10th Infantry Regiment

Mustered in: November 23,1861.
Mustered out: June 27, 1865

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, Col. Waters W. McChesney, was accepted and designated by the State May 15, 1861. It was organized in New York city, and the companies were mustered in the service of the United States for two years: A and B, April 27; C, D, E, F, G and H, April 30; I and K, May 2 and 7, 1861, respectively. At the expiration of its term of service the three years' men were formed into a battalion of four companies - A, B, C and D-under Maj. George F. Harper, and May 7, 1863, the regiment, under Col. John E. Bendix, was honorably discharged and mustered out at New York city, while the battalion continued in service. Companies E and F, mustered in the United States service for three years, joined the battalion in April, 1864. June 15, 1865, Companies Land M, 8th N. Y. Volunteer Artillery, became, by transfer, Companies H and G of the battalion, a Company I was formed of the men of Companies B, C and E, and a Company K of the men of Companies A, D and F, 8th N. Y. Volunteer Artillery, not mustered out with their regiment; a few of the men of these last six companies were also transferred to the original six companies of the battalion. June 20, 1865, Company F received, by transfer, 15 men of the 16th N. Y. Volunteer Cavalry.
The companies were recruited principally: A- the original National Guard Zouaves -I and K at New York city; B in Troy; C-the Volunteer State Zouaves-D, E, G and H in New York city; F-Morgan State Zouaves-in Brooklyn; second Companies E and F in New York city.
The regiment left the State, June 6, 1861, and served at and near Fort Monroe, Va., from June 7, 1861; at Norfolk, Va., 7th Corps, from May, 1862; in the 3d Brigade, 2d Division, 5th Corps, Army of the Potomac, from June 7, 1862; in the 3d Brigade, 3d Division, 2d Corps, from September 24, 1862; as Provost Guard of General Sumner's Grand Division, Army of the Potomac, from December 7, 1862; in 3d Brigade, 3d Division, 2d Corps, Army of the Potomac, from December 26, 1862; the battalion as Provost Guard, 3d Division, 2d Corps, from April 27, 1863; with 2d Brigade, 3d Division, 2d Corps, from June, 1863; and in the 3d Brigade, 2d Division, 2d Corps, from March, 1864. The regiment, commanded by Col. Joel B. Baker, was honorably discharged and mustered out, June 30, 1865, at Munson's Hill, Va.
During its service it lost by death, killed in action, 4 officers, 77 enlisted men; of wounds received in action, 2 officers, 47 enlisted men; of disease and other causes, 3 officers, 86 enlisted men; total, 9 officers, 210 enlisted men; aggregate. 219.

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.

Tenth Infantry.—Cols., Walter W. McChesney, John E. Bendix, Joseph Yeamans, George F. Hopper; Lieut.-Cols., Alexander B. Elder, John W. Marshall, George F. Hopper, Anthony L. Woods; Majs., John W. Marshall, John Missing, George F. Hopper, Anthony L. Woods, Charles W. Cowtan. The l0th, the National Zouaves, was recruited in New York city and Brooklyn and mustered into the U. S. service, April 27 and 30 and May 2 and 7, 1861, for two years. From Sandy Hook, where it was encamped, the regiment embarked for Fortress Monroe on June 5, and was ordered to join the reserve during the battle of Big Bethel. Headquarters were established at Camp Hamilton, near Fortress Monroe, and here the regiment was stationed until the opening of the campaign on the Peninsula the following year. In May, 1862, the l0th moved to Norfolk and Portsmouth and on June 7, was attached to the 3d brigade, 2nd division, 5th corps, which it joined at Bottom's bridge on the Chickahominy. It was active in the Seven Days' battles, encamped at Harrison's Landing until late in August, when it returned to Newport News, whence it was ordered to Manassas and fought bravely in the second Bull Run, losing 115 men in killed, wounded and missing. At South mountain and Antietam, it was held in reserve; was in action at Shepherdstown, after which it was assigned to the 3d brigade, 3d division, 2nd corps, with which it fought at Fredericksburg, where almost one-half of the members of the regiment who went into action were killed, wounded or missing. A portion of the winter was spent in the performance of guard duty at headquarters and the original two years members not reenlisted were mustered out at New York on May 7, 1863. The remainder of the regiment was consolidated into a battalion of four companies, to which were later added two companies of new recruits and the veterans of the 8th N. Y. artillery. The battalion was made provost guard of the 3d division, 2nd corps and in March, 1864, was attached to the 3d brigade, 2nd division, 2nd corps. It was active at the Wilderness, where the loss was 95 members, at Spottsylvania, Laurel hill, the North Anna river, Totopotomy and Cold Harbor. It then served during the long siege of Petersburg, being engaged in the early assaults on the works there, at the Weldon railroad, Deep Bottom, Strawberry plains, Reams' station, the Boydton road, Hatcher's run. White Oak road, and in the final assault on the fortifications, April 2, 1865. In the pursuit which followed the evacuation, the l0th was in line with its brigade and performed guard duty near Richmond until the welcome orders to return home. The 10th was mustered out at Munson's hill, Va., June 30, 1865. During its term of service, it lost 130 by death from wounds and 89 by death from accident, imprisonment or disease.

10thInfNat2003.0287.jpg

10th Regiment NY Volunteer Infantry | National Color | Civil War

The 10th Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry, or “National Zouaves,” is thought to have received this 34-star, silk national color from the City of…

More
10thInfRegimental2004.0017.jpg

10th Regiment NY Volunteer Infantry | Regimental Color | Civil War

The 10th Regiment NY Volunteer Infantry received this blue, silk Regimental Color from the City of New York. The flag features the Arms of the State…

More

NYSMM Online Resources

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

Muster Roll

Unit Roster

Newspaper Clippings

Historical Sketch

Monument at Gettysburg

Search the Museum catalog for this unit

Click Here

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.

Baker, Joel B. and Naomi B. Baker. Letters home, Joel B. Baker : a collection of "letters home" from the Civil War written by Colonel Joel B. Baker and compiled by his great-grandaughter, Naomi B. Baker. [Delevan, NY: N.B. Baker]; Lockport, NY: C.W. Baker Agency [distributor], 1996.

Civil War Military Service Record of Rufus Farnsworth of New York.
Description: 9 sheets ; 23 x 35 cm.
Abstract: Includes: Military Service Record of Lieut., Rufus Farnsworth, Co. F. 10th N.Y. Inf.; War Department Record and Pension Division no. 443,727 dated June 14, 1891; Genearl Affidavit; Affidavit that the Claimant has not Remarried, and that She is without other Means of Support than Her Daily Labor; Declaration of Widows Pension; Secondary Proof of Marriage; Office of the Department of Health, a Transcript from the Record of Deaths in the City of Brooklyn (WC298-786).
Located at Sons of Revolution, State of California.

Cowtan, Charles W. Charles W. Cowtan Papers. 1861. Archival material.
Abstract: Correspondence, 1861-1916, between Charles W. Cowtan and various military and civilian figures relating to the 10th New York Volunteers during the Civil War. Also includes certificates relating to his military commissions and service, and to his membership in various veterans' groups, such as the Grand Army of the Republic and Masonic Veterans. Also includes a typewritten account of Cowtan's experience in the Civil War, a casualty list, and muster-out lists.
Located at New York Public Library.

Cowtan, Charles W. Services of the Tenth New York volunteers (National zouaves) in the War of the rebellion, by Charles W. Cowtan, late Adjutant of the Regiment. . . . New York, Charles H. Ludwig, 1882. 459, ( 1) p. front. (illus.), plates (5 maps, 3 fold.).
Available online at:
http://books.google.com/books?id=Ik0IAAAAQAAJ&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false
Thank you to Bill Burgess for pointing out that this book is online.

Dewey, George M, and Steven B. Arnold. "a Civil War Soldiers Letters": Lieutenant George Melville Dewey of Granby, Connecticut. 2009.
Letters of George Melville Dewey of Granby, Connecticut who served in the 10th New York Volunteer Infantry, interspersed with historical background. The second half of the book consists of genealogical information on the Dewey and Markham families./ Includes bibliographical references (pages 339-348) and index.
Located at the Connecticut State Library, Hartford, CT.

Hopper, George. The George Hopper papers, 1860-1892. 
Description: 1 box.
Abstract: Contains the following types of materials: correspondence, and clippings. Contains information pertaining to the following war and time period: Civil War. Contains information pertaining to the following military unit and organization: 10th New York Volunteers. General description of the collection: The Alfred K. Schroeder papers contain chiefly his letters written mainly to his uncle and letters received from other family members. It also contains the casualty list of the 10th New York Volunteers and pre-war letters describing the secession crisis.
Located at the US Army Military History Institute.

McAfee, Michael J. "10th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment ('National Zouaves'), 1861-1865." Military Collector & Historian. 29 :4 (Winter 1977) 179-181.

Monegan, William L. William Monegan Letters, 1861-1862. Archival material.
Abstract: This collection features the Civil War correspondence of William Lee Monegan to his brother Joseph (Joe) Monegan from June 1861 to July 1862 and contains several letters from friends and acquaintances. Monegan wrote the majority of the letters in this collection while serving with the 10th New York Infantry (Volunteer) at Fort Monroe, participating in the Peninsula Campaign. Starting with his journey from New York, Monegan's letters describe the first year of the U.S. Civil War in the Hampton Roads area. Of particular interest are Monegan's account of the battle between the Federal ironclad USS Monitor and the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia on March 9, 1862. He also describes such events as the burning of Hampton, the capture of Yorktown by Federal forces, the battle for Norfolk, and the Federal attempt to capture Richmond. The letters end before Monegan resigned his commission in the fall of 1862.
Located at the Mariners' Museum Library, Newport News, VA.

Monegan, William L, and Joseph Monegan. Monday, Aug. 19th, 1861: Fortess Monroe., Va., 1861.
Abstract: Two page letter to brother Joe. Monegan tells of his promotion to 1st Lieutenant and the arrival of General John E. Wool. He also relates that he has been paid and discusses the cost of food.
Located at the Mariners' Museum Library, Newport News, VA. View online here.

Monegan, William L, and Joseph Monegan. Jany 18th 1862: Fortress Monroe, Va., 1862.
William Lee Monegan served in the 10th Regiment, Company C. 
Abstract: Two-page letter addressed to his brother Joe. Monegan relates that he is sending Joe 70 1/2 dollars via Captain Louther. He also discusses his personal financial issues due to his expensive trip to New York, and asks that Joe treat Captain Louther well when he visits. Includes envelope. 
Located at the Mariners' Museum Library, Newport News, VA. View online here.

Monegan, William L, and Joseph Monegan. Nov. 12th 1861: Fortress Monroe, 1861.
Six-page letter addressed to his brother Joe. Monegan writes of a large fire in the vicinity of Norfolk and Craney Island. He also discusses a large force of Confederate troops at Big Bethel and complains about not receiving a promotion to captain. There is a brief reference to the steamer Great Republic./ Includes envelope.
Located at the Mariners' Museum Library, Newport News, VA. View online here.

Poor, Walter S. Correspondence, 1861 Apr.-1865 Sep.
Description: 1 box (98 items)
Abstract: Letters sent, 1861 Apr.-1865 Sep., by Union soldier Walter Stone Poor to his sister, Mary S. Poor, and his friend (later, brother-in-law), George W. Fox, secretary of the American Unitarian Association, Boston. Poor writes of his experiences and sentiments while serving with the 10th New York Volunteers in Virginia, then as an officer with 1st New York Mounted Rifles, his opinions and abolitionist convictions, his views on the performance of army officals and his fellow soldiers, engagements with the enemy, life in the army, taking of prisoners, etc.; as well as personal matters and family affairs. In addition to the original letters, the Society has photocoppies of typed transcipts of the Poor correspondence.
Located at the New York Historical Society.
There is a photo of Walter Stone Poor at Bowdin College in Maine.

Roberts, Eugene F., and Julia Boulware. Eugene F. Roberts Papers. 1862. Archival Material.
Comprised of one series: Personal Papers. Within this series there are sixteen letters written between Roberts and Julia Boulware, while Roberts served as Lieutenant of the New York 10th Zouaves and the 82nd U.S. Colored Infranty Regiment, Corps de Afrique. The other two items in this collection are a handwritten poem, presumably written by Roberts and a woodcut of one of his military headquarters.
Located at University of Rochester River Campus Library. http://www.lib.rochester.edu/index.cfm?page=4898

Twenty-fifth anniversary of the muster into the service of the United States of the Tenth Regiment of New York Volunteer Infantry (National Zouaves). New York: C.H. Ludwig, Printer, 1886.

Waud, Alfred R. Warrens Brigade overpowered by Longstreets advance.
Description: 1 drawing on green paper : pencil and Chinese white ; 15.3 x 33.2 cm. (sheet).
Located online at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3g09832 [link opens new window].

Weeks, Andrew J. Papers, 1861-1902, 1862-1866.
Abstract: Chiefly letters, 1862-1866, of Andrew J. Weeks who served as a sergeant in the Tenth Regiment of New York Infantry Volunteers and as a fireman on board the US. S. Dumbarton, the U.S.S. Princeton and the U.S.S. New Hampshire. Most of the letters were written to his sister Hannah Weeks of Merrick, Long Island, N.Y. He One letter concerns the Merrimack, the Cumberland and the Ericcson. Weeks was stationed at Fort Monroe, as part of the James River flotilla near Richmond, at Gosport Navy Yard, the Philadelphia Navy Yard and at Port Royal, S.C.
Located at Manuscripts and Rare Books Department, Swem Library, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA.

Wilkin, Alexander, and Sarah W. Coleman. Alexander Wilkin and Family Papers, 1770-1965 (bulk 1830-1894). Archival material.
Abstract: Includes photocopied manuscript correspondence, some with typed transcriptions; deeds and other legal documents; manuscript and printed invitations; and typed transcripts of newspaper articles that relate to the family and career of the first Secretary of Minnesota Territory...After 1840 the papers relate primarily to Alexander, with a smaller portion related to his younger brother Westcott. Topics include...his service during the Civil War and his death at the Battle of Tupelo, Mississippi (1861-1864)...Most of the original material from which photocopies and transcriptions were made is owned by the St. Paul Companies.
Located at Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN.

 

Items in the museum collection are in bold.