96th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 96th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), also known as the Plattsburg Regiment, served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized primarily at Plattsburg, New York, the regiment was mustered into service on February 20 and March 7, 1862. It served in the Eastern Theater, participating in major campaigns and battles from the Peninsula Campaign through the final operations around Richmond and Petersburg.

The regiment was attached to several different brigades and corps throughout its service, including the 4th Corps, 18th Corps, and later the 24th Corps. The 96th New York Infantry was notable for its participation in key engagements such as Fair Oaks, the Seven Days’ Battles, Drewry’s Bluff, Cold Harbor, and the assault on Petersburg. It remained in service until February 1866, performing garrison and police duties in the Richmond area after the war’s end.

Organization & Service

The 96th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Plattsburg, New York, and mustered into United States service on February 20 and March 7, 1862. Shortly after organization, the regiment departed for Washington, D.C., on March 11, 1862. It was initially assigned to the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 4th Corps, Army of the Potomac, and participated in the Peninsula Campaign, including the siege of Yorktown and the battles of Williamsburg, Bottom’s Bridge, Savage Station, and Fair Oaks, where it suffered significant casualties.

Following the Seven Days’ Battles, the regiment was stationed at Camp Hamilton, Virginia, until November 1862, then ordered to Suffolk for a month. It was subsequently transferred to North Carolina, serving in the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 18th Corps at New Berne and participating in the Goldsboro expedition. During the battle of Kinston, Colonel Charles O. Gray was mortally wounded. In April 1864, the 18th Corps was transferred to the Army of the James, and the 96th became part of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division. The regiment was engaged at Swift Creek, Proctor’s Creek, Drewry’s Bluff, and Bermuda Hundred in May 1864, and joined the Army of the Potomac at the outset of the battle of Cold Harbor.

The 96th New York remained with the forces besieging Richmond until the war’s end, except for November 1864, when it was ordered to New York Harbor. Upon the formation of the 24th Corps, the regiment became part of the 3rd Division and continued as a veteran regiment. In December 1864, it received the veterans and recruits of the 92nd New York Infantry. The regiment was active at Fort Harrison, Fair Oaks, and participated in the assault on Petersburg on April 2, 1865. On June 13, 1865, the 118th and 184th New York Infantry were consolidated with the 96th. The regiment was mustered out at City Point, Virginia, on February 6, 1866, after performing police and garrison duties in the Richmond area.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Siege of Yorktown (April–May 1862)
• Battle of Williamsburg (May 5, 1862)
• Bottom’s Bridge
• Savage Station (June 29, 1862)
• Battle of Fair Oaks (May 31–June 1, 1862)
• Seven Days’ Battles (June–July 1862)
• Goldsboro Expedition (December 1862)
• Battle of Kinston (December 1862)
• Swift Creek (May 1864)
• Proctor’s Creek (May 1864)
• Drewry’s Bluff (May 1864)
• Bermuda Hundred (May 1864)
• Battle of Cold Harbor (June 1864)
• Siege of Petersburg and Richmond (1864–1865)
• Battle of Fort Harrison (September 29–30, 1864)
• Battle of Fair Oaks (October 1864)
• Assault on Petersburg Works (April 2, 1865)

Casualties

During its service, the 96th New York Infantry lost 70 men killed or mortally wounded in action, and 160 died from other causes, including 36 who died in prison. Total losses: 230.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel James Fairman
• Colonel Charles O. Gray (mortally wounded at Kinston)
• Colonel Edgar M. Cullen
• Colonel Stephen Moffitt
• Lieutenant Colonel Charles O. Gray
• Lieutenant Colonel Addis E. Woodhull
• Lieutenant Colonel Gerard L. McKenzie
• Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Moffitt
• Lieutenant Colonel George W. Hindes
• Major John E. Kelly
• Major Charles H. Burhaus
• Major Henry I. Pierce
• Major George W. Hindes
• Major Courtland G. Babcock

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 96th 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.

To view the full roster, visit the 96th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XI, XVIII, XXXVI, XL, XLII
• 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)