133rd New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 133rd New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), also known as the 2nd “Metropolitan Guard,” was an infantry regiment organized in New York City under the auspices of the Metropolitan Police. The regiment was mustered into United States service for three years at Staten Island on September 24, 1862, and served with the Union Army, primarily in the Department of the Gulf and later in the Shenandoah Valley and defenses of Washington, D.C. The unit is notable for its participation in the siege of Port Hudson and the Red River Campaign.

Organization & Service

The 133rd New York Infantry was recruited mainly in New York City and organized at Staten Island. The regiment mustered in for three years’ service on September 24, 1862, under Colonel Leonard D. H. Currie. It departed for Washington, D.C., on October 8, 1862, and soon after joined Banks’ expedition to New Orleans, Louisiana.

Upon arrival in Louisiana, the regiment was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 3rd (Emory’s) Division, 19th Army Corps. Its first significant engagement was at Fort Bisland in April 1863, where it suffered 25 casualties. The regiment was also present at Opelousas and Alexandria, Louisiana, without loss. During the siege of Port Hudson (May–July 1863), the 133rd New York played a conspicuous role, particularly in the assaults of May 27 and June 14, sustaining heavy losses. After the surrender of Port Hudson, the regiment spent about nine months on post and garrison duty, with occasional expeditions and skirmishes, including actions at Vermillion and Carrion Crow Bayous in October 1863.

From late 1863 until March 1864, the regiment served in the defenses of New Orleans. On March 15, 1864, it joined the 1st Brigade, 2nd (Grover’s) Division, 19th Corps, and participated in the Red River Campaign, notably assisting in the construction of the dam at Alexandria, which allowed the Union fleet to pass the rapids. In July 1864, the regiment moved with the 19th Corps to Washington, D.C., and took part in the actions at Fort Stevens and Snicker’s Ferry, Virginia, without loss. Early in 1865, it was attached to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Army of the Shenandoah, and after April served in the defenses of Washington. The regiment was mustered out on June 6, 1865, under Colonel Currie.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Fort Bisland (April 1863)
• Opelousas and Alexandria (Spring 1863)
• Siege of Port Hudson (May–July 1863), including assaults of May 27 and June 14
• Vermillion and Carrion Crow Bayous (October 1863)
• Red River Campaign (Spring 1864)
• Fort Stevens, Washington, D.C. (July 1864)
• Snicker’s Ferry, Virginia (July 1864)

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded: 2 officers, 43 enlisted men
• Died of disease and other causes: 1 officer, 78 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 3 officers, 121 enlisted men

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Leonard D. H. Currie
• Lieutenant Colonel James A. P. Hopkins
• Lieutenant Colonel Anthony J. Allaire
• Major Abraham S. Relay
• Major John H. Allcott
• Major Anthony J. Allaire
• Major George Washburn

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 133rd 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 complete roster, visit the 133rd New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XV, XXVI, XXVII, XXXIV, XXXIX
• 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