169th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 169th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in New York during the American Civil War. Raised primarily in Rensselaer and Washington counties, the regiment was known as the “Troy Regiment.” It was mustered into United States service between September 25 and October 6, 1862, with Companies A to E mustered at Troy and the remaining companies at New Dorp, Staten Island. The regiment served in the Union Army, participating in operations in the Eastern Theater, and was recognized by Col. Fox as one of the “three hundred fighting regiments” of the war.

Organization & Service

The 169th New York Infantry was organized at Troy and Staten Island in the fall of 1862, with a three-year term of enlistment. The regiment left New York for Washington, D.C., on October 9, 1862. Early in its service, the regiment was attached to Foster’s Brigade, Corcoran’s Division, and was actively engaged in the defense of Suffolk, Virginia. In the summer of 1863, it participated in operations around Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.

In May 1864, the regiment moved with the Army of the James to Bermuda Hundred, Virginia, where it saw heavy fighting and sustained significant losses. At the Battle of Cold Harbor, the regiment fought in Martindale’s Division; Colonel John McConihe was killed in this engagement. The 169th New York held advanced positions in the trenches before Petersburg, suffering daily casualties. On June 30, 1864, during a brigade assault at Petersburg, the regiment was exposed to severe enemy fire, resulting in further losses.

Later, the regiment was selected for the expedition against Fort Fisher, North Carolina, serving in Bell’s (3rd) Brigade, Ames’ Division, 10th Corps. It participated in the successful assault on Fort Fisher, with many casualties resulting from the explosion of the magazine after the fort’s capture. Following the fall of Fort Fisher, the regiment advanced with the 10th Corps toward Wilmington, North Carolina. At the end of the war, the 169th New York entered Raleigh, North Carolina, with Sherman’s army and remained there as a garrison until mustering out on July 19, 1865, under Colonel Alonzo Alden.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Siege of Suffolk, Virginia
• Edenton Road
• Carrsville
• Blackwater
• Zuni
• Nansemond
• South Anna
• Operations about Charleston Harbor, South Carolina
• Fort Wagner, South Carolina
• Port Walthall Junction, Virginia
• Chester Station
• Bermuda Hundred
• Drewry’s Bluff
• Cold Harbor
• Trenches before Petersburg
• Dutch Gap
• Chaffin’s Farm
• Darbytown Road
• Fort Fisher, North Carolina
• Wilmington, North Carolina
• Raleigh, North Carolina (occupation)

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded: 10 officers, 147 enlisted men
• Died of disease and other causes: 3 officers, 125 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 285
• Total killed and wounded: 618

Casualty figures are based on regimental and official reports. The total enrollment, excluding postwar transfers, was 1,467 men.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Clarence Buell
• Colonel John McConihe (killed at Cold Harbor)
• Colonel Alonzo Alden
• Lieutenant Colonel John McConihe
• Lieutenant Colonel Alonzo Alden
• Lieutenant Colonel James A. Colvin
• Major Alonzo Alden
• Major James A. Colvin
• Major Joseph H. Allen

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 169th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides details on company assignments, ranks, and service records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 169th 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