112th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 112th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Chautauqua County, New York, during the American Civil War. Known as the “Chautauqua Regiment,” it was mustered into United States service at Jamestown on September 11, 1862, for a term of three years. The regiment served in the Union Army, participating in operations across the Eastern and Southern theaters, and was noted for its active engagement in numerous campaigns and battles.

The 112th New York Infantry was recognized as one of Fox’s “three hundred fighting regiments” due to its extensive combat record and significant losses. Its service included actions in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida, culminating in participation in the final campaigns of the Carolinas. The regiment mustered out at Raleigh, North Carolina, on June 13, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 112th New York Infantry was raised in Chautauqua County, New York, with companies assembling at Jamestown. The regiment was mustered into federal service on September 11, 1862, under Colonel Jeremiah C. Drake. The following day, the unit departed New York for Fortress Monroe, Virginia, and soon moved to Suffolk, Virginia.

Early in its service, the regiment was engaged at Franklin, Zuni, and Deserted House, suffering its first casualties at Deserted House. In the spring of 1863, the 112th participated in the siege of Suffolk, where disease caused significant losses. In June 1863, as part of Foster’s Brigade, 7th Corps, the regiment took part in the Peninsula Campaign, enduring difficult conditions due to heat and forced marches.

In August 1863, the regiment was ordered to Folly Island, South Carolina, and participated in operations around Charleston Harbor, including the siege of Fort Wagner and bombardments of Fort Sumter. In February 1864, the 112th sailed for Florida, encamping at Jacksonville until April, when it was ordered to Yorktown, Virginia. There, it joined General Butler’s Army of the James and was assigned to Drake’s (2nd) Brigade, Ames’ (3rd) Division, 10th Corps.

During May 1864, the regiment was engaged in the campaign against Richmond, landing at Bermuda Hundred and fighting at Port Walthall Junction, Chester Station, Swift Creek, Proctor’s Creek, Drewry’s Bluff, and Bermuda Hundred. Lieutenant Colonel Elial F. Carpenter was mortally wounded at Drewry’s Bluff. The regiment suffered heavy losses at Cold Harbor in June 1864 and participated in the initial assaults on Petersburg, as well as the Battle of the Crater.

Later in 1864, the 112th fought at Fort Harrison and along the Darbytown Road, sustaining further casualties. In December, the regiment sailed with Ames’ Division to North Carolina, where it took part in the assault on Fort Fisher, losing Colonel John F. Smith in the attack. The regiment continued to serve in the Carolinas, engaging at the Cape Fear intrenchments, Fort Anderson, Wilmington, Cox’s Bridge, Faisson’s, and Bennett’s House. The 112th New York Infantry was mustered out at Raleigh, North Carolina, on June 13, 1865, under Colonel Ephraim A. Ludwick.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Franklin, Virginia
• Zuni, Virginia
• Deserted House, Virginia
• Siege of Suffolk, Virginia (Spring 1863)
• Peninsula Campaign (June 1863)
• Operations around Charleston Harbor, South Carolina (including Siege of Fort Wagner and bombardments of Fort Sumter, 1863)
• Jacksonville, Florida (February–April 1864)
• Campaign against Richmond, Virginia (May 1864): Port Walthall Junction, Chester Station, Swift Creek, Proctor’s Creek, Drewry’s Bluff, Bermuda Hundred
• Cold Harbor, Virginia (June 1864)
• First assaults on Petersburg, Virginia
• Battle of the Crater (Mine Explosion), Petersburg
• Fort Harrison, Virginia
• Darbytown Road, Virginia
• Assault on Fort Fisher, North Carolina (December 1864–January 1865)
• Cape Fear Intrenchments, North Carolina
• Fort Anderson, North Carolina
• Wilmington, North Carolina
• Cox’s Bridge, North Carolina
• Faisson’s, North Carolina
• Bennett’s House, North Carolina

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded: 9 officers, 119 enlisted men
• Died of disease and other causes: 3 officers, 196 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 327
• Total killed and wounded: 541
• Died in Confederate prisons: 22

Casualty figures are based on official reports and regimental histories.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Jeremiah C. Drake
• Colonel John F. Smith (killed at Fort Fisher)
• Colonel Ephraim A. Ludwick
• Lieutenant Colonel Frederick A. Redington
• Lieutenant Colonel Elial F. Carpenter (mortally wounded at Drewry’s Bluff)
• Lieutenant Colonel William H. Chaddock
• Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Dunham
• Major Elial F. Carpenter
• Major John F. Smith
• Major William H. Chaddock
• Major Ephraim A. Ludwick
• Major Joseph S. Matthews

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 112th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and additional service details valuable for genealogical and historical research.

To view the full roster, visit the 112th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (Army of the James, 10th Corps, operations in Virginia and North Carolina)
• New York State Adjutant General’s Report, Annual Reports for 1862–1865 (112th Infantry)
• Dyer, Frederick H. “A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion” (1908)
• Fox, William F. “Regimental Losses in the American Civil War” (1889)
• “The Union Army,” Federal Publishing Company, Vol. 2 (1908)