173rd New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 173rd New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in New York City and Brooklyn, New York, during the Civil War. Raised primarily by the police departments as part of the Metropolitan brigade, it was also known as the 4th Metropolitan Guard and 4th National Guard. The regiment mustered into United States service for three years at Riker’s Island on November 10, 1862, and served with the Union Army in the Department of the Gulf and later in the Shenandoah Valley and Savannah, Georgia.

The 173rd New York Infantry was attached to the 2nd Brigade, Emory’s (3rd) Division, 19th Army Corps, and participated in several major campaigns, including the Siege of Port Hudson and the Red River Campaign. The regiment was mustered out at Savannah, Georgia, on October 18, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 173rd New York Infantry was recruited in New York City and Brooklyn by the police departments and organized at Riker’s Island. The regiment mustered into federal service for three years on November 10, 1862. On December 9, 1862, the regiment departed New York for Louisiana, where it was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, Emory’s (3rd) Division, 19th Army Corps.

The regiment first saw combat at Fort Bisland in April 1863, suffering several casualties. A detachment under Captain Conrady engaged in skirmishing at Breaux Bridge, Bayou Teche. The 173rd played an active role in the Siege of Port Hudson from May to July 1863, with significant losses, particularly during the assault on June 14, when Major A. Power Galloway was mortally wounded. In November 1863, the regiment was engaged at Carrion Crow Bayou.

In the spring of 1864, the 173rd New York participated in the Red River Campaign as part of the 3rd Brigade, Emory’s Division, 19th Corps. The regiment fought at Sabine Cross Roads, Pleasant Hill, and Mansura, with heavy losses at Sabine Cross Roads and Pleasant Hill, where Lieutenant Colonel William N. Green, Jr. was killed. After the Red River Campaign, the regiment continued active service but saw no further major engagements.

In July 1864, the regiment moved with the 1st and 2nd Divisions of the 19th Corps to Virginia, joining Sheridan’s Army in the Shenandoah Valley. During the Battle of Winchester, the regiment was on detached service at Harper’s Ferry, and during the Battle of Cedar Creek, it was assigned to guard wagon trains. The 173rd remained in the Shenandoah Valley with Dwight’s (1st) Division until April 1865, then moved to Washington, D.C., where it participated in the Grand Review. The regiment was subsequently ordered to Savannah, Georgia, and mustered out under Colonel Lewis M. Peck on October 18, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Fort Bisland (April 1863)
• Breaux Bridge, Bayou Teche (April 1863, detachment)
• Siege of Port Hudson (May–July 1863)
• Assault on Port Hudson (June 14, 1863)
• Carrion Crow Bayou (November 1863)
• Red River Campaign (Spring 1864)
• Sabine Cross Roads (April 8, 1864)
• Pleasant Hill (April 9, 1864)
• Mansura (May 16, 1864)
• Shenandoah Valley operations (1864–1865; not engaged at Winchester or Cedar Creek)

Casualties

• Killed or mortally wounded: 6 officers, 45 enlisted men
• Died of disease and other causes: 2 officers, 126 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 179

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Charles B. Morton
• Colonel Lewis M. Peck
• Lieutenant Colonel Lewis M. Peck
• Lieutenant Colonel William N. Green, Jr. (killed at Pleasant Hill)
• Lieutenant Colonel Mellen T. Holbrook
• Major A. Power Galloway (mortally wounded at Port Hudson)
• Major George W. Rogers

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 173rd 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 173rd New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. XV, XXVI, XXXIV, XXXIX
• 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)