| New York U.S. Volunteer Infantry Regiments 1861-1865 | ||||
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The 8th New York Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was also known as the First German Rifles or Blenker's Rifles.
Service
The regiment was organized in New York City and was mustered in for a two-year enlistment on April 23, 1861.
In June 1861, at the beginning of the First Battle of Bull Run, Varian's New York Battery under the regiment were only one of two 3-month service volunteer units to refuse participation and walk away from the battlefield. Both units were strongly criticized for its actions.
The regiment was mustered out of service on April 23, 1863. Men who chose to re-enlist were assigned to the 68th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
Casualties
The regiment suffered 369 fatalities.
Commanders
- Colonel Louis Blenker
- Colonel Julius Stahel
- Colonel Francis Wutschell
- Colonel Felix Salm-Salm
See also
- 8th Regiment New York State Militia Infantry - served as the "8th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment" during the Spanish–American War
- List of New York Civil War regiments
References
- Phisterer, Frederick (1912). New York in the War of the Rebellion. Albany: J.B. Lyon Co.
- 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 soldier. Madison, Wisc.: Federal Pub. Co. 1908.
External links
- New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center - Civil War - 8th Infantry Regiment History, photograph, table of battles and casualties, Civil War newspaper clippings, and historical sketch, for the 8th New York Infantry Regiment.