164th New York Infantry Regiment

United States Regiments & Batteries > New York > 164th New York Infantry Regiment

“Corcoran Guard”

The 164th New York Infantry Regiment lost 10 officers and 106 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded out of a total enlistment of 928 men during the Civil War. Nine officers and 189 enlisted men were wounded,and 3 officers and 126 enlisted men were lost to disease, of whom 2 officers and 84 enlisted men died in Confederate captivity.

1862
September – October Organized at New York City under the authority of Colonel John E. McMahon as part of the Corcoran Legion, a brigade of Irish troops.
November 6 Left New York for Newport News, Virginia.
November 19 Reorganized at Newport News, Va., and mustered in under Colonel John McMahon, Lieutenant Colonel Burke and Major Michael Smith. Attached to District of Newport News, Va., Department of Virginia.
December At Suffolk, Va. Attached to Corcoran’s Brigade, Division of Suffolk, 7th Corps, Department of Virginia
1863
January 30

Action at Deserted House, Virginia.

The regiment lost 1 enlisted man killed, 1 wounded and 2 missing.
March 3 Colonel John McMahon died of disease at Buffalo, New York.
March 23 Lieutenant Colonel James P. McMahon (John’s brother, one of three McMahon brothers who became Union colonels) transferred from the 155th New York Infantry and was promoted to colonel.
April Attached to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 7th Corps
April 12-May 4

Siege of Suffolk

The regiment lost 3 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded and 1 officer and 6 enlisted men wounded
April 15 and 24 Edenton Road
May 3 Providence Church Road, Nansemond River
May 4

Siege of Suffolk raised
May 12 Blackwater
June 17

Blackwater

The regiment lost 1 enlisted man killed and 1 officer and 10 enlisted men wounded
June 21 Lieutenant Colonel Burke was dismissed.
June 24-July 7

Dix’s Peninsula Campaign
July 12 Moved to Washington, D.C. Attached to Corcoran’s Brigade, King’s Division, 22nd Corps, Department of Washington.
July Provost duty in the defenses of Washington and at Alexandria, Virginia, and guard duty on the Orange & Alexandria Railroad
September 29 Lieutenant John Dunn died of disease at Brooklyn, New York.
October 19 Major William DeLacy of the 37th New York Infantry transferred in and was commissioned lieutenant colonel
November Attached to 1st Brigade, Corcoran’s Division, 22nd Corps, Department of Washington
December Transferred to the 2nd Brigade, Tyler’s Division, 22nd Corps, Department of Washington.
1864
May Ordered to join Army of the Potomac in the field and attached to 4th Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Corps
May 17 to June 15

Rapidan (Overland) Campaign
May 17-21

Spotsylvania Court House

Lieutenants James O’Sullivan and Charles Watters and 21 enlisted men were killed or mortally wounded, Lieutenant Colonel DeLacy and 59 enlisted men wounded, and 7 men missing
May 23-26

North Anna River

The regiment lost 1 enlisted man wounded
May 26-28 On line of the Pamunkey
May 28-31

Totopotomoy
June 1-12

Cold Harbor

The 164th New York Infantry Regiment successfully took the Confederate position in its immediate front, with Colonel McMahon personally planting the colors on the works before being killed. Unfortunately, the regiment was not supported and was forced to fall back, losing heavily.

Colonel James P. McMahon, Captains Thomas Hickey and William Moroney, Lieutenants Joseph Abrahams, Robert Boyle, Edward McCaffrey and James Reddy, and 53 enlisted men were killed or mortally wounded, Captain David Beattie and 41 enlisted men were wounded, and Captains Beattie, Hickey and Moroney, Lieutenant Boyle and 50 enlisted men were captured or missing
June Assigned to 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac
June 16-18

First Assault on Petersburg

The regiment lost 11 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded. Sergeant John Brosnan was awarded the Medal of Honor for “Rescued a wounded comrade who lay exposed to the enemy’s fire, receiving a severe wound in the effort.” Sergeant Brosnan would lose his arm as the result of his wound.
June 19-April 2

Siege of Petersburg

During the nine month siege the regiment lost 23 enlisted men wounded exclusinve of the casualties listed in the battles below.
June 22-23

Jerusalem Plank Road, Weldon Railroad

The regiment lost 4 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, plus Lieutenants John Crimmings, George Davidson, John McCarth and Charles Thornton and 44 enlisted men wounded, and 1 man missing since June 16.
July 9 Lieutenant Colonel DeLacy was promoted to colonel
July 12 Major Michael Smith was discharged for disability
July 27-29 Demonstration on north side of James River
July 27-28

Deep Bottom

Major John Beattie commanded the regiment.
July 31 Adjutant John Beattie was promoted to major effective July 12.
August 13-20 Demonstration north of James River
August 14-18

Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom

The regiment lost 1 enlisted man wounded
August 25

Ream’s Station

The 164th New York Infantry Regiment lost 9 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 9 enlisted men wounded, and Major John Beattie, Captains Timothy Kelly, Bernard O’Reilly and Michael O’Rorke, Lieutenants Thomas Cantwell, James Etchingham, Thomas McGurn, John Ryan and Hugh MacTavish, and 98 enlisted men captured.
October 27-28
Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher’s Run

The regiment lost 2 enlisted men wounded, 1 mortally, and 5 men missing
1865
February 5-7

Dabney’s Mills, Hatcher’s Run

Lieutenant Hugh MacTavish was mortally wounded and 2 enlisted man were wounded.
March 25

Watkins’ House

Colonel DeLacy wounded
March 26 Lieutenant Michael Stapleton died of disease in Washington
March 28-April 9

Appomattox Campaign

The regiment was commanded by Captain Timothy J. Burke. It lost 2 enlisted men wounded, 1 mortally.
March 30-31 Boydton Road
March 31 Crow’s House
April 2

Fall of Petersburg
April 3-9 Pursuit of Lee
April 6

Sailor’s Creek
April 7

High Bridge, Farmville
April 9

Appomattox Court House

Surrender of Lee and his army.
April At Burkesville
May 2-12 March to Washington, D.C.
May 23 Grand Review
June-July Duty at Washington
July 15 The 164th New York Infantry Regiment mustered out under the command of Colonel William DeLacy, and Major John Beattie.