164th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 164th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized for Union service during the American Civil War. Raised primarily in New York City, Brooklyn, Buffalo, and the counties of Niagara and St. Lawrence, it was mustered into United States service at Newport News, Virginia, on November 19, 1862. The regiment was part of the Corcoran Legion, a brigade composed largely of Irish soldiers. The 164th New York served in the Eastern Theater, participating in major campaigns with the Army of the Potomac and the Army of the James.

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

Organization & Service

The 164th New York Infantry was organized in the fall of 1862 and officially mustered in at Newport News, Virginia, on November 19, 1862, for a three-year term. It formed part of the Corcoran Legion, which included four regiments of Irish volunteers. The regiment was initially attached to the 7th Corps and soon participated in the Blackwater expedition, seeing its first action at the Deserted House in January 1863. The regiment’s conduct in this engagement was commended in a general order from department headquarters.

In April 1863, the 164th New York was engaged in the siege of Suffolk. Following the death of General Corcoran in December 1863, the Legion was stationed near Washington, D.C., from July 1863 until May 1864. The regiment then joined the Army of the Potomac at Spotsylvania and was assigned to Gibbon’s (2nd) Division, 2nd Corps. At Cold Harbor in June 1864, the regiment participated in a major assault, suffering heavy casualties, including the loss of Colonel James P. McMahon. The 164th New York continued to serve in the Petersburg operations, including Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains, and Reams’ Station, where it again sustained significant losses.

From June 26, 1864, to the end of the war, the regiment served in the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Corps, alongside the 8th New York Heavy Artillery. It participated in the Boydton Road action, Hatcher’s Run, and the Appomattox Campaign, including the battles of White Oak Ridge, the fall of Petersburg, High Bridge, Farmville, and Appomattox. The regiment was mustered out near Washington, D.C., under Colonel William DeLacey on July 15, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Blackwater Expedition (Deserted House), January 1863
• Siege of Suffolk, April 1863
• Duty near Washington, D.C., July 1863 – May 1864
• Spotsylvania Court House, May 1864
• Cold Harbor, June 1864
• First Assaults on Petersburg, June 1864
• Deep Bottom, July 1864
• Strawberry Plains, August 1864
• Reams’ Station, August 1864
• Boydton Road, October 1864
• Hatcher’s Run, December 1864
• White Oak Ridge, March–April 1865
• Fall of Petersburg, April 1865
• High Bridge, April 1865
• Farmville, April 1865
• Appomattox Court House, April 1865

Casualties

• Total enrollment: 928
• Killed or mortally wounded: 10 officers, 106 enlisted men
• Died of disease and other causes: 3 officers, 126 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 245
• Died in the hands of the enemy: 2 officers, 84 enlisted men

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John E. McMahon
• Colonel James P. McMahon
• Colonel William DeLacey
• Lieutenant Colonel James C. Burke
• Lieutenant Colonel William DeLacey
• Lieutenant Colonel John Beattie
• Major Michael D. Smith
• Major John Beattie
• Major Bernard O’Reilly

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 164th 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 for members of the regiment.

To view the complete roster, visit the 164th 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 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