C., Savannah, and Hawkinsville, Georgia (1865–1866)

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded: 60
• Died of disease and other causes: 190
• Total losses: 250

Casualty figures are based on regimental and official reports.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Joseph S. Morgan
• Colonel Nelson Shaurman
• Lieutenant Colonel Lewis W. Tinelli
• Lieutenant Colonel Nelson Shaurman
• Lieutenant Colonel John C. Smart
• Lieutenant Colonel Henry De La Paturelle
• Major Joseph S. D. Agreda
• Major Nelson Shaurman
• Major John C. Swart
• Major Henry De La Paturelle

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 90th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 90th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XV, XXVI, XXXIV, XXXVII, XXXIX
• 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