Overview
The 137th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Binghamton, New York, and mustered into United States service for three years on September 25–26, 1862. Drawn primarily from Tompkins, Tioga, and Broome counties, the regiment served in the Union Army, principally in the Eastern and Western Theaters. It was attached throughout its active service to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd (Geary’s) Division, 12th Corps, later redesignated as part of the 20th Corps.
The 137th New York Infantry is noted for its distinguished defense of Culp’s Hill at Gettysburg, where it sustained heavy casualties. The regiment participated in major campaigns from Chancellorsville to the March to the Sea and the Carolinas Campaign, and was present at the Grand Review in Washington, D.C., before mustering out in June 1865.
Organization & Service
The 137th New York Infantry was organized at Binghamton and mustered into service on September 25–26, 1862. The regiment, numbering 1,007 men at departure, left for Harper’s Ferry on September 27, 1862. Upon arrival, it was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 12th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, under Brigadier General George S. Greene. The regiment remained with this brigade and division throughout its service, even as the corps was later redesignated as the 20th Corps in April 1864.
The 137th New York saw its first major action at the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863. At Gettysburg in July 1863, the regiment, as part of Greene’s brigade, played a critical role in the defense of Culp’s Hill, holding its position against repeated Confederate assaults and suffering significant casualties. In September 1863, the 12th Corps was transferred to the Western Theater, joining the Army of the Cumberland at Chattanooga, Tennessee. The regiment fought at Wauhatchie, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and Ringgold. During the Atlanta Campaign of 1864, the 137th participated in actions at Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Cassville, Lost Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, and the siege of Atlanta. Following the fall of Atlanta, the regiment marched with Sherman to the sea and took part in the Carolinas Campaign.
Colonel David Ireland, the regiment’s original commander, died of disease at Atlanta in 1864 and was succeeded by Colonel Koert S. Van Voorhes. The regiment continued in active service until the close of hostilities, participating in the Grand Review in Washington, D.C., and was mustered out near Bladensburgh, Maryland, on June 9, 1865.
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
- Chancellorsville (May 1863)
- Gettysburg (July 1863)
- Wauhatchie (October 1863)
- Lookout Mountain (November 1863)
- Missionary Ridge (November 1863)
- Ringgold (November 1863)
- Rocky Face Ridge (May 1864)
- Resaca (May 1864)
- Cassville (May 1864)
- Lost Mountain (June 1864)
- Kennesaw Mountain (June 1864)
- Peachtree Creek (July 1864)
- Siege of Atlanta (July–September 1864)
- March to the Sea (November–December 1864)
- Campaign of the Carolinas (February–April 1865)
Casualties
- Killed or mortally wounded: 6 officers, 121 enlisted men
- Died of disease, accidents, and other causes: 4 officers, 167 enlisted men
- Total deaths: 294
- Total killed and wounded: 490
These figures are based on regimental and official reports. At Gettysburg, the regiment lost 40 killed, 87 wounded, and 10 missing. At Wauhatchie, 15 were killed and 75 wounded; at Lookout Mountain, 6 killed and 32 wounded.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel David Ireland
- Colonel Koert S. Van Voorhes
- Lieutenant Colonel Koert S. Van Voorhes
- Lieutenant Colonel Milo B. Eldridge
- Major Wetsell Willoughby
- Major Milo B. Eldridge
- Major Frederick A. Stoddard
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 137th 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 137th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 25, 27, 28, 30, 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, Volume 2