100th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 100th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Buffalo, New York, and mustered into United States service between September 1861 and January 1862 for a three-year term. The regiment served in the Union Army, primarily in the Eastern Theater. Known as the 2nd Regiment, Eagle Brigade, or the 3rd Buffalo Regiment, it was recognized by Col. Fox as one of the “three hundred fighting regiments” of the Civil War due to its extensive combat record and heavy losses.

The 100th New York Infantry participated in major campaigns and battles, including the Peninsular Campaign, the assaults on Fort Wagner, operations around Charleston Harbor, the Bermuda Hundred Campaign, the Siege of Petersburg, and the final Appomattox Campaign. The regiment was consolidated with the 148th and 158th New York Infantry in July 1865 and mustered out at Richmond, Virginia, on August 28, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 100th New York Infantry was principally recruited in Buffalo and mustered into service from September 1861 to January 1862. The regiment departed New York for Washington, D.C., on March 10, 1862, with a strength of 960 men. Upon arrival, it was assigned to Naglee’s (1st) Brigade, Casey’s (2nd) Division, 4th Corps, Army of the Potomac.

The regiment participated in the Peninsular Campaign, suffering severe losses at the Battle of Fair Oaks, where Colonel James M. Brown was killed. Colonel George F. B. Dandy, of the regular army, subsequently took command. After the campaign, the regiment was stationed at Gloucester Point and Yorktown for several months before moving with its brigade to North Carolina.

In the spring of 1863, the 100th New York Infantry took part in operations around Charleston Harbor, including the assault on Fort Wagner in July. The regiment displayed notable gallantry during this action, incurring heavy casualties. It continued to serve in the siege operations at Fort Wagner and remained active in the Charleston area until December 1863, attached to Terry’s Division, 10th Corps.

In May 1864, as part of Plaisted’s Brigade, Foster’s (1st) Division, 10th Corps, the regiment joined the Army of the James under General Butler. It participated in the Bermuda Hundred Campaign, engaging at Port Walthall Junction, Chester Station, Swift Creek, Proctor’s Creek, Drewry’s Bluff, and Bermuda Hundred, again suffering significant losses. The regiment was subsequently engaged at Petersburg, Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains, Fort Harrison, Darbytown Road, and Fair Oaks, with frequent casualties during the siege operations.

Following the discontinuation of the 10th Corps in December 1864, the regiment became part of the 3rd (Plaisted’s) Brigade, 1st (Terry’s) Division, 24th Corps. It was actively engaged in the assault on Fort Gregg during the fall of Petersburg on April 2, 1865, and participated in the pursuit of Lee’s army, being present at Appomattox. Upon expiration of its original term, non-veterans were mustered out, while veterans and recruits continued in service. In July 1865, the regiment was consolidated with the 148th and 158th New York Infantry and finally mustered out at Richmond, Virginia, on August 28, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Peninsular Campaign (1862), including Battle of Fair Oaks
• Operations at Gloucester Point and Yorktown
• Operations in North Carolina
• Charleston Harbor operations (1863), including Assault and Siege of Fort Wagner
• Bermuda Hundred Campaign (May 1864): Port Walthall Junction, Chester Station, Swift Creek, Proctor’s Creek, Drewry’s Bluff, Bermuda Hundred
• Siege of Petersburg
• Battles of Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains, Fort Harrison, Darbytown Road, Fair Oaks
• Assault on Fort Gregg (April 2, 1865)
• Pursuit of Lee and presence at Appomattox

Casualties

• Killed and mortally wounded: 12 officers, 182 enlisted men
• Died of disease and other causes: 1 officer, 131 enlisted men
• Died in Confederate prisons: 71 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 397
• Total enrollment: 1,491

Casualty figures are based on official reports and regimental histories.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel James M. Brown (killed at Fair Oaks)
• Colonel George F. B. Dandy
• Lieutenant Colonel Phineas Stanton
• Lieutenant Colonel Calvin N. Otis
• Lieutenant Colonel Louis S. Payne
• Lieutenant Colonel Warren Granger
• Major Calvin N. Otis
• Major Daniel D. Nash
• Major James H. Dandy (killed at Fort Gregg)
• Major George H. Stowitz
• Major Frederick A. Sawyer

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 100th 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 100th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts
• 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
• Contemporary wartime reports and regimental documents