151st New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 151st New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Lockport, New York, and mustered into United States service on October 22, 1862, for a term of three years. The regiment was primarily recruited from Niagara and Monroe counties and served in the Union Army, participating in major campaigns in the Eastern Theater. It is notable for its extensive service with the Army of the Potomac and later the Army of the Shenandoah, enduring significant losses in several major engagements.

This regiment received additional recruits from Col. Franklin Sidway’s Buffalo regiment, which helped complete its organization. The 151st New York Infantry played a prominent role in key battles from 1863 through the end of the war in 1865.

Organization & Service

The 151st New York Infantry was organized at Lockport and mustered in on October 22, 1862. The regiment left New York on October 23, 1862, and was initially stationed at Baltimore, Maryland, until February 1863. It was then ordered to West Virginia, serving there and at South Mountain, Maryland, until July 10, 1863. At that time, the regiment joined the 3rd Corps and was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 3rd (French’s) Division, participating in the action at Wapping Heights.

In August 1863, the regiment was transferred to the 1st Brigade, same division and corps, and was present at McLean’s Ford, Catlett’s Station, and Kelly’s Ford, though it did not suffer losses in these actions. During the Mine Run Campaign in late 1863, the regiment was sharply engaged at Locust Grove, with 60 casualties. After returning from this campaign, the regiment wintered at Brandy Station.

When the 3rd Corps was discontinued in March 1864, the 151st New York was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 3rd (Ricketts) Division, 6th Corps. The regiment participated in the Overland Campaign, fighting at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomoy, and Cold Harbor. During Early’s invasion of Maryland in July 1864, the regiment moved to Baltimore and was heavily engaged at Monocacy, suffering 118 casualties.

As part of the Army of the Shenandoah, the 151st New York took part in Sheridan’s Valley Campaign, fighting at Charlestown, Leetown, Smithfield, Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, and Cedar Creek, with a loss of 38 men during the campaign. In December 1864, the regiment returned to the Petersburg trenches and was stationed near the Weldon Railroad through the winter. On December 21, 1864, the regiment was consolidated into a battalion of five companies due to reduced numbers.

In April 1865, the regiment participated in the final assault on Petersburg and the pursuit of Lee’s army, fighting its last battle at Sailor’s Creek. The regiment was mustered out near Washington, D.C., on June 26, 1865, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Charles Bogardus.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Baltimore, Maryland (1862–1863, garrison duty)
• West Virginia and South Mountain, Maryland (early 1863)
• Wapping Heights (July 1863)
• McLean’s Ford, Catlett’s Station, Kelly’s Ford (August 1863)
• Mine Run Campaign, including Locust Grove (November–December 1863)
• Brandy Station (winter quarters, 1863–1864)
• Overland Campaign: Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomoy, Cold Harbor (May–June 1864)
• Monocacy (July 1864)
• Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign: Charlestown, Leetown, Smithfield, Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, Cedar Creek (August–October 1864)
• Petersburg trenches and Weldon Railroad (winter 1864–1865)
• Final Assault on Petersburg and Appomattox Campaign, including Sailor’s Creek (April 1865)

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded: 5 officers, 101 enlisted men
• Died of disease and other causes: 1 officer, 99 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 206

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel William Emerson
• Lieutenant Colonel Ewen A. Bowen
• Lieutenant Colonel Thomas M. Fay
• Lieutenant Colonel Charles Bogardus
• Major Thomas M. Fay
• Major James A. Jewell

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 151st New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details as recorded in official state and federal records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 151st 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 Potomac, Army of the Shenandoah, 1862–1865)
• 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, Vol. 2 (Federal Publishing Company, 1908)