182nd New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 182nd New York Infantry (also known as the 69th National Guard Artillery and the first regiment of the Corcoran Brigade) served as an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized in New York City in late summer 1862, the regiment was composed primarily of Irish-American volunteers and was part of the renowned Corcoran Legion. The unit mustered into United States service for three years on November 17, 1862, and served in the Eastern Theater, participating in numerous major campaigns and battles until its mustering out in July 1865.

The 182nd New York Infantry was notable for its association with the Corcoran Legion, a brigade of Irish regiments, and for its heavy engagement and casualties in several key battles, including Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and Reams’ Station.

Organization & Service

The 182nd New York Infantry was organized in New York City, drawing its nucleus from the 69th Regiment National Guard, which had recently returned from three months’ service in the defenses of Washington, D.C. The regiment left New York for Newport News, Virginia, on November 10, 1862. Its organization was completed by incorporating men enlisted for the 6th Regiment of the Corcoran Legion (except Company D), and it was mustered into U.S. service on November 17, 1862, for a three-year term. The companies were recruited in New York City, and the regiment was officially designated the 182nd New York Volunteer Infantry by the War Department.

Initially attached to the Corcoran Brigade, the regiment participated in the Blackwater expedition in January 1863 and saw its first combat at the Deserted House on January 30, suffering 17 casualties. After brief service on the Virginia Peninsula, the regiment moved to Suffolk and was actively engaged in the defense of that place in spring 1863, followed by action at Carrsville. The regiment remained in the Suffolk area until July 1863, when the Corcoran Legion was ordered to Washington, D.C., for garrison and outpost duty, which continued until May 1864.

In May 1864, the 182nd joined the Army of the Potomac, assigned to the 2nd Division (Gibbon’s), 2nd Corps. The regiment arrived in time to participate in the closing battles around Spotsylvania, then fought at North Anna River, Cold Harbor, and the initial assaults on Petersburg, including the Weldon Railroad. From June 26, 1864, the regiment, with the 8th New York Heavy Artillery, formed the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Corps, and continued to serve in this capacity through the end of the war. The 182nd was engaged at Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains, Reams’ Station, Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher’s Run, the assault on Petersburg works (March 25, 1865), and during the Appomattox Campaign at White Oak Ridge and Farmville.

The regiment was mustered out near Washington, D.C., on July 15, 1865, under the command of Colonel John Coonan, following the mortal wounding of Colonel Matthew Murphy at Hatcher’s Run in February 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Blackwater Expedition (January 1863)
• Deserted House (January 30, 1863)
• Defense of Suffolk (Spring 1863)
• Carrsville
• Garrison and outpost duty at Washington, D.C. (July 1863 – May 1864)
• Spotsylvania Court House (May 1864)
• North Anna River
• Cold Harbor (Second Assault)
• Petersburg (June 1864 and subsequent operations)
• Weldon Railroad
• Deep Bottom
• Strawberry Plains
• Reams’ Station
• Boydton Plank Road
• Hatcher’s Run
• Assault on Petersburg Works (March 25, 1865)
• White Oak Ridge (Appomattox Campaign)
• Farmville (Appomattox Campaign)

Casualties

• Killed and mortally wounded: 8 officers, 79 enlisted men
• Died of disease and other causes: 53 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 140

Casualty figures are based on official reports and regimental histories.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Matthew Murphy (mortally wounded at Hatcher’s Run, February 1865)
• Colonel John Coonan
• Lieutenant Colonel Thomas M. Reid
• Lieutenant Colonel William Butler
• Lieutenant Colonel John Coonan
• Lieutenant Colonel Robert Heggart
• Major Theodore Kelly
• Major William Butler
• Major Dennis L. Sullivan
• Major Robert Heggart
• Major Michael McGuire

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 182nd New York Infantry, including officers and enlisted men who served during its three years’ service, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and additional service details valuable for genealogical and historical research.

To view the complete roster, visit the 182nd New York Infantry Regimental Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (Army of the Potomac, 2nd Corps, Corcoran Legion reports)
• 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