158th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 158th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Brooklyn, New York, during the Civil War. Composed primarily of men from Brooklyn, with a portion of Company C recruited in Jamaica and New York City, the regiment served in the Union Army from 1862 to 1865. It was part of the Empire (Spinola’s) Brigade and saw service in both the Department of North Carolina and the Army of the James, participating in significant campaigns in Virginia and North Carolina.

The regiment was mustered into United States service for three years on November 11, 1862, at Norfolk, Virginia. It is notable for its participation in the relief of Washington, North Carolina, the assault on Fort Harrison, and the final operations against Petersburg and during the Appomattox Campaign. Four members of the regiment received the Medal of Honor for gallantry in action.

Organization & Service

The 158th New York Infantry was organized at Brooklyn, New York, and left the state on September 18, 1862, with approximately 700 men under Colonel James Jourdan. The regiment proceeded to Norfolk, Virginia, where it was mustered into federal service on November 11, 1862. Shortly after, it moved to Suffolk, Virginia, and then was ordered to New Berne, North Carolina, where it was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 5th Division, 18th Army Corps.

During its extended service in North Carolina, the regiment performed garrison and outpost duty at New Berne, Beaufort, and Morehead, and participated in several raids. In the spring of 1863, it aided in the relief of General Foster at Washington, North Carolina, during a siege. In 1864, the regiment, led by Colonel Jourdan, conducted a raid into Jones and Onslow Counties, North Carolina. Lieutenant Colonel William H. McNary served as military governor of Beaufort during this period.

In the summer of 1864, the regiment rejoined the 18th Corps at Bermuda Hundred, Virginia. In September 1864, it was attached to the 1st Brigade, Heckman’s (2nd) Division, 18th Corps, and was heavily engaged at Fort Harrison (Battery Harrison), suffering significant casualties. In December 1864, with the formation of the 24th Corps, the regiment was assigned to the 1st (Foster’s) Division. It participated in the assault on Forts Gregg and Whitworth during the final attack on Petersburg, April 2, 1865.

Following the fall of Petersburg, the 158th New York joined the pursuit of Lee’s army, engaging at Rice’s Station and Clover Hill on the morning of Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. The regiment was present when the 24th Corps fired the last infantry volley of the Army of the Potomac. After the surrender, the regiment returned to Richmond and was mustered out under Colonel McNary on June 30, 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

  • Garrison and outpost duty at New Berne, Beaufort, and Morehead, North Carolina (1862–1864)
  • Relief of Washington, North Carolina (Spring 1863)
  • Raids in Jones and Onslow Counties, North Carolina (1864)
  • Operations at Bermuda Hundred, Virginia (Summer 1864)
  • Battle of Fort Harrison (Battery Harrison), Virginia (September 1864)
  • Assault on Forts Gregg and Whitworth, Petersburg, Virginia (April 2, 1865)
  • Appomattox Campaign, including Rice’s Station and Clover Hill (April 1865)

Casualties

  • Killed and mortally wounded: 2 officers, 49 enlisted men
  • Died of disease and other causes: 83 enlisted men
  • Accidentally killed (Batchelder’s Creek, N.C., explosion of torpedoes): 4 enlisted men
  • Total deaths: 134

Casualty figures are based on official reports and regimental histories.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel James Jourdan
  • Colonel William H. McNary
  • Lieutenant Colonel William H. McNary
  • Lieutenant Colonel Hyron Kalt
  • Major William H. Burnett
  • Major John O’Connor
  • Major Silas A. Ilsley
  • Major Hyron Kalt
  • Major William A. Furrey

Notable: Four members—Sergeants William Laing and James Howard, Privates John Schiller and George Grube—were awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry in action.

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 158th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides details on enlistment, rank, and service records.

To view the full roster, visit the 158th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes
  • 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
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