179th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 179th New York Infantry (Union Army, infantry branch) was organized during the American Civil War at Elmira, New York, drawing recruits from Chemung, Erie, Steuben, Tioga, and Tompkins counties. The regiment mustered into United States service in stages between May and September 1864, with companies enlisted for varying terms of one and three years. The 179th served in the Eastern Theater, primarily with the IX Corps, Army of the Potomac, and participated in several major operations during the final year of the war.

The regiment is notable for its active involvement in the Petersburg Campaign, including the assaults on Petersburg, the Battle of the Crater, and the final storming of Petersburg. The unit experienced significant casualties in these actions and was mustered out in June 1865.

Organization & Service

The 179th New York Infantry was organized at Elmira, New York. Companies A, B, C, D, E, F, and G were mustered into service between May 11 and July 20, 1864, for three years. Company H was mustered for one and three years on September 13, 1864, while Companies I and K were mustered for one year on September 13–15, 1864. Company A, originally recruited for the 180th New York, joined the regiment on February 21, 1865.

The regiment departed New York by detachments beginning in May 1864 and reported to Washington, D.C., where it performed garrison duty with the 22nd Corps until the summer of 1864. On June 11, 1864, the 179th joined the Army of the Potomac at Cold Harbor and was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, IX Corps. It participated in the initial assaults on Petersburg in June 1864, suffering significant losses. Following the failed assaults, the regiment occupied advanced trenches near the enemy lines, enduring constant fire during the prolonged siege.

The 179th was engaged in the Battle of the Crater on July 30, 1864, and later fought at the Weldon Railroad and Poplar Spring Church. After a reorganization of the corps, the regiment was placed in the 2nd Brigade of Potter’s Division. It subsequently saw action at Hatcher’s Run and played a role in the defense during the attack on Fort Stedman on March 25, 1865. The regiment participated in the final assault on Petersburg on April 2, 1865. The 179th New York Infantry was mustered out of service at Alexandria, Virginia, on June 8, 1865, under Colonel William M. Gregg.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Garrison duty, Washington, D.C. (1864)
• Cold Harbor (June 1864)
• Assaults on Petersburg (June 1864)
• Siege of Petersburg (June 1864 – April 1865)
• Battle of the Crater (July 30, 1864)
• Weldon Railroad
• Poplar Spring Church (September 1864)
• Hatcher’s Run
• Fort Stedman (March 25, 1865)
• Final assault and storming of Petersburg (April 2, 1865)

Casualties

• Killed and mortally wounded: 7 officers, 66 enlisted men
• Died of disease and other causes: 118 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 191
• Died as prisoners: 25

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel William M. Gregg
• Lieutenant Colonel Franklin B. Doty (mortally wounded at Petersburg, April 2, 1865)
• Lieutenant Colonel Albert A. Terrill
• Major J. Barnett Sloan (killed June 17, 1864)
• Major John Barton (mortally wounded at the Battle of the Crater, July 30, 1864)
• Major Giles H. Holden

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 179th New York Infantry, including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides details on enlistment, rank, and service records for members of the regiment.

To view the complete roster, visit the 179th New York Infantry Regimental Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. 40, 42, 46
• 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)