37th New York Infantry Regiment

United States Regiments & Batteries > New York > 37th New York Infantry Regiment

“Irish Rifles”

The 37th New York Infantry Regiment lost 5 officers and 69 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded and 1 officer and 37 enlisted men to disease during the Civil War.

1861
Organized at New York City
June 7 The 37th New York Infantry Regiment mustered in for two years Federal service under the command of Colonel John H. McCunn, Lieutenant Colonel John Burke and Major Dennis C. Minton
June 23 Left State for Washington, D.C. by steamer for duty In the Defenses of Washington, D. C. 
August Attached to Hunter’s Brigade, Division of the Potomac. Companies H and I were detached as garrison at Fort Washington until March, 1862.
August 28 Private Thomas Rosney died in General Hospital at Washington of his wounds received while on picket duty at Bailey’s Cross Roads, the regiment’s first casualty.
September 4 Major Minton was discharged. Captain Gilbert Riordan of Company A was promoted to major
October Attached to Richardson’s Brigade, Heintzelman’s Division, Army of the Potomac
October 18 Reconnaissance to Pohick Church and Occoquan
November 11 Reconnaissance to Pohick Church and Occoquan
December 12 Captain Francis McHugh died of disease in hospital in Alexandria, Virginia
1862
January 7
Mason’s Neck

Three enlisted men were wounded
February 17 First Lieutenant and Adjutant Patrick Jones of Company H was promoted to major with rank from January 21
January 29
Lee’s House, Occoquan Bridge

The regiment lost 4 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 1 wounded
February 6 Lieutenant Colonel Burke was promoted to colonel of the 63rd New York Infantry Regiment
February 17 Major Gilbert promoted to lieutenant colonel with rank from January 21
February 24
Mason’s Creek

1 enlisted man was killed
March 17 Moved to the Peninsula, Va. and attached to 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 3rd Corps, Army of the Potomac
April 5-May 4 Siege of Yorktown
May 5

Battle of Williamsburg

The regiment lost Lieutenants Patrick Hays and James O’Leary, 1 other officer and 27 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded. Captains James Maguire and William De Lacy, Lieutenants Edmund Brown, John Massey, James Smith and 59 enlisted men were wounded. Two enisted men were missing.
May 22-30 Lost 2 enlisted men killed near Fair Oaks
May 31-June 1

Battle of Seven Pines or Fair Oaks

The regiment lost Lieutenant William Fennon and 13 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded. Captains Andrew Diegnan and John McConnell, Lieutenant William Bird, William Green, James Keelan, James Markey, 1 other officer and 60 enlisted men were wounded and 2 enlisted men were missing.

Captain James O’Beirne earned the Medal of Honor for gallantly maintaining the line of battle until ordered to fall back.
June 25-July 1

Seven days before Richmond
June 25

Oak Grove near Seven Pines
June 30

Charles City Cross Roads and Glendale

The regiment lost 8 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 38 enlisted men wounded and 35 missing.
July 1

Malvern Hill
July At Harrison’s Landing attached to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 3rd Corps.
August 16-27 Moved to Fortress Monroe, then to Centreville
August 28-September 2

Pope’s Campaign in Northern Virginia
August 29

Battle of Groveton

The regiment lost 3 enlisted men wounded
August 30

Second Battle of Bull Run (Second Manassas)
August 31 Colonel McCunn resigned to avoid court martial after criticising his commanding officer.
September 1

Battle of Chantilly
September Duty in the Defenses of Washington
September 28 Samuel B. Hayman mustered in as colonel
October – November Movement to Falmouth
October 8 Major Jones was promoted to Colonel of the 154th New York Infantry Regiment. Captain William De Lacy of Company K was promoted to major
December 12-15

Battle of Fredericksburg

The regiment was commanded by Colonel Samuel B. Hayman. It lost 9 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 25 enlisted men wounded and 1 man missing
Decmber 24 The regiment received the enlisted men of the 101st New York Infantry
1863
January 20-24

“Mud March”
February-April At Falmouth
April 27-May 6

Chancellorsville Campaign
April 29-May 1 Operations at Franklin’s Crossing
May 1-5

Battle of Chancellorsville

The regiment lost Lieutenant John Kiernan and 11 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, Captains Jonathan Barley, Richard Murphy and James O’Beirne, 1 other officer and 98 enlisted men wounded, and 1 officer and 107 enlisted men missing or captured.
June 22 The 37th New York Infantry Regiment mustered out at the expiration of its term, under the command of Colonel Hayman, Lieutenant Colonel Riordan and Major De Lacy; 225 three years men were transferred to the 40th Regiment New York Infantry Regiment.