128th New York Infantry Regiment

United States Regiments & Batteries > New York > 128th New York Infantry Regiment

The 128th New York Infantry Regiment lost 2 officers and 58 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 officers and 203 enlisted men to disease during the Civil War out of 960 original enlistees and 173 recruits.

There is a monument to the 128th New York on the Cedar Creek battlefield.

1862
Organized at Hudson, N.Y.
September 4 The 128th New York Infantry Regiment mustered in under the command of Colonel David S. Cowles.
September 5 Left State for Washington, D.C.
September Attached to Defenses of Washington and Baltimore, Md.
December Moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, and duty at Camps Parapet and Kenner attached to 1st Brigade, Sherman’s Division, Department of the Gulf.
1863
March 20 Expedition to Ponchatoula
March 24-26 Ponchatoula
April 7 Barratara
April 18 Gainesville
May 13 Ponchatoula
May 15 Camp Moore
May 21-23 Moved to New Orleans, then to Port Hudson, Louisiana and attached to 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 19th Corps, Department of the Gulf
May 24-July 9

Siege of Port Hudson

The regiment lost 22 men killed, 100 wounded and 6 missing during the siege.
May 27

Assault on Port Hudson

Colonel David S. Cowles was mortally wounded in the assault. Lieutenant Colonel James Smith took over command of the regiment, and was promoted to colonel.
June 14

Assault on Port Hudson
July 9 Surrender of Port Hudson
July 11 Moved to Baton Rouge
July 15 To Donaldsonville
July Duty at Donaldsonville and at Baton Rouge
1864
January Attached to 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 19th Corps
February Attached to 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 19th Corps, Department of the Gulf
Early in the year Colonel Smith resigned due to detriorating health.
March 23-May 22

Red River Campaign
March 25-
April 12		 Duty at Alexandria
April 13 Grand Ecore
April 21-26 Retreat to Alexandria
April 23

Monett’s Ferry, Cane River Crossing

The regiment lost 10 men killed and wounded in a charge, taking many prisoners and being the first to cross the river and plant its colors on the hill.
April 30-May 10 Construction of dam at Alexandria
May 13-20 Retreat to Morganza
May 16 Mansura
May 30-June 6 Expedition from Morganza to the Atchafalaya
June At Morganza
July 3-29 Moved to New Orleans, then to Fortress Monroe, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
August 7-
November 28

Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign

Attached to Army of the Shenandoah, Middle Military Division, 19th Corps, 2nd Division, 3rd Brigade 
September 19

Third Battle of Winchester (or Opequon)

The regiment lost 5 officers and 52 enlisted men killed or wounded. Major Francis S. Keese was badly wounded.
September 22

Battle of Fisher’s Hill

The regiment lost 22 men killed and wounded.
October 19

Battle of Cedar Creek

The regiment was on the left flank of the 19th Corps line, the location marked by a monument along the Valley Pike, when it was struck in the flank by Early’s dawn attack. After a brief and violent fight the entire corps was forced to retreat. It reformed three miles in the rear and took part in the afternoon counterattack that overwhelmed Early’s army. The 128th New York lost 105 casualties in the battle, nearly half its strength.
October –
December		 Duty at Kernstown and Winchester
1865
January 5-22 Moved to Savannah, Georgia and attached to 3rd Brigade, Grover’s Division, District of Savannah, Georgia, Department of the South
March 5 Moved to Wilmington, North Carolina and attached to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 10th Corps, Army of the Ohio
March 10 To Morehead City, North Carolina
April 8 Moved to Goldsboro
May 2 To Savannah. Attached to District of Savannah, Georgia Dept. of the South
July 12 The 128th New York Infantry Regiment mustered out under the command of Captain Thomas N. Davis at Savannah, Georgia.