155th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 155th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at New York City and mustered into United States service on November 18, 1862. The regiment served in the Union Army, primarily in the Eastern Theater. It was notably the second regiment of the Corcoran Legion, a brigade of Irish regiments raised by Brigadier General Michael Corcoran after his release from Confederate captivity. The 155th drew recruits mainly from New York, Kings, Queens, Broome, and Erie counties.

This unit is distinct from any other New York regiments with similar designations or service terms.

Organization & Service

The 155th New York Infantry was organized at New York City and left the state for Newport News, Virginia, on November 10, 1862. It was mustered into federal service for a three-year term on November 18, 1862. The regiment became part of the Corcoran Legion, which included the 182nd, 164th, and 170th New York Infantry regiments. Initially, the 155th was attached to the brigade commanded by Colonel Murphy of the 69th Militia, with General Corcoran leading the division.

In January 1863, the regiment participated in the Blackwater expedition and saw its first combat at the Deserted House. In April 1863, it was engaged in the defense of Suffolk, Virginia, for nearly a month. From July 1863 to May 1864, the regiment was stationed near Washington, D.C. In May 1864, the 155th joined the Army of the Potomac at Spotsylvania and was assigned to the 4th Brigade, 2nd (Gibbon’s) Division, 2nd Corps. The regiment participated in the closing battles at Spotsylvania, suffering significant casualties, and went on to fight at Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Strawberry Plains, Reams’ Station, Boydton Plank Road, and the final assaults on Petersburg. It was present at Farmville and Appomattox Court House during the closing days of the war. The regiment was mustered out near Washington, D.C., on June 15, 1865, under Colonel John Byrne.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Blackwater Expedition (January 1863)
• Deserted House
• Defense of Suffolk (April 1863)
• Duty near Washington, D.C. (July 1863 – May 1864)
• Spotsylvania Court House (May 1864)
• Cold Harbor (June 1864)
• Petersburg (June 1864 – April 1865)
• Strawberry Plains
• Reams’ Station
• Boydton Plank Road (October 1864)
• Assault on Petersburg Works (March 1865)
• Farmville
• Appomattox Court House

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded: 9 officers, 106 enlisted men
• Died of disease and other causes: 2 officers, 72 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 189 (including 2 officers and 35 men who died in enemy hands)
• Total enrollment: 830

Casualty figures are based on official reports and regimental records.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel William McEvily
• Colonel Hugh C. Flood
• Colonel John Byrne
• Lieutenant Colonel James P. McMahon
• Lieutenant Colonel Hugh C. Flood
• Lieutenant Colonel John Byrne
• Major Hugh C. Flood
• Major John Byrne
• Major John O. Dwyer
• Major Michael Doran
• Major James McConvey
• Major Francis Paige

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 155th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal sources.

To view the complete roster, visit the 155th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XX, XXVII, XXXVI, XL, XLVI
• New York State Adjutant General’s Reports
• 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