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147th New York Infantry

Editor’s Note: Do you have information on this regiment’s role at the Siege of Petersburg?  Please contact us using the Contact button in the menu at the top of the screen.  We are happy to exchange information with other researchers.

Muster In: Organized at Oswego, N.Y., and mustered in September 22, 1862.1
Muster Out: June 7, 18652

Commander(s):
Colonel Francis C. Miller
Commander Image

Lieutenant Colonel George Harney
Commander Image

Major Dennis B. Dailey (of the 6th WI)
Commander Image

Captain John McKinlock
Commander Image

Captain James Coey
Commander Image

Captain James A. McKinley
Commander Image

First Offensive Order of Battle: Second Brigade | Fourth Division | V Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army3,4

Second Offensive Order of Battle: Second Brigade | Fourth Division | V Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army6,7

Third Offensive Order of Battle: Second Brigade | Fourth Division | V Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army10,11

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel George Harney (July 31, 1864)12
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Fourth Offensive Order of Battle:

Second Brigade | Fourth Division | V Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army (August 1-?, 1864)13

Third Brigade | Second Division | V Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army (August ?-31, 1864)14

  • Commander: Lieutenant Colonel George Harney (August 21 & 31, 1864)15,16
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Fifth Offensive Order of Battle: Third Brigade | Third Division | V Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army17,18,19

Sixth Offensive Order of Battle: Third Brigade | Third Division | V Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army22,23

  • Commander:
    • Lieutenant Colonel George Harney (late October, 1864)24
    • Captain John McKinlock (at least from October 29 & 31, 186425,26
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons: Enfield Rifles (later Spencer Rifles?)27

Seventh Offensive Order of Battle: Third Brigade | Third Division | V Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army28,29

  • Commander: Captain James Coey (December 31, 1864)30
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: This regiment participated in Warren’s Stony Creek, or “Apple Jack” Raid to Belfield and Hicksford, Virginia from December 7-12, 1864.31

Eighth Offensive Order of Battle: Third Brigade | Third Division | V Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army32,33,34

  • Commander:
    • Captain James Coey (January 31, 1865)35
    • Colonel Francis C. Miller (February 28, 1865)36
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: Veterans and Recruits of the 76th New York transferred to 147th Regiment New York Infantry, January 28, 1865.37
  • Note: This unit is listed in the casualty returns for the Battle of Hatcher’s Run, February 5-7, 1865, implying it was present during the Eighth Offensive and the battle.38

Ninth Offensive Order of Battle: Third Brigade | Third Division | V Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army39,40

  • Commander:
    • Major Dennis B. Dailey (of the 6th WI)(wounded March 31)(March 31, 1865)41
    • Captain James A. McKinley (March 31-April 2, 1865)42
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Dyer’s/Sifakis’ Compendium Info:
Siege of Petersburg Battles43:

  • Before Petersburg June 16-18.
  • Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865.
  • Mine Explosion, Petersburg, July 30, 1864 (Reserve).
  • Weldon Railroad August 18-21.
  • Poplar Springs Church, Peeble’s Farm, September 29-October 2.
  • Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher’s Run, October 27-28.
  • Warren’s Raid on Weldon Railroad December 7-12.
  • Dabney’s Mills, Hatcher’s Run, February 5-7, 1865.
  • Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9.
  • Lewis Farm, near Gravelly Run, March 29.
  • White Oak Road March 31.
  • Five Forks April 1.
  • Fall of Petersburg April 2.
  • Pursuit of Lee April 3-9.
  • Appomattox Court House April 9.
  • Surrender of Lee and his army.

Bibliography:

Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Unit:

Sources:

  1. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
  2. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
  3. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 225
  4. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 546
  5. Volume 14 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 147th New York Entry, Page 5; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
  6. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 225
  7. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 546
  8. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 546
  9. Volume 14 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 147th New York Entry, Page 5; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
  10. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), page 256
  11. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 733
  12. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 733
  13. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 125: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces (August 1864)”: At some point after the Battle of Globe Tavern ended on August 21, 1864 the Fourth Division, Fifth Corps, Army of the Potomac ceased to exist and its units were parceled out to the rest of the Fifth Corps.  The Official Records, XLII, Part 2, page 800 contains General Orders #35 from September 12, 1864 detailing the changes.  However, the table in OR, Vol. XLII, Part 2, page 614 showing the organization of the Army of the Potomac on August 31, 1864 already has the Fourth Division, Fifth Corps broken up.  More research is needed.
  14. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 2 (Serial Number 88), page 615: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864”
  15. Aldridge, Katherine M. No Freedom Shrieker: The Civil War Letters of Union Soldier Charles Biddlecom (Paramount Market Publishing, 2012), p. 211.: In a letter written on August 21, 1864, Private Charles Biddlecom of the 147th New York gives his regimental commander as Harney and the brigade commander as Colonel Hofmann.
  16. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 2 (Serial Number 88), page 615: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864”
  17. Sommers, Richard J. “Grant’s Fifth Offensive at Petersburg: A Study in Strategy, Tactics, and Generalship.  The Battle of Poplar Spring Church, the First Battle of the Darbytown Road, the Second Battle of the Squirrel Level Road, the Second Battle of the Darbytown Road (Ulysses S. Grant, Virginia).” Doctoral Thesis. Rice University, 1970. Print. p. 1300.
  18. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 140: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces (September-October 1864)”
  19. Aldridge, Katherine M. No Freedom Shrieker: The Civil War Letters of Union Soldier Charles Biddlecom (Paramount Market Publishing, 2012), p. 214.: Biddlecom writes of the transfer of the 147th presumably some time early in September 1864 to the Third Division, V Corps.  The brigade mostly stayed intact, losing two Delaware regiments (3rd and 4th?) and the 157th Pennsylvania.  As of September 17, 1864, the brigade consisted of the 147th New York, 76th New York, 95th New York, and 56th Pennsylvania.
  20. Volume 15 (Ordnance Returns for the Third Quarter, July-September, 1864); 147th New York Entry, Page 124; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
  21. Volume 15 (Ordnance Returns for the Third Quarter, July-September, 1864); 147th New York Entry, Page 124; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
  22. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 461: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)”
  23. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 157: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces…Boydton Plank Road, Va., October 27-28, 1864”
  24. Aldridge, Katherine M. No Freedom Shrieker: The Civil War Letters of Union Soldier Charles Biddlecom (Paramount Market Publishing, 2012), p. 230.: In a letter written on October 29, 1864, Private Charles Biddlecom of the 147th New York mentions Lt. Col. Harney was killed or captured in the Battle of Boydton Plank Road.  Further research is needed.
  25. Aldridge, Katherine M. No Freedom Shrieker: The Civil War Letters of Union Soldier Charles Biddlecom (Paramount Market Publishing, 2012), p. 231.: In a letter written on October 29, 1864, Private Charles Biddlecom of the 147th New York mentions Lt. Col. Harney was killed or captured in the Battle of Boydton Plank Road.  He later mentions Captain McKinlock was the new regimental commander.
  26. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 461: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)”
  27. Aldridge, Katherine M. No Freedom Shrieker: The Civil War Letters of Union Soldier Charles Biddlecom (Paramount Market Publishing, 2012), p. 225, 230.: In a letter written on October 14, 1864, Private Charles Biddlecom of the 147th New York mentions that the 147th New York will soon receive Spencer Repeating Rifles to replace their current Enfields.  Did this ever happen?  A later letter on October 26, 1864 indicates the 147th was still equipped with Enfields.  A review of the Union Ordnance returns should clear this up.  Further research is needed.
  28. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1118: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864)
  29. Calkins, Chris. “The Apple Jack Raid: For This Barbarism There Was No Real Excuse.” Blue & Gray Magazine Summer 2005: 18-25 (OOB on page 60).
  30. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1118: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864)
  31. Calkins, Chris. “The Apple Jack Raid: For This Barbarism There Was No Real Excuse.” Blue & Gray Magazine Summer 2005: 18-25 (OOB on page 60).
  32. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 329: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865)
  33. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 742: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865)
  34. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 96), page 67: “Return of Casualties in the Union forces at Hatcher’s Run (otherwise known as Dabney’s Mill, Armstrong’s Mill, Rowanty Creek, and Vaughan Road)… (February 5-7, 1865)”
  35. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 329: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865)
  36. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 742: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865)
  37. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
  38. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 96), page 67: “Return of Casualties in the Union forces at Hatcher’s Run (otherwise known as Dabney’s Mill, Armstrong’s Mill, Rowanty Creek, and Vaughan Road)… (February 5-7, 1865)”
  39. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 570: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865)
  40. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 586: “Return of casualties in the Union Forces commanded by Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, March 29-April 9, 1865”
  41. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 570: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865)
  42. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 570: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865)
  43. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3)
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