162nd New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 162nd New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), also known as the “Third Metropolitan Guard,” was an infantry regiment organized in New York City during the Civil War. The regiment was recruited under the auspices of the Metropolitan Police and mustered into United States service at Riker’s Island, New York Harbor, between August 22 and October 18, 1862. Serving with the Union Army, the 162nd New York operated primarily in the Department of the Gulf and later in the Shenandoah Valley and Georgia.

This regiment is distinct from any other New York infantry units with different service terms.

Organization & Service

The 162nd New York Infantry was organized at Riker’s Island, New York Harbor, and mustered into federal service for three years between August 22 and October 18, 1862. The regiment included men originally enlisted for Companies D and K of the 53rd New York (2nd organization), who were assigned as Company F. In 1863, a new Company H was recruited to replace the original, which had been transferred. In February 1864, the 174th New York was consolidated with the 162nd.

After leaving New York on October 24, 1862, the regiment moved to Washington, D.C., then to Hampton Roads, Virginia, and in December embarked for New Orleans, Louisiana. The 162nd served at New Orleans, Carrollton, and Donaldsonville, and was engaged twice at Plaquemine. As part of Emory’s (3rd) Division, 19th Corps, it participated in operations leading to the investment of Port Hudson, including the skirmish on the Clinton plank road and presence at Fort Bisland. A detachment from Company I was engaged at Bayou Courtableau in April 1863.

Assigned to the 1st Brigade, 2nd (Sherman’s) Division, 19th Corps, the regiment was actively engaged during the siege of Port Hudson, suffering significant losses in the assaults of May 27 and June 14, 1863, including the death of Major James M. Bogart. The regiment performed detached service at Springfield Landing in June and July, losing additional men in a skirmish on July 2. Subsequently, the 162nd was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 19th Corps, and fought at Vermilion Bayou in the fall of 1863.

In March 1864, the regiment joined the 3rd Brigade, 1st (Emory’s) Division, 19th Corps, for the Red River Campaign, participating in the battles of Sabine Cross Roads, Pleasant Hill, Cane River Crossing, and Mansura. The regiment suffered heavy casualties at Pleasant Hill, including the death of Colonel Lewis Benedict, who was commanding the brigade. The 162nd also incurred losses at Cane River Crossing. In July 1864, the regiment returned to Virginia with Emory’s and Grover’s divisions, and while before Richmond, lost additional men. In April 1865, the regiment accompanied Dwight’s Division of the Army of the Shenandoah to Washington, D.C., and soon after sailed to Savannah, Georgia, where it was mustered out under Colonel Justus W. Blanchard on October 12, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Plaquemine, Louisiana (1862–1863)
• Operations leading to the investment of Port Hudson
• Skirmish on Clinton plank road
• Fort Bisland
• Bayou Courtableau (April 1863, detachment)
• Siege of Port Hudson (May–July 1863)
• Springfield Landing (June–July 1863)
• Vermilion Bayou (Fall 1863)
• Red River Campaign (March–May 1864)
• Sabine Cross Roads
• Pleasant Hill
• Cane River Crossing
• Mansura
• Operations before Richmond (July 1864)
• Shenandoah Valley (1865)

Casualties

The 162nd New York Infantry lost a total of 224 men during its service:

• Killed or mortally wounded: 8 officers, 62 enlisted men
• Died of disease and other causes: 3 officers, 151 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 224

Casualty figures are based on Dyer’s Compendium and state reports.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Lewis Benedict
• Colonel Justus W. Blanchard
• Lieutenant Colonel Justus W. Blanchard
• Lieutenant Colonel James M. Vanderburgh
• Major James M. Bogart
• Major Robert W. Leonard
• Major George W. Keating
• Major F. W. Coleman
• Major John W. Babcock
• Major William P. Huxford

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 162nd 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 records.

To view the full roster, visit the 162nd New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes (Department of the Gulf, 19th Corps, Red River Campaign, Port Hudson operations)
• 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