5TH NEW YORK INFANTRY
“Duryee Zouaves”
“Where the Regiment stood that day was the very vortex of Hell,”; Andrew Coats, Private, Duryées Zouaves, remembering the Battle of Second Manassas. On April 12th, 1861, a group of military enthusiasts gathered in Manhattan to form a two-year volunteer regiment in support of the Union cause. Their unanimous choice for commander was Colonel Abram Duryée, a wealthy mahogany importer with three decades of militia experience. At Duryée's suggestion the new unit was outfitted in a colorful variation of the Zouave uniform, described by one reporter as a wild Saracenic costume.
The flashy attire and Duryée's reputation attracted hundreds of eager volunteers for the Fifth New York Volunteer Infantry. Nicknamed Duryée's Zouaves, the Fifth was one of the most renowned fighting regiments of the American Civil War. Their colorful Zouave uniform, precise maneuvers, effectiveness in combat, and steady bearing under fire won them universal respect and recognition. Many observers considered the Fifth New York to be the best-drilled volunteer unit in the Federal Army.
After suffering the heaviest casualties in the first engagement of the Civil War at Big Bethel, the regiment was posted to Baltimore before joining McClellan's Army of the Potomac for the Peninsular Campaign. The Zouaves proved their fighting prowess at the battle of Gaines Mill inflicting the highest number of Confederate casualties on the 1st South Carolina Rifles that day. Just over two months later the Fifth suffered a similar fate in a vain attempt to stop General Longstreet s assault at Second Manassas. Despite losing 330 men that day, the Fifth soldiered on with an influx of new recruits at the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville before mustering out of service in May 1863.
“No regiment ever stood on American soil to come near equaling the Fifth New York for size, intelligence, bravery and patriotism.” Sergeant Major E.A. Perry 14th U.S.
Nine of its soldiers attained the rank of general.
Drawing from period sources such as regimental records and soldier letters and recollections – Brian Pohanka’a book, Vortex of Hell recounts their journey from citizens to soldiers, in camp and in battle, and beyond. Source/Book “Vortex of Hell”: https://www.amazon.com/History-5th-York-Volunteer-Infantry/dp/1889246735
The total strength of the command was 1,508, of whom 117 were killed or died of wounds, 11.7 per cent., and 34 died from other causes. During almost the entire term of service, the regiment was attached to Gen. Sykes' famous division of regulars, which contained one brigade of volunteers, in which the 5th bore a prominent and worthy part. Col. Fox names the 5th as one of the "three hundred fighting regiments" and quotes Gen. Sykes as having said it was one of the best volunteer organizations he ever saw. The reenlisted men and recruits, besides a number of the members who originally enlisted for three years, were transferred to the 146th N. Y. Vols. Source: https://civilwarindex.com/armyny/5th%20ny%20infantry.html
The story of the 5th N.Y. as told to the Battle Field Trust by Brian Pohanka and Patrick Schroder: https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/book-vortex-hell https://civilwarintheeast.com/us-regiments-batteries/new-york-regiments-and-batteries/5th-new-york/ https://museum.dmna.ny.gov/unit-history/infantry/5th-infantry-regiment
20th New York State Militia
“Ulster Guard”
(80th New York Infantry)
The regiment was a long-established New York militia unit when it volunteered for Federal service at the beginning of the Civil War. It served several months as the 20th New York State Militia. Following their initial term, the regiment returned to Kingston, New York, where Colonel Pratt reorganized it as a volunteer unit for a three-year enlistment. On December 7, 1861, it was officially designated as the 80th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment to fit into New York’s newly created volunteer units. It protested this loss of identity along with the assignment of a low-prestige high number and continued to use its original 20th N.Y.S.M. designation whenever possible. The companies were predominantly recruited from Ulster County, though neighboring counties also contributed men. The regiment's history reflects the dedication and sacrifices of its members throughout the conflict.
Source: “The Civil War in the East” - Open this link for a time line of the 20th history/engagements- https://civilwarintheeast.com/us-regiments-batteries/new-york-regiments-and-batteries/80th-new-york/
The total enrollment of the regiment was 2,103, of whom 128 died of wounds and 156 from accident, imprisonment or disease. The regiment early became known for its fine fighting qualities and sustained a reputation for courage and steadiness under fire throughput its long term of service, which lasted, including its militia service, from the spring of 1861 to Jan., 1866. The regiment is classed among the "three hundred fighting regiments."
Source: “New York State Military Museum” - https://museum.dmna.ny.gov/unit-history/infantry-1/80th-infantry-regiment Ulster Guard at Gettysburg - https://gettysburg.stonesentinels.com/union-monuments/new-york/new-york-infantry/80th-new-york/ Ulster Guard at Gettysburg Marker Day 3 - https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=16341
Gates, Theodore B. The "Ulster Guard" (20th N.Y. State Militia) and the War of the Rebellion, Embracing a History of the Early Organization of the Regiment; Its Three Months Service; Its Reorganization and Subsequent Service.... NY: B.H. Tyrrel, 1879. 619 p. E523.5.80th.G37.
Gates – The Ulster Guard on Google Books: https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Ulster_Guard_20th_N_Y_State_Militia.html?id=IPJYAAAAMAAJ
Osborne, Seward R. The Civil War Diaries of Col. Theodore B. Gates, 20th New York State Militia. Hightstown, NJ: Longstreet House, 1991. 179 p. E601G26.
Osborne, Seward R. Holding the Left at Gettysburg: The 20th New York State Militia on July 1, 1863. Hightstown, NJ: Longstreet House, 1990. 31 p. E475.53O83.
Osborne, Seward R. "Sgt. Isaac Buswell: A Patriot in the 20th New York State Militia." Mil Images Magazine (Mar/Apr 1986): p. 5 (l photocopied page). Per. Additional Resources - https://museum.dmna.ny.gov/unit-history/infantry-1/80th-infantry-regiment