The 102nd New York Infantry Regiment ("Van Buren Light Infantry") was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment played a prominent part in numerous key battles in both the Eastern and Western theaters of the war. It was noted for its holding the high ground at the center of the line at Antietam as part of Stainrook's 2nd Brigade, Greene's 2nd Division of Mansfield's XII Corps. It was further highly regarded for its actions at the Battle of Gettysburg, the Battle of Lookout Mountain, and the Atlanta campaign.
The 102nd New York Infantry was organized at New York City beginning November 1, 1861 and mustered in for a three-year enlistment March 5, 1862 under the command of Colonel Thomas B. Van Buren.
The regiment was attached to:
The 102nd New York Infantry mustered out of service on July 21, 1865.
Left New York for Washington, D. C, March 10, 1862. Duty in the defenses of Washington, D.C., until May 1862. Moved to Harpers Ferry, Va., May. Defense of Harpers Ferry against Jackson's attack May 28âÂÂ30. Operations in the Shenandoah Valley until August. Battle of Cedar Mountain August 9. Pope's Campaign in northern Virginia August 16-September 2. Guard trains during the campaign. Maryland Campaign September 6âÂÂ22. Battle of Antietam September 16âÂÂ17. Duty at Bolivar Heights until December. Reconnaissance to Rippon, Va., November 9. Expedition to Winchester December 2âÂÂ6. March to Fredericksburg, Va., December 9âÂÂ16. At Fairfax Station until January 20, 1863. "Mud March" January 20âÂÂ24. Regiment detached in New York on special duty March 10-April 4. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Battle of Chancellorsville May 1âÂÂ5. Gettysburg Campaign June 11-July 24. Battle of Gettysburg July 1âÂÂ3. Pursuit of Lee to Manassas Gap, Va., July 5âÂÂ24. Duty on line of the Rappahannock until September. Movement to Bridgeport, Ala., September 24-October 3. Reopening Tennessee River October 26âÂÂ29. Guarding railroad until November. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23âÂÂ27. Battle of Lookout Mountain November 23âÂÂ24. Battle of Missionary Ridge November 25. Battle of Ringgold Gap, Taylor's Ridge, November 27. Duty in Lookout Valley until May 1864. Atlanta Campaign May 1-September 8. Demonstrations on Rocky Faced Ridge May 8âÂÂ11. Battle of Resaca May 14âÂÂ15. Near Cassville May 19. Advance on Dallas May 22âÂÂ25. New Hope Church May 25. Battles about Dallas, New Hope Church, and Allatoona Hills May 26-June 5. Operations about Marietta and against Kennesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Pine Hill June 11âÂÂ14. Lost Mountain June 15âÂÂ17. Gilgal or Golgotha Church June 15. Muddy Creek June 17. Noyes Creek June 19. Kolb's Farm June 22. Assault on Kennesaw June 27. Ruff's Station, Smyrna Camp Ground, July 4. Chattahoochie River July 5âÂÂ17. Peachtree Creek July 19âÂÂ20. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Operations at Chattahoochie River Bridge August 26-September 2. Occupation of Atlanta September 2-November 15. Expedition from Atlanta to Tuckum's Cross Roads October 26âÂÂ29. Near Atlanta November 9. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Near Davidsboro November 28. Siege of Savannah December 10âÂÂ21. Carolinas Campaign January to April 1865. Battle of Bentonville, N.C., March 19âÂÂ21. Occupation of Goldsboro March 24. Advance on Raleigh April 9âÂÂ13. Occupation of Raleigh April 14. Bennett's House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. March to Washington, D.C., via Richmond, Va., April 29-May 20. Grand Review of the Armies May 24. Duty at Washington, D.C., until July.
The regiment lost a total of 155 men during service; 7 officers and 66 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 82 enlisted men died of disease.
Attribution