83rd Infantry Regiment

Nickname: Ninth Militia; City Guard; Ninth Infantry National Guard

Mustered in: June 8, 1861.
Mustered out: June 23, 1864.

The following is taken from New York in the War of the Rebellion, 3rd ed. Frederick Phisterer. Albany: J. B. Lyon Company, 1912. 

The 9th State Militia not having been ordered into service under the first call, organized in New York City as a regiment of volunteers, under special authority from the War Department; and was mustered in the service of the United States for three years at Washington, D. C., June 8, 1861. Company K, recruited at Rahway, N. J., and armed as artillery, joined the regiment July 7, 1861, but served mostly detached from it and became, finally, the 6th Battery. Companies I and L, recruited in New York City, joined the regiment August 25 and September 24, 1861, respectively. In September, 1861, the regiment was turned over to the State, and, December 7, 1861, it received its volunteer numerical designation. May 26, 1863, the three years' men of the 26th Infantry were transferred to it. June 7, 1864, the men not entitled to be mustered out with the regiment were transferred to the 97th Infantry.
The regiment, then eight companies only, recruited in New York City, Col. John W. Stiles, left the State May 27, 1861; served at Washington, D. C., from May, 1861; in Colonel Stone's command, from June 10, 1861; in his brigade, Patterson's command; from July 7, 1861; in Hamilton's Brigade, Banks' command, from August 17,1861; in Stiles' Brigade, Stone's Division, Army of Potomac, from October I5, 1861; in 2d, Abercrombie's, Brigade, 1st, Williams', Division, 5th Corps, from March, 1862; in 3d Brigade, 2d Division, Department Rappahannock, from May, 1862; in same brigade and division, 3d Corps, Army of Virginia, from June 26, 1862; in same brigade and division, 1st Corps, Army of Potomac, from September 12, 1862; in 2d Brigade, 2d Division, 1st Corps, Army of Potomac, from May, 1863; in 2d Brigade, 2d Division, 5th Corps, Army of Potomac, from March, 1864; in 2d Brigade, 3d Division, 5th Corps, Army of Potomac, from May 9, 1864; in 2d Brigade, 2d Division, 5th Corps, Army of Potomac, from May 30 to June 7, 1864; and it was honorably discharged and mustered out, under Lieut.-Col. William Chalmers, at New York City, June 23, 1864.
During its service the regiment lost by death; killed in action, 8 officers, 103 enlisted men; of wounds received in action, 1 officer, 52 enlisted men; of disease and other causes, 2 officers, 89 enlisted men; total, 11 officers, 244 enlisted men; aggregate, 255; of whom 16 enlisted men died in the hands of the enemy.

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. volume II. 

Eighty-third Infantry.—Cols., John W. Stiles, John Hendrickson, Joseph A. Moesch; Lieut.-Cols., William H. Halleck, William At-terbury, Allen Rutherford, John Hendrickson, Joseph A. Moesch, William Chalmers; Majs., William Atterbury, Allen Rutherford, John Hendrickson, Dabney W. Diggs, Henry V. Williamson. The 83d (the 9th militia), was recruited in New York city and left the state for. Washington, May 27, 1861. It was there mustered into the service of the United States for a three years' term, June 8, and served in Col. Stone's command, in Hamilton's and Stiles' brigades, along the Potomac in Maryland and at Harper's Ferry. In the spring of 1862 the regiment was stationed near Warrenton Junction and along the Rappahannock river with several different assignments and participated in Gen. Pope's Virginia campaign with the 3d brigade, 2nd division, 3d corps, suffering the loss of 75 members at the second Bull Run. The brigade and division were transferred to the 1st corps on Sept. 12, fought at South mountain and Antietam, the regiment being closely engaged in both battles and losing 114 at Antietam. The next battle was Fredericksburg, where the crippled command suffered even more severely—125 killed, wounded or missing—among whom was Col. Hendrickson, who was severely wounded. The regiment passed the winter at Falmouth; was not in an exposed position during the Chancellors-ville movement and battle of May, 1863, but played an important part at Gettysburg in the capture of Iverson's North Carolina brigade. On the southward march the regiment was stationed at Ha-gerstown, Md., and Liberty, Va.; then participated in the Mine Run campaign, and established camp near Brandy Station in the early winter. During the Wilderness campaign it served in the 2nd brigade, 2nd division, 5th corps, and the 2nd brigade, 3d division, 5th corps, until June 7, when the term of service expired. Col. Moesch was killed in the Wilderness and 128 men were reported killed, wounded or missing. The original members not reenlisted were mustered out at New York, June 23, 1864, and the veterans were transferred to the 97th N. Y. infantry. The 83d is named by Col. Fox as one of the "three hundred fighting regiments." Out of a total enrollment of 1,413 it lost during service 164 by death from wounds and 91 from other causes.

83rdInfMarker.jpg

83rd Regiment NY Volunteer Infantry | Flank Marker | Civil War

This blue silk flank marker features painted inscriptions in gold, shadowed in red, along the top and bottom. The regiment’s numeric designation, in…

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NYSMM Online Resources

Battles and Casualties from Phisterer (pdf)
Battles and Casualties from Phisterer (spreadsheet)

Muster Roll

Unit Roster

Historical Sketch

Monument at Gettysburg

Other Resources

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 ng.ny.nyarng.list.historians@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.

    
Brevoort, Henry. Henry Brevoort Civil War letter 1862.
Abstract:    This collection consists of one letter written by Henry Brevoort while he served on the staff of General Osterhaus.
Held at the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Arkansas Studies Institute.

Cheney, Newel. History of the Ninth Regiment, New York Volunteer Cavalry: War of 1861 to 1865; compiled from letters, diaries, recollections and official records by Newel Cheney, captain and brevet major. Poland Center, N.Y. ; Ashville, N.Y. Berrybook Press, c1901, 1998.

Clare, Henry P. and Sarah E. Handley. Henry P. Clare Letters, Co. D., 9th New York State Militia, 1863.
Description:    .33 cubic ft. ( 1 box) + finding aid
Abstract:    This collection consists of 47 letters written by Henry P. Clare to his brother, William Keating Clare, with the exception of one letter addressed to Lieutenant Colonel M.T. McMahon, Assistant Adjutant General, and one from a George E. Hyatt to William. The letters in this collection range from January 4, 1863 (although they are misdated by Henry as January 1862) to December 6, 1863. Henry talks mostly of his life in the camp, gives his opinion of the war, and of the Army's and the nation's leadership. Many of the letters are sharply critical of leaders, including Lincoln, Burnside, Hooker, and Meade, and of the way the war is being handled. He admits in one letter that he is a Copperhead, although the term is not looked upon kindly in the army. Letter 18, which is written by another soldier to William, letting him know that Henry is safe after the battle of Chancellorsville, and Letter 26, dated July 5, 1863, details what Henry and his regiment experienced during the Battle of Gettysburg. He occasionally mentions other members of the 83rd, including Colonel Joseph A. Moesch, their regimental commander, with whom he seems well acquainted.
Held by the Special Collections, Musselman Library, Gettysburg College.

Coburn, Robert S. CWTIColl
(Enlisted man's diary, Oct 11, 1862-Oct 9, 1863)
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Fallen heroes: 9, New York State Mil.
Description: 48 p. ; 19 cm
Note(s): Binder's title./ Typewritten label on t.p.: "Presented by Fennimore P. Jones, formerly of Co. 'D', 9th N.Y. State Militia." Hanwritten note on bottom of label: "Designation changed Dec. 7, '61, to 83., N.Y. Infantry."
Located at the National Archives Library. (Online catalog is here: http://www.archives.gov/research/alic/tools/online-public-access-catalog.html)

George A. Hussey and William Todd. History of the Ninth regiment, N.Y.S.M., N.G.S.N.Y. (Eighty-third N.Y. volunteers), 1845-1888. New York: [J. S. Ogilvie], 1889.

Gregory, Matthew S. Papers, 1861-1896.
Description:    20 items
Abstract:    Group of letters and other documents related to Matthew Gregory's claim for army officers' pension based on his service as 1st lieutenant. Included here are copies of his certificate of appointments, discharge certificate, and pension application. Also included, are several letters, 1861-1862 written by Matthew Gregory regarding his military activities and experiences. One letter discusses his election as 1st lieutenant.
Located at the New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections.

Hartshorn, Edmund F. Experiences of a boy. Breinigsville, PA: Nabu Press, 1910, 2010. http://www.archive.org/details/experiencesofboy00hart

Hendrickson, John. John Hendrickson diary, 1862.
Description:    .21 linear foot (1 volume)
Abstract:    Diary kept by Maj. John Hendrickson (later, maj.-gen.), January 1-December 12, 1862 while on campaign with the 83rd New York Voluntary Infantry, 9th New York Militia, in the Shenandoah Valley. Hendrickson took part in the 2nd Battle of Bull Run and in the Battle of South Mountain.
Held at the New York Public Library.

Hussey, George A. History of the Ninth Regiment N.Y.S.M. -- N.G.S.N.Y. (Eighty-third N.Y. Volunteers.) 1845-1888. New York: Pub. under the auspices of veterans of the Regiment, 1889. http://www.archive.org/details/hist9thregiment00hussrich

Jaques, John Wesley. Three years' campaign of the Ninth N.Y.S.M., during the Southern rebellion, by John W. Jaques, formerly of Company D. New York: Hilton & co., 1865. http://www.archive.org/details/threeyearscampai00jaqu

Keyes, Leonhard A. Lineage of the Ninth Regiment of the State of New York. New York:244th Anti-aircraft Artillery Group, 1953.

McAfee, Michael J. "9th Regiment New York State Militia." Mil Images Magazine (Mar/Apr 1991): pp. 28-29 (2 photocopied pages)

Murray, R.L. New Yorkers in the Civil War. Wolcott, N.Y. Benedum Books, v. 3 2004.

New York (State). Militia. Regiment, 9th. The New York Ninth. Warrenton, VA: New York (State). Militia. Regiment, 9th, 1862.

New York (State). National Guard. Regiment, 9th. ; Veterans of the 9th Regiment Association. New York State National Guard, 9th Regiment collection, 1812-1961.
Description:    12.46 linear feet (in eleven boxes of various sizes, 14 free standing volumes, and one oversized folder)
Abstract:    This collection contains materials relating to the New York State National Guard, 9th Regiment. This military unit saw active service during the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II. While referred to as the 9th Regiment through the years, the unit was given many other formal designations over time, including the 83rd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment (Civil War) and the 244th Coastal Artillery. The contents of this collection were compiled over time by the Veterans of the Ninth Regiment and include some Civil War company records, commissions and certificates, minute books of the veterans' and officers' associations, general and special orders, scrapbooks, photographs, photograph albums, invitations, newspaper clippings, programs, and correspondence. Civil War era material includes several records from Companies A, C, I, and L including descriptive rolls, clothing reports, and morning reports; a petition from the regiment requesting release from service; a roll book for Company L said to have been taken from the corpse of a sergeant at Gettysburg; one edition of the regiment's camp newspaper; four albums of cartes-de-visite of officers and enlisted men who fought in the war; and other documents. Minute books for the Veterans Association span from 1871 to 1922, and there is a minute book for the Officers' Association of the 9th Coast Artillery Corps for 1917-1939. There is an extensive series of general and special orders from about 1890 to 1940 detailing daily activities, notifications for special events, enlistment information of certain men, and more. Much of the collection pulls together a variety of collected documents, photographs and scrapbooks that collectively illustrate the history of the regiment from the early 1800s to the 1950s. Individual soldiers are represented with commissions, discharge papers, photographs, and other documents, especially for the 1870s and later. Colonel James Roosevelt Hitchcock (died 1878) features prominently in this regard. Several files include histories and historical notes about the regiment, helping to trace its lineage and actions into the mid-twentieth century. There is a rich set of ephemera, including programs and invitations, related to the social activities of the 9th Regiment and the Veterans Association. There are many photographs, both in the albums and standalone, of the regiment in training camps.
Held at the New York Historical Society

New York Infantry. 9th Regiment. Washington's birthday : the Ninth Regiment and Veteran Corps. New York, 1883.

New York (State). National Guard. 244th Anti-aircraft Artillery Group (9th New York) Lineage of the Ninth Regiment of the State of New York. New York City, N.Y. Place of Manufacture: (New York, N.Y. 244th Anti-aircraft Artillery Group, Manufacturer: printed by Jeffrey & Foster) 1953.

Penny Family, (Elijah, Alfred, and Archibald Penny). Papers (1861-1865).
Description: 1 box (.25 cu. ft.).
Abstract: These papers are comprised chiefly of letters written by three members of the Penny family all of whom served in the U.S. Army during the Civil War. Generally, these letters relate mostly to their experiences of life in army camps, and various routine activities such as drill and picket duty. Finding aid available.
Located at the New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections.

Plass, William. Letters (1864).
Description: 3 Items
Abstract: Fragments of letters sent to Plass's wife from camp near City Point, Virginia. There is very little information regarding his military experiences.
Located at the New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections.

Potter, Orlando Brunson. "Oration of Orlando B. Potter on the dedication of the monument erected by the Ninth regiment, N.G.S.N.Y. Eighty-third volunteers, Sunday, July 1st, 1888, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania."

Prince, William R. Papers (1862-1867).
Description: 13 Items
Abstract: These papers include letters and various official documents relating to Prince's military service. One of the letters discusses the Battle of Antietam, where he was wounded in action.
Located at the New York State Library Manuscripts and Special Collections.

Records, Supplement, 1861-1923. 
Description: 9 v. +1 muster roll.
Abstract: Additional records, 1861-1923, including minutes of the Veterans Association (1871-1912), photograph albums, orders, and a scrapbook.
Note(s): Bio/History: Regiment served as the 83rd N.Y.S. Vols. during the Civil War.
General Info: Inventory in repository./ Curator's Manual./ Gift of the Veterans of the Ninth Regiment, 1986.
Located at the New York Historical Society, New York, NY.

Ross, James A. et al. "Willing to run the risks-- make any sacrifice--" : letters from the Civil War, Pvt. James Ross : 9th N.Y.S.M., Co. G, 83rd Reg't NY Infantry, August 1863-May 1864, [Va.] : [N.S. Brantley, L.B. Campbell], 2012.

Society of war veterans, Ninth regiment, New York state militia, (83d New York volunteers.). Hartford: Star print. co., 1887.

Souvenir opening of the Armory. Ninth regiment, N.G., N.Y., New York, February 22d 1897. New York: Freytag press, 1897.

Stevens, J.H. HCWRTColl
FlinchbaughColl (Testimonial for Capt Stevens by Veteran Union Club, ca 1864)
Located at the Military History Institute in Carlisle, PA.

Stokes, James Graham Phelps, 1872-1960. The gap in the lineage of the Ninth Regiment of the State of New York [I]: a reply to Leonhard A. Keyes, LL.M. 1 15 JUL 1953.

Stokes, James Graham Phelps, 1872-1960. The gap in the lineage of the Ninth Regiment of the State of New York [II]: a further reply to Leonhard A. Keyes, LL.M.. 2 4 NOV 1953.

United States.; Army.; New York Infantry Regiment, 83rd (1861-1864). The New York ninth. Warrenton, Va. : Jaques & Dailey, 1862
Frequency:    Weekly
Description:    Vol. 1, no. 1 (July 31, 1862)-; Ceased in 1862?; volumes ; 38 cm
Standard No:    LCCN: sn 84-24635
Last issue located: Vol. 1, no. 2 (Aug. 7, 1862). Cf. Cappon, L.J. Va. newspapers./ Audience: Published for the 9th regiment, N.Y. Militia, which enlisted in 1861 and became the 83rd New York Infantry.

United States. Army. New York Infantry Regiment, 83rd (1861-1864)  Fallen heroes : 9, New York State Mil.
Located at the National Archives and Records Administration.

 

Unit bibliograhy from the Army Heritage Center

Items in the museum collection are in bold.