7th Regiment
New York State Militia
New York National Guard
Civil War
National Guard

History

Left the state: April 19, 1861, mustered in: April 26, 1862
Mustered out: June 3, 1861
Left the state: May 25, 1862, mustered in: May 29, 1862
Mustered out: September 5, 1862
Mustered in: June 16, 1863
Mustered out: July 20, 1863

The following is taken from New York in the War of the Rebellion, 3rd ed. Frederick Phisterer. Albany: J. B. Lyon Company, 1912.
This regiment, located in New York city, is still in existence; its companies, A, B, C and D, were organized during the excitement created by the firing of British at American vessels off Sandy Hook in April, 1806, as the 1st, 2d, 3d and 4th Companies, and June 25th they were officially reorganized by the State as part of the uniformed militia of the State, and attached to the battalion of artillery commanded by Maj. Andrew Sitcher. April 5, 1807, tthe battalion, in the organization of the 3d Regiment of New York Artillery, became its 2d Battalion. When the war with England became imminent in 1807, these four companies, with other volunteers, were temporarily organized as a regiment, commanded by Col. Peter Curtenius, and remained thus detached until April 20, 1809. In 1812 the 3d became the nth Regiment of Artillery, the four companies remaining the 2d Battalion. August 25, 1824, the battalion was named " Battalion of National Guards" (its distinctive name until, in 1862, the Legislature appropriated it for the uniformed militia), and in December, 1824, the fifth company was organized, and Captain Stevens' company, of the nth New York Artillery, transferred to it as the sixth company. In January, 1825, the battalion was transferred to the 2d New York Artillery, October 1, 1825, the battalion was detached and organized as a separate and independent battalion, and during the month the seventh company was organized. May 4, 1826, the organization of the eighth company was completed, and May 7th, the battalion was organized into a regiment, the 27th Artillery. April 17, 1838, a troop of cavalry was admitted to the regiment, which, in 1861, became the ninth company. In 1843, the State furnished the regiment with arms, it having heretofore provided them itself. July 27th, the designation of the regiment was changed to 7th Regt. In April, 1849, an engineer corps was organized, which was revived and reorganized March i, 1855. A tenth company, Co. K, was organized March 29, 1860. The regiment was frequently ordered to hold itself ready for service, and did active service for the United States, the State and New York city, as follows: United States service from September 15 to December 15, 1812; from September 2 to December 2, 1814; in support of State or municipal authority: execution of James Reynolds, November 19, 1825; at the Election Riots, April 10, 1834; Abolition Riot, July 11 to 12, 1834; Great Conflagration in New York city, December 17, 1835; Stevedore Riot, February 24, 1836; Flour Riots, February 6 and March 6, 1837; Anti-rent War, December 9 to 10, 1839; Croton Water Riot, April 22 to 23, 1840; fire in New York city, July 19 to 21, 1845; Astor Place Riot, May 10, 12 and 14, 1849; Police Riot, June 16, 1857; Dead Rabbit Riot, July 5, 1857; Quarantine War, January 3, 1859; preserving order at camp of Spinola Brigade, September 12 to 19, 1862; Draft Riots, July, 1863; Orange Riots, July, 1871; Labor Riots, July, 1877; Motormen's Strike, Brooklyn, January, 1895, and at strike, Croton Dam, April, 1900; service in the War of the Rebellion.
April 19, 1861, the regiment, commanded by Col. Marshall Lefferts, left the State, en route to Washington, D. C., where it was mustered in the service of the United States for thirty days, April 26, 1861; it served at Washington and was mustered out at New York city, June 3, 1861.
May 25, 1862, the regiment, still commanded by Colonel Lefferts, again left the State, and was mustered in the United States service at camp Hamilton, Va., May 29, 1862, for three months, from May 26, 1862. It served most of this time at Baltimore, Md., and was mustered out of the United States service, September 5, 1862, at New York city.
June 16, 1863, it again re-entered the United States service, and was mustered in at New York city, for thirty days. It left the State on the 17th, under the command of Colonel Lefferts, served at Baltimore, and Frederick, Md., in the 2d Separate Brigade, Middle Department, 8th Corps, and was mustered out of the United States service, July 20, 1863, at New York city.
In its service, in 1861, it lost one enlisted man, accidentally killed, and it took part in: The advance into Virginia, May 24, 1861, and the New York city riot July 16, 1863.

The following is taken from Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Military Statistics of the State of New York, Albany: [The Bureau], (C. Wendell), 1866.
SEVENTH REGIMENT, N. Y. S. MILITIA.
The Seventh Regiment is in the Third brigade, First division of the militia organization, and was the first to leave the State. The following were the field officers:
Colonel—Marshall Lefferts.
Lieutenant-Colonel—William A. Pond.
Major—Alexander Shaler.
The regiment left on the 19th of April—strength ten hundred and fifty men. This organization was well known, not only in our own State, but throughout, the country, as one of the best appointed and drilled militia regiments then in existence. Com¬posed of young men in the bloom of manhood, and connected with all the active business pursuits of the great metropolis, their departure was the cause of the most intense excitement through a large class of it's citizens, and the scenes attending it are thus described:
" Around the armory of the Seventh regiment crowds gathered at an early period of the day, and. moved on only to be replaced by other crowds. So the excitement was kept up, till towards three o'clock the throng became stationary. It was by no means an ordinary crowd. From all quarters the members of the regi¬ment, in full fatigue dress, with their, knapsacks and blankets, were pouring into the armory. Guards at the doors kept the crowd, who had no business inside, from entering, but the build¬ing was filled to its utmost, notwithstanding, by the members, their relatives and friends. There were many touching scenes of farewell-taking, but these were merely episodes. There was no faltering among the men. A heartier shake of the hand than usual to a friend, a warmer kiss to a wife or mother, and the man hood of the soldier grew the greater, and he trussed his knapsack the tighter to his back as he gave the last adieu. " The regiment formed in Lafayette Place, about four o'clock, P. M. in the presence of an immense crowd each window of each building being filled with such fair applauders as might cheer the heart of the forlornest bachelor; if there were any such among those noble soldiers. Once in line, they proceeded through Fourth street to Broadway; down that great thoroughfare to Cortland street, and across the ferry, in boats provided for the purpose, to Jersey City. The line of march was a perfect ova¬tion. Thousands upon thousands lined the sidewalks. It will be remembered as long as any of those who witnessed it live to talk of it, and beyond that it will pass into the recorded history of this fearful struggle.
" The regiment marched not as on festival days -- not as on the reception of the Prince of Wales---but nobly and sternly, as men who were going to the war. Hurried was their step --not as regu¬lar as on less important occasions. We saw women -- we saw men shed tears as they passed. Amidst the deafening cheers that rose, we heard cries of 'God bless them!' And so along Broadway and through Cortland street, under its almost countless flags, the gallant Seventh regiment left the city."
The excitement in Jersey City, long before they had crossed the ferry, was scarcely less intense, and when they landed there they found they were by no means in a foreign State. It seemed that all the people of the, sister city had turned; out. It was re-enaction, of what their fellow townsmen had done for them. White handkerchiefs, waved by ladies' hands, were as numerous as the dogwood blossoms in spring, and it was proved that a Jer¬seyman can raise as hearty a cheer as the best New Yorker. And so it was till all were fairly disposed of in the cars and the cars moved off.
News of the riot in Baltimore, in which the Massachusetts sol¬diers were killed, was received before the regiment left New York and increased greatly the interest attending its departure. Forty-eight rounds of ball cartridge were served out to its members before leaving. The Seventh went by railroad to Perrysville; thence by steamer to Annapolis, and along or near the railroad track to Annapolis Junction and Washington, where it served for thirty days. Arrived at Annapolis April 22d, and at Washington the 25th, rind was mustered into the United States service April 27th. The regiment crossed the Potomac with the first troops that entered Virginia, when Alexandria and Arlington Heights were occupied, and labored with the New Jersey brigade in the construction of "Fort Runyon."
The Seventh remained on duty at and in the vicinity of Wash¬ington until the 31st of May, when it returned to New York. The following is an extract from an order of the War Depart¬ment, issued the day previous to the regiment's leaving Washington:
" It is the desire of the War Department, in relinquishing the services of this gallant regiment, to make known the satisfaction that is felt at the prompt and patriotic maimer in which it responded to the call for men to defend the Capital, when it was believed to be in peril, and to acknowledge the important service which it rendered by appearing here in an hour of dark and trying necessity. The time for which it had engaged has now expired. The service which it was expected to perform has been handsomely accomplished, and its members may return to their native city with the assurance that its services are gratefully appreciated by all good and loyal citizens, whilst the Government is equally confident that when the country again calls upon them the appeal will not be made in vain to the young men of New York."

Departure of the 7th

7th NYSM National Color

See here for a brief history of the State Militia / National Guard.

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.

Adamson, Bruce C. Ely, George W., Captain of the Regiment and the New York Stock Exchange, 1840-1922. N.p.: 1993.

The Albany Zouave Cadets to the Rochester Union Blues. Albany: J. Munsell, 1866.

Bill of Dress of the National Guard, Seventh Regiment, N.Y.S.M. as Established January 1865 and Revised in 1867. New York: Harrison & co, Printers, 1867.

By-Laws of Company E, Seventh Regiment, N.G.N.Y., Organized 1824. N.p.: ca. 1906.

By-Laws of Company K, Seventh Regiment, National Guard, N.Y.S.M. New York: B.F. Corlies & Macy, Stationers and Printers, 1862..

By-Laws, Council of Officers, 7th Regiment, N. G. New York: J. K. Sibell, Stationer and Printer, 1861.

By-Laws of "K" Company, 7th Regiment, N.G.S.N.Y. New York: Lehmaier & Bro., Printer, n.d.

By-Laws of Ninth Company, "1," Seventh Regiment, National Guard, S.N. Y. Adopted for the Governance and Maintenance of the Company, Revised December 13, 1869. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1870.

By-Laws and Rules and Regulations of Company G, Seventh Regiment, National Guard, N. Y.S.M. with the Roll of the Company. New York: Robert Craighead Printing, 1860.

By-Laws of the Seventh Company, National Guard, New York State Militia. New York: Charterton & Brother, Printers, 1861.

Charter and Constitution of the Veterans of the National Guard, 1861. New York: W. M. Everdell's Sons, Printers, ca. 1861.

Charter and Constitution of the Veterans of the National Guard, 1874. New York: Francis & Loutrel, Stationers and Printers, ca. 1874.

Carroll, John F. A brief history of New York's famous Seventh regiment and the events surrounding its march to the defense of the National capital. Chronology and bibliography, prepared by Lt. Colonel John F. Carroll. [New York: 1960] [17] p.

Centennial Celebration of the formation of the original Companies fo the Seventh Regiment, N.G.N.Y., May Fifth, Nineteen Hundred and Six. New York: Reed & Barton, 1906.

Clark, Emmons. History of the Second Company of the Seventh Regiment (National guard) N.Y.S. Militia. New York: J.G. Gregory, 1864.

Clark, Emmons. History of the Seventh Regiment of New York, 1806-1889. 2 Volumes. New York: The Seventh Regiment, 1890.

Clark, Francis Edward. Life of William Eugene Harward, by Rev. Frank E. Clark. Portland, ME:: Hoyt, Fogg & Donham, 1879.

Dalton, John C. "Dalton Letters, 1861-1865. Massachusetts Historical Society Proceeedings LVI (1922/23) 354-495.

Dalton, John C. [John Call Dalton, M.D., U.S.V.] [Cambridge, Mass. : Riverside Press, Year: 1892].

Dix, John Adams. "Address of Maj.-Gen. John A. Dix, at the reception by the Seventh regiment, National guard, S.N.Y., of its members who have served in the army and navy of the United States during the great rebellion", Academy of music, January 31, 1866. New York:Francis & Loutrel, 1866.

Duryee, Abram. Standing Orders of the Seventh Regiment, National Guard, for the Regulation and Government of the Regiment in the Field or in Quarters, New York: D. Van Nostrand, 1861.
Available online at: books.google.com/books?id=J2wDAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false  
Thank you to Steve Glazer for pointing out this resource.

Dwight, Frederick. The Seventh Regiment, National Guard, New York : a brief summary. [New York? : s.n.], 1908.

Elliott, G. H. History of the New York National Guard: The celebrated Seventh Regiment, from of its organization to the present times [ 1824-1959]. New York: Dinsmore, 1959.

Engineer Corps and "K" Company, 7th Regiment, N.G.N.Y. New York: E.S. Pratt Stationers and Printers, 1880.

The First Golden Anniversary in the National Guard, New York, May 18, 1869. Veterans of the National Guard. New York: Francis& Houtrel, Job Printers and Stationers, 1869.

Freeland, H. L. Headquarters Veterans of the Seventh Regiment, National Guard, N. Y.S., Supplementary Report. New York: 1885.

Gerrish, Henry. Letters to Lyman: The personal letter of a Civil War soldier to his grandson, Walter Lyman Medding, recounting his wartime experiences. Springfield, Va.: Medding, 1978.

General Committee on New Armory. New York: 1876.

Greene, R. H., compiler. Society of the War Veterans of the Seventh Regiment, N.G N. Y. New York: T. A. Wright, 1906.

Grafulla, C. S. "Grafulla's 7th Regiment N. G. Band second promenade concert. Saturday ev'g, Nov. 14th, 1863. 7th Regiment Armory." [New York, N.Y.] : J. Craft, printer, 29 Ann Street.,; United States; New York; New York, 1863.
Located at the New York Historical Society.

"General Butler and the Seventh New York Militia, extract of a letter from "a Seventh regiment man" to a former member, resideing "out West," in answer to an inquiry about the aspersions Bulter had cast at the Regiment." Historical Magazine s2 III (Morrisania 1868) 66-70.

Gerdts, Charles W., ed. Centennial Booklet. NY: n.p., 1961? 23 p.

Glavis, Edward S. A brief history of the Second company of the Seventh regiment (company "B", 107th infantry"). [New York, The Peck press], 1933.

Hansen, Harold C. Historical sketch of the Seventh Regiment, National Guard of New York. [New York? : Hansen], 1918.

Headquarters Veterans of the Seventh Regiment. New York, February 7, 1889. New York: 1889.

Holbrook, Richard G. A Handbook of Company K, Seventh Regiment.. NY: Vail Ballou Pr, 1940. 294 p.

[Kemp, Edward.] The Veterans of the Seventh regiment, National Guard, S. N. Y. and the question of the uniform. [New York: 1884].

Kobbe, William Kobbe. Enlisted man's biography. 1840-1904.
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Lamb, Martha Joanna Reade (Nash). "March of the New York Seventh regiment, the great uprising in New York city, 1861." Magazine of American history xiv (New York 1885) 58-68.

Lockwook John and Charles Lockwood. The Siege of Washington, The Untold Story of the Twelve Days that Shook the Union. Oxford University Press, New York, 2011.
Thank you to Steve Glazer for pointing out this resource.

New York. Infantry. 7th Inf Rect, Militia Natl Guard. By-laws and Rules and Regulations of Company 6, Seventh Regiment, National Guard, of the State of New York with the Roll of the Company. NY: New York Prtg Co, 1866. 92 p.

New York. Infantry. Board of Management and standing committees, veterans of the Seventh Regiment. [New York: 1897].
In War Department Library Pamphlet v. 262.

New York. Infantry. Charter, constitution and by-laws fo the veterans of the Seventh regiment N. G. S. N. Y. 1892. New York: [1892].
In War Department Library Pamphlet v. 262.

New York. Infantry. The Manual of the Seventh regiment National Guard, S.N.Y. New York: By the Regiment: 1868.

New York infantry. Proceedings of the conference committees of the Board of officers Seventh regt., N.G.S.N.Y., and the Veterans of the Seventh reg't, N. G. S. N. Y. [New York] Veterans of the Seventh regt., N.G.S.N.Y. [1885].
Located at the Library of Congress.

New York. Infantry. Songs of the Seventh. NY: Hinds, Noble & Eldredge, 1914. 238 p.

New York. Infantry. An Unofficial Roster of Company I, Seventh Infantry N.G. N.Y. From Its Organization March 6th, l838 to March 6th 1938. n.p., n.d.

New York. Infantry. Society of War Veterans of the Seventh Reiment, N.G.N.Y. New York: T.A. Wright: 1906.

New York. Infantry. The Veteran's room, Seventh regiment N.G.S.N.Y., armory. [New York]: 1881.

Notes on the colours of the National Guard: with some incidental passages of the history of the regiment. New York: From an Amateur Press for private distribution, 1864.

O'Reilly, David. "A brief history of the 7th regiment to 1865." Military Images, March/April 1999.
Available online at: findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3905/is_199903/ai_n8827924/
Thank you to Steve Glazer for pointing out this resource.

Oakley, John, (Secretary, Company B, 7th Regiment, N.Y.S.N.G.) 57th anniversary of the Second Company, Seventh Regiment N.Y.S.N.G. held at the St. Nicholas Hotel, May 6, 1863: poem and song, secretary's report of the celebration, and of the campaign of 1863, from the company's minutes. [New York] : Published by order of the Company, 1864.

Peet, Frederick T. Civil war letters and documents of Frederick Tomlinson Peet. With the Seventh New York regiment, Private in Co. H, April 18th - June 3rd, 1861. Newport, RI: 1917.

Peet, Frederick T. Personal experiences in the Civil War. New York : [s.n.], 1905.

Pollard, Josephine. Papers, 1862-1897.
Description: 34 items.
Abstract: Chiefly letters from Josephine Pollard and some family members to Captain Don Alonzo Pollard of the United States Army, 7th New York Infantry Regiment. Papers also include the sheet music, "Third Company Quickstep," by C.S. Grafula, and an engraved picture of Captain Pollard. The Correspondence, mainly from siblings, describes family life back at home to Captain Pollard who is away with the 7th Regiment. They often inquire of his health, as well. Also included is a group of poetry, chiefly from one of his sisters, Josephine Pollard, to him describing various events, e.g., the army's skill, a party invitation. There are also two letters included from another member of the 7th Regiment, W.M. Massey, asking to be given his resignation from the army.
Located at Duke University.

PowersColl (Misc booklets, commemoratives, etc. on hist of the rect)
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Proceedings of the Conference Committees of the Board of Officers Seventh Regt., N.G.S.N. Y., and the Veterans of the Seventh Reg't. N.G.S.N.Y. New York: Veterans of the Seventh Regt, N.G.S.N.Y., [1885].

Reception by the Seventh regiment, National guard, S.N.Y. of its members who served in the regular and volunteer army and navy of the United States during the great rebellion, Academy of music, January 31st, 1866. [New York: Francis & Loutrel, printers, 1866].

Roehrenbeck, William J. The Regiment that Saved the Capitol: the events surronding the march of New York's famous Seventh Regiment to the defese of Washington during the critical opening months of the Civil War. New York: Thomas Yoseloff, 1961.

Report of Committee Appointed, October 1st, 1886, on the Agreement Signed by Col. Emmons Clark, and Col. Locke W. Winchester. New York: M.J. Rooney, Printer, 1887.

Roll of Honor of the Regiment. New York: Francis & Loutrel, 1866.

Roll of the Members Most Distinguished from Long and Faithful Service in the Seventh Regiment, National Guard, S.N. Y. with Dates of Enrollment. N.p.: 1868.

Ross, Charles J. Chronicles of the rebellion of 1861 forming a complete history of the secession movement from its commencement, to which are added the muster roll of the Union army and explanatory and illustrative notes of the leading features of the campaign. New York [N.Y.] : F. McElroy, printer, 1861.

Shaw, Robert Gould. Letters RGS [monogram] Cambridge: University press, 1864.

Shaw, Robert Gould. "Letters from Camp written by Robert Gould Shaw." Magazine of History XVIII (New York, 1914) 25-31.

Smith, Lewis Bayard. CWMiscColl (Enlisted man's letters, Apr 24, 1861-Aug 26, 1862).
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Standing Orders of the Seventh Regiment National Guard for the Regulation and Government of the Regiment in Camp. M. Lefferts, Colonel. New York: Chatterton & Parker, Printers, 1860.

Sterne, Louis. Seventy Years of an active life, by Louis Sterne. London: [Chiswick press], 1912.

Swinton, William. History of the Seventh regiment, National guard, State of New York, during the War of the rebellion, with a preliminary chapter on the origin and early history of the Regiment, a summary of its history since the war, and a roll of honor, comprising brief sketches of the services rendered by members of the Regi ment in the Army and Navy of the United States, by William Swinton. Illustrated by Thomas Nast. New York: Fields, Osgood, & CO., 1870.

Taylor, Asher and John Mason. Recollections of the early days of the National Guard comprising the prominent events in the history of the famous Seventh Regiment New York Militia. New York : J.M. Bradstreet & Son, 1868.

[Taylor, Asher]. Recollections of the Early Days of the National Guard, Comprising the Prominent Events in the History of the Famous Seventh Regiment New York Militia. NY: J. M. Bradstreet, 1868. 201 p.

Todd, Frederick P., and Miller, Kenneth. Pro Patria et Gloria: The Illustrated Story of the One Hundred and Fifty Years of the Seventh Regiment of New York ( Infantry Regiment, N.Y.N.G.). Hartsdale, NY: Rampart House, 1956.

U.S. War Department. General Staff. Memorandum for Secretary of War; Subject: The Seventh Regiment April 15, 1911. New York: J.M. Bradstreet and Son, 1868.

The Uniformed Battalion of the Seventh Regiment, National Guard, S.N.Y, 1861-1892. New York: Rogers & Sherwood, 1893.

Viele, Egbert Ludovickus. "The Seventh regiment at the Capitol, 1861, 'The daylight contingent.'" Magazine of American history xrv (Morrisania 1885) 69-77.

Weston, Sullivan Hardy. The march of the Seventh reg't, a sermon on the providence of God, delivered in St. John's chapel in the City of New York, on Sunday, June 9th, 1861, by S. H. Weston. [New York] Association of the Veterans of the National Guard [Francis & Loutrell] 1861.

Weston, Sullivan Hardy. Sermons by the Rev. Mr. Weston, Chaplain of the 7th regiment, National guard, and the Rev. Byron Sunderland, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, Washington, preached in the hall of Representatives, Sunday, April 28th, 1861. Published by request of the Regiment. Washington, DC: Henry Polinhorn, printer, 1861.

Winthrop, Theodore. Life in the open air, and other papers, by Theodore Winthrop. Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1863.

Winthrop, Theodore. "New York Seventh regiment, our march to Washington." Atlantic monthly vii (1861) 744-56.

Winthrop, Theodore. "Washington as a camp." Atlantic monthly viii (1861) 105-18.

Wheeler, William. Letters of William Wheeler of the Class of 1855. Y.C. Printed for private distribution. [Cambridge: Printed by H. O. Houghton and co.], 1875. At head of title: In memoriam. "Letters of army life and service, 1861-1864." [279]-468.

Wolfe, Hudson G. "Chronological history of the Seventh regiment, National Guard." In Grand Civic and Military Demonstration in Honor of the Removal of the Remains of James Monroe, Fifth President of the United States, from New-York to Virginia. New York: Udolpho Clark, 1858.
Thank you to Steve Glazer for pointing this out.

Items in the museum collection are in bold.

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