136th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 136th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Portage, New York, and mustered into United States service for a three-year term on September 25–26, 1862. Composed primarily of men from Allegany, Livingston, and Wyoming counties, the regiment served in the Union Army’s Eastern and Western Theaters. Known as the “Ironclads,” the 136th New York participated in several major campaigns and battles, including Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Chattanooga-Ringgold campaign, the Atlanta campaign, Sherman’s March to the Sea, and the Carolinas campaign.

The regiment was attached to the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 11th Corps, and later to the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 20th Corps. It was mustered out of service on June 13, 1865, in Washington, D.C., after participating in the Grand Review of the Armies.

Organization & Service

The 136th New York Infantry was recruited in Allegany, Livingston, and Wyoming counties and assembled at Portage, New York. The regiment was mustered into Federal service for three years on September 25–26, 1862. Shortly after organization, the unit departed New York on October 3, 1862, and was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 2nd (Steinwehr’s) Division, 11th Corps, Army of the Potomac.

The regiment spent its first winter in Stafford, Virginia, and saw its initial combat at the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863, where it sustained minor losses. At Gettysburg, the 136th New York was heavily engaged on July 1–2, 1863, suffering significant casualties. In September 1863, the regiment moved with the 11th and 12th Corps to Tennessee, participating in the midnight battle of Wauhatchie in October and the Chattanooga-Ringgold campaign, including the action at Missionary Ridge.

With the consolidation of the 11th and 12th Corps into the 20th Corps in April 1864, the regiment became part of the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 20th Corps. It took part in the Atlanta campaign, fighting at Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca (where it suffered its heaviest losses), Cassville, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, and during the siege of Atlanta. After the city’s fall, the regiment remained in Atlanta until November 1864, then joined Sherman’s March to the Sea, participating in the siege of Savannah.

In early 1865, the 136th New York marched through the Carolinas, engaging at Fayetteville, Averasboro, Bentonville, Raleigh, and Bennett’s House. The regiment lost 45 men killed and wounded at Averasboro and Bentonville. Following the Confederate surrender, the regiment marched to Washington, D.C., took part in the Grand Review, and was mustered out on June 13, 1865, under Colonel James Wood, Jr.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Chancellorsville (May 1863)
• Gettysburg (July 1–2, 1863)
• Wauhatchie (October 1863)
• Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign (Missionary Ridge, November 1863)
• Atlanta Campaign (Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Cassville, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Siege of Atlanta, May–September 1864)
• March to the Sea (November–December 1864)
• Siege of Savannah (December 1864)
• Carolinas Campaign (Fayetteville, Averasboro, Bentonville, Raleigh, Bennett’s House, March–April 1865)

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded: 2 officers, 74 enlisted men
• Died of disease and other causes: 1 officer, 91 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 168

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel James Wood, Jr.
• Lieutenant Colonel Lester B. Faulkner
• Lieutenant Colonel Henry L. Arnold
• Major David C. Hartshorn
• Major Henry L. Arnold
• Major Campbell H. Young

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 136th 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 136th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. 25, 27, 28, 38, 44
• 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, Vol. 2