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159th New
York Infantry
Online Books:
159th New York
Infantry Soldier
Roster - Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of New York For the Year
1893, Volume 40 View the Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| One Hundred and Fifty-ninth New York Infantry. — Cols., Homer A. Nelson,
Edward L. Molineaux; Lieut. -Cols., Edward L. Molineaux, Gilbert A. Draper, Charles A.
Burt, Edward L. Gaul, William Waltermire, Wells O. Pettit; Majs., Gilbert A. Draper,
Charles A. Burt, Edward L. Gaul, William Waltermire, Robert McD. Hart, Joseph G. McNutt,
Wells O. Pettit, William F. Tieman. The several companies of this regiment were raised in
the counties of Dutchess, Kings and Columbia. Cos. B, F, H and K were recruited at Hudson
by Lieut. -Col. Molineaux and united with the others at East New York, and the remaining
companies were formed from the men enlisted by Col. Nelson originally for the 167th N. Y.
The regiment was mustered into the U. S. service at New York city Nov. 1, 1862, for three
years. In 1864, a new Co. G replaced the old one, which was consolidated with the others.
The 159th left the state on Dec. 4, 1862, and proceeded to New Orleans, where it was
assigned to the 3d brigade, 4th (Grover's) division, 19th corps, Department of the Gulf.
Its first serious engagement was at Irish bend, where it fought bravely and sustained a
loss of 117 killed, wounded and missing, Lieut. -Col. Draper and 4 other officers being
among the killed and mortally wounded, and Col. Molineaux among the severely wounded. This
was by far the severest loss sustained by any regiment in this fight. It was actively
engaged throughout the long siege of Port Hudson, taking part in the first assault of May
27. Its loss during the siege was 73 killed, wounded and missing. After the surrender of
Port Hudson the regiment was engaged until the following year in post and garrison duty.
In March, 1864, in the 2nd brigade, 2nd (Grover's) division, same corps, it moved on
Banks' Red River expedition, being lightly engaged at Alexandria, Mansura and Morganza. In
July it proceeded to New Orleans, where it embarked for Washington, the first two
divisions of the corps having been ordered to Virginia. On its arrival it joined the 10th
corps before Richmond and Petersburg, and was engaged with some loss at Deep Bottom in
August. It was actively engaged with the Army of the Shenandoah under Sheridan in the
campaign against Early, losing 75 killed, wounded and missing at the Opequan, and 22, at
Cedar creek, where the gallant Maj. Hart was among the killed. The fighting in the valley
having ended, the regiment was ordered to Savannah, Ga., and in March, 1865, was ordered
to North Carolina, where it was temporarily attached to the 10th corps again. It was
finally mustered out at Augusta, Ga., Oct. 12, 1865, under command of Col. Waltermire. The
regiment lost by death during service 10 officers and 76 enlisted men killed and mortally
wounded; 1 officer and 130 men died of disease and other causes; total deaths, 217. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 2
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