118th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 118th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), also known as the “Adirondack Regiment,” was an infantry regiment organized in Plattsburg, New York. It was mustered into United States service for three years between August 18 and 20, 1862. The regiment was composed primarily of men from Clinton, Essex, and Warren counties. Serving in the Union Army, the 118th New York participated in operations in the Eastern Theater, including the defenses of Washington, D.C., and major campaigns in Virginia.

The regiment was noted for its strong composition and active service in several significant engagements, including the campaigns against Richmond and Petersburg. It was mustered out at Richmond, Virginia, on June 13, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 118th New York Infantry was organized at Plattsburg, New York, and mustered in for three years’ service from August 18 to 20, 1862. The regiment left the state on September 3, 1862, with a strength of 1,040 men. Initially, it was assigned to the defenses of Washington, D.C., where it remained until April 1863.

In April 1863, the regiment was ordered to Suffolk, Virginia, serving in the reserve brigade of the 7th Corps. It was present at Antioch Church and Baker’s Cross-Roads, and later served in Wistar’s Brigade, 4th Corps, at Franklin. The regiment was engaged at South Anna Bridge as part of the provisional brigade, 7th Corps, suffering 11 casualties. Following this, the 118th performed garrison and guard duty at Yorktown, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Newport News, Virginia, for several months.

As part of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 18th Corps, the regiment participated in the campaign against Richmond with General Butler’s Army of the James. It was engaged at Port Walthall Junction, Chester Station, Swift Creek, Proctor’s Creek, and Drewry’s Bluff, where it sustained significant losses. The regiment fought at Cold Harbor in June 1864, and was involved in the initial assaults on Petersburg. It later saw heavy action at Fort Harrison and during the advance on Richmond by the Darbytown Road in October 1864. In early 1865, the 118th was attached to the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 24th Corps, and was present at the fall of Petersburg on April 2, 1865. The regiment was on the skirmish line when Richmond was occupied and claimed to be the first organized Federal infantry to enter the city. The 118th New York Infantry was mustered out at Richmond on June 13, 1865, under Colonel George F. Nichols.

Research This Regiment Further

If you’d like to explore this unit’s history in more depth, regimental histories and Civil War reference works offer valuable detail.

Engagements & Campaigns

  • Defenses of Washington, D.C. (1862–1863)
  • Antioch Church
  • Baker’s Cross-Roads
  • Franklin, Virginia
  • South Anna Bridge
  • Garrison and guard duty at Yorktown, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News
  • Port Walthall Junction
  • Chester Station
  • Swift Creek
  • Proctor’s Creek
  • Drewry’s Bluff
  • Cold Harbor (June 1864)
  • First assaults on Petersburg
  • Fort Harrison
  • Darbytown Road (October 1864)
  • Fall of Petersburg (April 2, 1865)
  • Occupation of Richmond (April 1865)

Casualties

  • Killed and mortally wounded: 6 officers, 98 enlisted men
  • Died of disease and other causes: 188 enlisted men
  • Total deaths: 292
  • Died in Confederate prisons: 45

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources regarding total wounded and missing.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel Samuel T. Richards
  • Colonel Oliver Keese, Jr.
  • Colonel George F. Nichols
  • Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Keese, Jr.
  • Lieutenant Colonel George F. Nichols
  • Lieutenant Colonel Levi S. Dominey
  • Major George F. Nichols
  • Major Charles E. Pruyn
  • Major Levi S. Dominey
  • Major John S. Cunningham

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 118th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details where available.

To view the complete roster, visit the 118th 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 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
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