94th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 94th New York Infantry (Infantry) was an infantry regiment organized at Sacket’s Harbor, New York, and mustered into United States service on March 10, 1862. Known as the “Bell Rifles,” the regiment was primarily recruited from Jefferson County. The 94th New York served in the Union Army, participating in major campaigns in the Eastern Theater. The regiment is noted for its heavy losses at Gettysburg and the Weldon Railroad, and for its consolidation with other New York units during its service.

Organization & Service

The 94th New York Infantry was organized at Sacket’s Harbor and mustered in on March 10, 1862. The regiment departed New York for Washington, D.C., on March 18, 1862, and was initially assigned to the defenses of Washington under General Wadsworth. In May 1862, it was attached to the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Department of the Rappahannock, and subsequently to the 3rd Corps, Army of Virginia. The regiment participated in General Pope’s Virginia campaign, suffering significant casualties.

On September 12, 1862, the 94th New York was assigned to the 1st Corps, Army of the Potomac, and saw action at South Mountain, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. The winter of 1862–1863 was spent in camp near Falmouth, Virginia. In March 1863, the regiment was consolidated into a battalion of five companies, which were joined by five companies from the 105th New York Infantry. The unit served briefly as provost guard before returning to the 1st Corps in June 1863. At Gettysburg, the regiment suffered its heaviest losses.

Following Gettysburg, the 94th participated in the Mine Run campaign and was ordered to Annapolis in December 1863, where it became part of the 8th Corps. During the winter, many members reenlisted, and the regiment continued as a veteran organization. In the spring of 1864, the 94th served with the 5th Corps in the Wilderness campaign, engaging at Cold Harbor, Totopotomoy, and White Oak Swamp. The regiment moved with the Army of the Potomac to Petersburg and was heavily engaged at the Weldon Railroad.

On August 10, 1864, the regiment was joined by veterans and recruits from the 97th New York Infantry. The 94th remained on duty before Petersburg until the end of the siege, participated in the battle of Five Forks, and was present at the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. The regiment was mustered out at Washington, D.C., on July 18, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Defenses of Washington (Spring 1862)
• Pope’s Virginia Campaign (Summer 1862)
• South Mountain (September 1862)
• Antietam (September 1862)
• Fredericksburg (December 1862)
• Gettysburg (July 1863)
• Mine Run Campaign (November–December 1863)
• Wilderness Campaign (May–June 1864)
• Cold Harbor (June 1864)
• Totopotomoy (May 1864)
• White Oak Swamp (June 1864)
• Petersburg Siege (June 1864–April 1865)
• Weldon Railroad (August 1864)
• Five Forks (April 1865)
• Appomattox Campaign (April 1865)

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded: 116
• Died of disease or other causes: 138 (including 37 who died in imprisonment)
• Total losses in key engagements: 147 at Pope’s Campaign, 245 at Gettysburg, 178 at Weldon Railroad

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Henry K. Viele
• Colonel Adrian R. Root
• Lieutenant Colonel Colvin Littlefield
• Lieutenant Colonel John A. Kress
• Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Moffatt
• Major William R. Hanford
• Major John A. Kress
• Major D. C. Tomlinson
• Major Samuel S. Moffatt
• Major John A. McMahon
• Major Henry P. Fish (killed in action at Five Forks)
• Major Byron Parsons

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 94th New York Infantry, 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 the Civil War.

To view the complete roster, visit the 94th New York Infantry Regimental Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 12, 19, 27, 36, 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