51st New York Infantry

51st New York Infantry was a regiment of the Union Army during the American Civil War, mustered in on October 23, 1861, and composed of volunteers from New York City, Brooklyn, and surrounding areas, including Queens County and Suffolk County. The regiment was part of the IX Corps and saw action in several key battles, including the Battle of Antietam, where they fought alongside the 1st Michigan Infantry and the 14th Brooklyn Infantry. The regiment was led by notable commanders, such as Edward Ferrero, who later played a crucial role in the Battle of Fort Stedman, and Ambrose Burnside, who led the IX Corps during the Battle of Fredericksburg.

● History

The 51st New York Infantry was formed in response to the call for volunteers issued by President Abraham Lincoln and Governor Edwin D. Morgan of New York in the summer of 1861, following the Battle of First Bull Run and the Battle of Wilson's Creek. The regiment was organized at New York City Hall and consisted of men from various backgrounds, including Irish Americans, German Americans, and African Americans, who were recruited from Manhattan, The Bronx, and Staten Island. The regiment's history is closely tied to that of other New York regiments, such as the 69th New York Infantry and the 88th New York Infantry, which also fought in the American Civil War. The regiment's training took place at Camp Scott in Staten Island, where they were instructed by experienced officers, including General Joseph Hooker and General George McClellan.

● Organization

The 51st New York Infantry was part of the IX Corps, which was commanded by General Ambrose Burnside and later by General John Sedgwick. The regiment was composed of ten companies, each recruited from different parts of New York State, including Albany, Buffalo, and Rochester. The regiment's organization was similar to that of other Union Army regiments, such as the 20th Maine Infantry and the 14th Vermont Infantry, which also fought in the American Civil War. The regiment was equipped with Rifled muskets and Minié balls, which were supplied by the United States Arsenal in Springfield, Massachusetts and the Watervliet Arsenal in Watervliet, New York.

● Service

The 51st New York Infantry saw extensive service during the American Civil War, participating in several key battles and campaigns, including the Maryland Campaign, the Rappahannock Campaign, and the Overland Campaign. The regiment was stationed at various locations, including Washington, D.C., Fort Monroe, and Petersburg, Virginia, where they were part of the Siege of Petersburg. The regiment's service was marked by periods of intense fighting, followed by periods of relative calm, during which they were engaged in Reconnaissance and Skirmish operations, often in conjunction with other regiments, such as the 1st New Jersey Infantry and the 2nd New Hampshire Infantry.

● Battles_and_campaigns

The 51st New York Infantry participated in several key battles and campaigns, including the Battle of Antietam, the Battle of Fredericksburg, and the Battle of Chancellorsville, where they fought alongside the 5th New York Infantry and the 10th New York Infantry. The regiment also saw action during the Battle of the Wilderness, the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse, and the Battle of Cold Harbor, where they were part of the Union Army's Overland Campaign. The regiment's battles and campaigns were often marked by heavy casualties, including the loss of notable officers, such as Colonel Robert Potter and Lieutenant Colonel Charles W. Tilden, who were killed in action during the Battle of Petersburg.

● Commanders

The 51st New York Infantry was led by several notable commanders, including Edward Ferrero, who later became a Brevet Major General in the Union Army, and Robert B. Potter, who was a Brevet Brigadier General and a Medal of Honor recipient. The regiment was also commanded by Charles W. Tilden, who was a Lieutenant Colonel and a Brevet Colonel in the Union Army. The regiment's commanders played a crucial role in shaping its history and legacy, and many of them went on to become prominent figures in the United States Army, including General Nelson A. Miles and General Oliver O. Howard.

● Legacy

The 51st New York Infantry's legacy is closely tied to that of the Union Army and the American Civil War. The regiment's bravery and sacrifice are commemorated in various ways, including the Gettysburg National Cemetery, the Antietam National Cemetery, and the Arlington National Cemetery, where many of its soldiers are buried. The regiment's history is also preserved in various museums and archives, including the New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center and the National Archives and Records Administration, which house many of the regiment's records and artifacts, including the Regimental flag and the Unit history. The regiment's legacy continues to be celebrated by Civil War reenactors and Historical preservation societies, including the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and the Civil War Preservation Trust. Category:New York Civil War regiments