8th New York Infantry Regiment

The 8th New York Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was also known as the First German Rifles or Blenker's Rifles.Template:SfnpTemplate:Sfnp

Service

File:The photographic history of the Civil War - thousands of scenes photographed 1861-65, with text by many special authorities (1911) (14576207738).jpg

8th New York officers garbed in the same uniforms that they wore to the Mexican War

File:Flag of the 8th New York Infantry Regiment (Reverse).svg

Reverse of the Regimental flag.

The 8th (the ist German Rifles) was recruited in New York City, there mustered into federal service on April 2Zy 1861, for two years, and left for Washington on May 27 under the command of Col. Louis Blenker. At Miller's Farm the troops encamped and on July 10 were ordered to move toward Manassas as part of the 2nd brigade, 4th division of the Army of the Potomac. During the battle of Bull Run the 8th was held in reserve and assisted in covering the retreat.Template:SfnmpTemplate:SfnpTemplate:Sfnp At the beginning of the battle, Varian's New York Battery under the regiment were only one of two 3-month service volunteer units to refuse participation and walk away from the battlefield. Both units were strongly criticized for its actions.

The following winter it was quartered at Roach's Mills and Hunter's Chapel, VA, moved to Winchester in March, 1862, and in May joined Maj. Gen. Fremont at Petersburg. It participated in the pursuit of Lieut. Gen. Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley, and as part of Blenker's division fought at the battles of Cross Keys and New Market. In the battle of Cross Keys its killed, wounded and missing numbered 220 out of a total of 550 engaged.Template:SfnmpTemplate:SfnpTemplate:Sfnp

At Middletown, the 8th was assigned to the 1st brigade, 1st division, I Corps, Army of Virginia, under Maj. Gen. Pope, and with that army took part in the battles of Sulphur springs and the second Bull Run. In September, it became a part of XI Corps and reached Fredericksburg immediately after the battle; camped during the winter at Stafford Court House and Brooks' station, and was mustered out of the service at the latter place on April 23, 1863.Template:SfnmpTemplate:SfnpTemplate:Sfnp

The members whose term of service had not expired were formed into one company, the independent company 8th NY, and performed guard duty at the corps headquarters until April 5, 1864, when they were assigned to the 68th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The 8th lost 93 members by death from wounds, and 40 from disease, accident and imprisonment.

Casualties

The regiment suffered 369 fatalities.

Commanders

• Colonel Louis BlenkerTemplate:NoteTag
• Colonel Julius StahelTemplate:NoteTag
• Colonel Francis Wutschell
• Colonel Felix Salm-SalmTemplate:NoteTag

See also

• 8th Regiment New York State Militia Infantry - served as the "8th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment" during the Spanish–American War
• List of New York Civil War regiments

References

Sources

1. REDIRECT Template:Source-attribution

1. REDIRECT Template:Source-attribution

1. REDIRECT Template:Source-attribution

External links

• New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center - Civil War - 8th Infantry Regiment History, photograph, table of battles and casualties, Civil War newspaper clippings, and historical sketch, for the 8th New York Infantry Regiment.