163rd Infantry Regiment

Nickname: Third Regiment, Empire Brigade

Mustered in: October 10, 1862
Transferred to 73rd regiment of infantry: January 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 was authorized as one of the regiments of the Empire, Spinola, Brigade; Hale Kingsley was appointed Colonel of the same July 11, 1862, and succeeded later by Cols. Mariott N. Croft and F. H. Braulich; under the latter the regiment, ten companies, consolidated into six companies, was organized in New York city, and it" was mustered in the service of the United States for three years October 10 and 11, 1862, at Washington, D. C. The companies were recruited principally in New York city, Brooklyn and Jamaica.
The regiment left the State October 5, 1862; it served in Carroll's Brigade, Whipple's Division, defenses of Washington, from October, 1862; in the 2d Brigade, 3d Division, 3d Corps, from November, 1862; and, under Lieut.-Col. John B. Leverich, it was transferred to the 73rd Infantry, January 20, 1863.
During its service the regiment lost by death, killed in action, 3 officers, 7 enlisted men; of wounds received in action, 8 enlisted men; of disease and other causes, 8 enlisted men; total, 3 officers, 23 enlisted men; aggregate, 26.

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. 
One Hundred and Sixty-third Infantry.—Lieut.-Col., John B. Leverick; Maj., James J. Byrne. The 163d, the 3d regiment of the Empire brigade, had only a brief independent existence, though long enough to establish itself as a brave organization. Its companies were recruited in the summer of 1862, principally in New York city, Brooklyn and Jamaica, and the regiment was organized at New York city, its ten companies being consolidated into six, under Col. F. H. Braulick. It left the state Oct. 5, 1862, and proceeded to Washington, where it was mustered into the U. S. service for three years, Oct. 11, 1862. It remained at Washington until in November, when it was engaged in skirmishes at Cedar creek and Waterloo, and the following month was attached to Carroll's (2nd) brigade, Whipple's (3d) division, 3d corps, with which it fought at Fredericksburg with a loss of 10 killed, 46 wounded and 5 missing. Lieut. William Davis, Sergt.-Maj. Richard F. Tighe, Color-Sergt. Ernest Funk, and Orderly Sergt. Charles R. Near, were promoted on the field for bravery exhibited in the face of the enemy. On Jan. 20, 1863, under Lieut.-Col. John B. Leverick, it was transferred to the 73d N. Y. Gen. Whipple in announcing the order of consolidation said: "The general commanding desires to assure the officers and men of the gallant 163d regiment, that his separation from them is a most painful one. By uniform good conduct in camp and on the march, and especially by bravery in battle, the regiment has won the approbation and confidence of all, and although it goes to add lustre to another organization, it has given renown to the colors and to the men of the 163d New York." It lost during service 3 officers and 15 men killed and mortally wounded, and 8 men died of disease.

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.

 

Items the museum holds are in bold.