The 72nd New York Infantry in the Civil War

This is the story of the men who fought and died in the 72nd New York Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. Part of Dan Sickles’ famed Excelsior Brigade, the 72nd New York served in all the major actions associated with the III Corps, losing one-fourth or more of the regiment in three different engagements. The narrative of the war is told in the words of the men who were there. Drawing on soldier’s letters, diaries, memoirs (many unpublished or obscure) and official reports, this work follows these men from the exciting beginnings of recruitment, the boredom and frustrations of life policing the secessionist countryside of Southern Maryland, through to the eventual disbanding of the regiment in July of 1864 after being bled white at Williamsburg, the Peninsula, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and the Overland Campaign. A final chapter offers a brief account of many of the men’s lives following the war. Included in the work are photographs, period illustrations, maps and an organizational chart. A complete roster is arranged by company with chronologies of officers’ service.

Rick Barram teaches Social Studies and Theater Arts at Central Valley High School in northern California. A long-time student of history, Rick also enjoys Civil War reenacting. He lives in Red Bluff, California.

Rick Barram
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 316
Bibliographic Info: 17 photos, 16 maps, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2014
pISBN: 978-0-7864-7644-2
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1419-9
Imprint: McFarland

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii
Introduction 1
Epoch I: Beginnings
1—Becoming Third Excelsior 3
2—Defense of Washington 15
3—Pacifying Southern Maryland 28
Epoch II: The Seat of War
4—Journey to Williamsburg 49
5—Seven Pines and on to Richmond 63
6—Going Backwards 75
Epoch III: Agony in Northern Virginia
7—Serving Under Pope 85
8—On to Fredericksburg 100
Epoch IV: The Bloody Season
9—Hooker in Command 113
10—Gettysburg 131
Epoch V: A Hard Conclusion
11—In Pursuit of Lee 151
12—The Struggle to Petersburg 174
13—End of the ­Seventy-Second 200
Regimental Roster by Company 207
Chapter Notes 283
Bibliography 299
Index 303

“a valuable addition…highly recommend”—Civil War News; “provides a detailed history of its actions throughout the war”—ProtoView.