1st Infantry Regiment
Civil War

History

Mustered in: April 22, 1861
Mustered out: May 25, 1863

The following is taken from New York in the War of the Rebellion, 3rd ed. Frederick Phisterer. Albany: J. B. Lyon Company, 1912.
The regiment was recruited and organized in New York city to serve two years. It was accepted by the State, and mustered in the service of the United States at Staten Island, Companies A and F April 22; B, C, D and E April 23; I — Scandinavian Volunteers — and K April 24 and May 3, respectively; and G and H May 7, 1861.
The regiment, Col. William H. Allen, left the State May 20, 1861; served at and near Fort Monroe, Va., from May, 1861; at Newport News, Va., from July 3, 1861; in 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Department of Virginia, from March, 1862; in the 3d Brigade, 3d Division, 3d Corps, Army of the Potomac, from June 6, 1862; in the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 3d Corps, Army of the Potomac, from July, 1862; in the 3d Brigade, same division and corps, from October, 1862; and, commanded by Col. J. Fred. Pierson, was honorably discharged and mustered out May 25, 1862, at New York city.

The following is taken from The Union army: a history of military affairs in the loyal states, 1861-65 -- records of the regiments in the Union army -- cyclopedia of battles -- memoirs of commanders and soldiers. Madison, WI: Federal Pub. Co., 1908.
First Infantry.—Cols., William H. Allen, Garret Dyckman, J.. Frederick Pierson; Lieut-Cols., Garrett Dyckman, J. Frederick Pierson, Francis A. Leland; Majs., James M. Turner, J. Frederick Pierson, James P. Clancy, Joseph Seamans. The ist regiment, recruited in New York city, was mustered into the U. S. service for a two years' term, at Staten island, April 22 to 24 and May 3 to 7, 1861, and was the first regiment to be accepted for that length of time. On May 26 it embarked for Fortress Monroe; was there stationed until June 10, when it received orders to move to the support of the force at Big Bethel and was active at the battle of that: name. Returning to camp until July 3, the regiment was then ordered to Newport News and remained there until June 3, 1862, receiving during the winter over 370 recruits. The most noteworthy incident of this period was the attack on the fortifications by the Merrimac on March 8, 1862. On June 6, 1862, the 1st was assigned to the 3d brigade, 3d division, 3d corps, Army of the Potomac; was engaged at Peach Orchard and Glendale during the Seven Days' battles, losing in the latter battle 230 members killed, wounded and missing; was active at Malvern hill, where it was transferred to the 2nd brigade, 1st division, 3d corps, and ordered to Yorktown, thence to Manassas, where it participated in the battle of Aug. 30. It fought at Chantilly and then remained in the defenses of Washing-ton until Oct. 11, when it was attached to the 3d brigade, moved to Edwards' ferry, Middleburg and finally Falmouth, where it was stationed until the battle of Fredericksburg, in which it took part. Winter quarters were established at Falmouth until May 2 and 3, 1863, when the 1st was engaged at Chancellorsville, and on May 25, 1863, was mustered out at New York. During the two years' service, the regiment lost by death 113 members, 79 from wounds and 34 from other causes.

Battles and Casualties Table from Phisterer

Historical Sketch from the 3rd Annual Report of the Bureau of Military Statistics

Civil War Newspaper Clippings

Roster - Large file size. These files range from 4 MB to 41 MB.
This is in PDF format.
Thanks to the New York State Library for putting these online.

1st Battle Flag

Unit Roster

Further Reading
This is meant to be a comprehensive list. If, however, you know of a resource that is not listed below, please send an email to int-historians@ng.army.mil with the name of the resource and where it is located. This can include photographs, letters, articles and other non-book materials. Also, if you have any materials in your possession that you would like to donate, the museum is always looking for items specific to New York's military heritage. Thank you.

Bjerg, Werner (Report) LeighColl Book 46: 27 (Capt's report, Jun 2, 1861)
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Lowry, Thomas P. 1932- (Thomas Power) "Flames at Buckroe Farm: Col. William H. Allen." Curmudgeons, drunkards, and outright fools : courts-martial of Civil War Union colonels. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2003, 1997. 11-16.

Miscellaneous items, 1822-1900.
Abstract: Three letters, Aug. 1863 and Sept, 1864, from E.H. Eggleston of the 2nd Ohio Infantry mostly discuss the activities of his regiment in West Virginia and Tennessee with references to Morgan's raid into Ohio and his actions in Kentucky. Two letters, 1861, from John Lorighner at Camp Orr, Penn. discuss camp life, the war and family news. One letter, April 1862, from R.R. Blair in Annapolis, Md. discusses being stationed in that city. One letter, Nov. 1864, from Leonard Mitchelson with the 124th Ill Inf., Co. F in Vicksburg, Miss. discusses activities at Vicksburg, family and friends, and the celebration of Lincoln's re-election. Discharge, Dec. 1863, of Samuel J. Clark of the 9th New York Infantry due to Illness. Copy of letter from John Andrews, Governor of Mass., to Gen. Joseph Totten recommending William E. Hall for appointment to West Point. Account of clothing, Nov. 1863-June 1865 for the 91st Penn. Infantry, Co. C signed by Lt. Joseph Everhart. Attendance record, June 1861, for the 1st New York Regiment, Co. D signed by 1st Lt. C.F. Ingersoll. Gibson County, Tennessee document verifying election of C. Nummo as County Clerk. 1822 promissory note of Elias Bancroft to Mr. Rector. Photocopy of letter, 1900, from Dr. Gustav A.H. Wendlandt requesting a certificate to practice medicine in Wisconsin on moving from Springfield, Ill to Princeton, Wis. Received medical degree from University of Berlin in Germany.
Located at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Libary.

Robbins, Harvey. The Adventures and Escapes of Harvey Robbins and family from the Rebels, near Yorktown, Virginia. [Baltimore: Sherwood and Co., 1861] 22 pp.

United States. Army. New York Infantry Regiment, 1st (1861-1863). New York - Infantry - 1st Regiment [collection], 1861-1863.
Contents: [v. 1.] Letters sent, 1861-1863 -- [v. 2.] Letters received, 1861-1863 -- [v. 3.] Regimental order book, 1861-1863.
Abstract: Also contains general orders for the regiment.
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Items the museum holds are in bold.

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