NEW YORK FIFTH INFANTRY (Two Years)

Fifth Infantry.-Cols., Abraham Duryee, Governeur K. Warren, Hiram Duryea, Cleveland Winslow, Frederick Winthrop, Henry W. Ryder, William F. Drum; Lieut.-Cols., Governeur K. Warren, Hiram Duryea, Harmon D. Hull, George Duryea, Henry W. Ryder, George L. Guthrie, William F. Drum; Majs., J. Mansfield Davis, Hiram Duryea, Harmon D. Hull, Cleveland Winslow, George Duryea, Henry W. Ryder, George L. Guthrie, Paul A. Oliver, Henry Shickhardt, Carlisle Boyd. The 5th known as the National or Duryee's Zouaves, was recruited in New York city and the immediate vicinity and mustered into the U. S. service for a term of two years, at Fort Schuyler, New York harbor, May 9, 1861. On the 23d it embarked for Fortress Monroe, camped for a few days near Hampton Bridge, then moved to Camp Butler, Newport News, and was attached to Pierce's brigade. The troops of the 5th led the force at the battle of Big Bethel and lost 5 killed, 16 wounded and 2 missing. In September the regiment was sent to Baltimore for garrison duty and remained there until May, 1862, when it was assigned to Sykes' brigade, reserve infantry of the Army of the Potomac, and on May 17, to the 3d brigade, 2nd division, 5th corps, with which it fought in the battles of the campaign on the Peninsula. It participated in the siege of Yorktown, the fighting near Hanover Court House, the Seven Days' battles, losing at Gaines' mill 55 killed, 37 wounded and 15 missing, and winning notice by the coolness with which, after heavy loss, the regiment was reformed under fire in order to fill the places of the fallen men. At Malvern hill, the 5th was active, then spent a short time at Harrison's landing, and afterward took a prominent part in the battle of the second Bull Run, where, of 490 members present, it lost 117 killed or mortally wounded, 23 per cent. of those engaged, the greatest loss of life in any infantry regiment in any one battle. The remnant of the regiment served with the division through the battles of Antietam, Shepherdstown, Snicker's gap and Fredericksburg without serious loss, and went into winter quarters at Falmouth. It was also active at the battle of Chancellorsville and then returned to New York city, where it was mustered out on May 14, 1863. 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: The Union Army, Vol. 2, p. 52 New York FIFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. National Zouaves; Advance Guard Zouaves; Duryee Zouaves. (Two Years) This regiment, Col. Abram Duryee, was accepted by the State April 23, 1861; organized at Fort Schuyler, New York harbor, and there mustered in the service of the United States for two years May 9, 1861. The companies were recruited principally: A and B in New York city and Brooklyn; C in New York city, Astoria and Poughkeepsie; D--Fifth Ward Volunteers--and E in New York city, Brooklyn and Williamsburg; F in New York city, Brooklyn, Fordham and Yonkers; G in New York city, Brooklyn and New Rochelle; H in New York city, Brooklyn, Flushing, Greenpoint, Tarrytown and West Point; I in New York city, Brooklyn, Jamaica, Long Neck and Williamsburg, and at Perth Amboy, Plainfield and Orange, N. J.; and K in New York and Jersey City. The regiment left the State May 23, 1861; served at Fort Monroe, Va., from May 25, 1861; in Pierce's Brigade, at Newport News, Va., from May 27, 1861; at Baltimore, Md., from July 27, 1861; with the Army of the Potomac from April 11, 1862; in Sykes' Brigade, Reserve Infantry, Army of the Potomac, from May, 1862; and in the 3d Brigade, 2d Division, 5th Corps, Army of the Potomac, from May 17, 1862. May 14, 1863, its three years' men were transferred to the 146th Infantry, and the regiment, having previously been ordered to New York city, was there, commanded by Col. Cleveland Winslow, honorably discharged and mustered out May 14, 1863. Source: Phisterer, p. 1,751 Antietam after battle report: Report of Capt. Cleveland Winslow, Fifth New York Infantry, Third Brigade, of the battle of Antietam, skirmish at Shepherdstown Ford, and action near Shepherdstown. HDQRS. FIFTH REGIMENT NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS, Camp near Sharpsburg, Md., September 24, 1862. SIR: In compliance with a circular dated September 24, requiring a report of the movements of the Fifth Regiment New York Volunteers since the 16th of September, 1862, together with the casualties, I have the honor to report the following: Tuesday, September 16, at 10 o'clock a.m., having bivouacked all night in line of battle near Sharpsburg, Md., in rear of Gen. Sykes' division, I moved to the left, and took up a position on the edge of an oak grove, remaining in line of battle all night. Wednesday, September 17, at 4 o'clock p.m. I deployed my regiment in front of the wood into an open field, stopping all stragglers from going to the rear, forming them as they came from the battle-field in two ranks, irrespective of regiment or division, in three lines, covering the front of the battalion. Remained on guard all night in rear of stragglers. Thursday, September 18, we retained the same position all day until 5 o'clock p.m., when I moved into the woods and encamped by column of division. Occupied the day in drilling the recruits. Friday, September 19, left camp in pursuit of the enemy. Crossed the Antietam Creek, and formed line of battle on the left of Gen. Sykes' division. At 1 o'clock p.m. I moved the regiment forward in support of three batteries of artillery, throwing out two companies of skirmishers on the right and left. Company I, in command of Capt. Burnett, in compliance with orders from me, moved forward to the bank of the Potomac River. I then moved the balance of the regiment forward to the edge of a hill commanding Blackford's Ford, where, in support of a section of Randol's battery, I fired several volleys at the opposite bank of the river, in order the recruits, composing the greater part of my command, an opportunity to discharge their pieces. On finding that the enemy had evacuated their position near the opposite bank of the river, I moved forward, and went into bivouac on the bank of the river, posting a strong guard. Saturday, September 20, crossed the river in line of battle at 10 a.m., and took up position on top of the bluff, on the left of Gen. Sykes' division. My skirmishers reported the enemy in force in front, which was apparent, as they opened a heavy fire of musketry upon us. In compliance with orders from Col. Warren, I withdrew my men from the bluff, leaving one company deployed as skirmishers to cover our recrossing the river, which was accomplished without loss. Formed the regiment behind the canal bank, on the north side of the river, where I remained until dark. At 4 o'clock p.m. I ordered one company (E) to recross the river and protect a party of stragglers from my command, sent over to take a 6-pounder brass howitzer, which had been abandoned by the enemy. This was accomplished with the loss of one sergeant (Crowley), wounded in the leg, who was brought over the river at dusk in the evening, when the company rejoined the regiment. At dark I moved my position 900 yards to the left, establishing pickets at intervals of 10 paces, connecting on my left with the Fourteenth Regiment Regular Infantry, and on my right the Tenth Regiment New York Volunteers. Sunday, 21st, remained on picket all day. Nothing (with the exception of a few sharpshooters) was seen of the enemy. Lieut.-Col. Duryea returned, and relieved me in command of the regiment. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CLEVELAND WINSLOW, Capt., Commanding Fifth Regiment New York Volunteers. Lieut. HEWYARD CUTTING, Aide-de-Camp, and Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Sykes' Division.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 19. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 27

New York 5th Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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