8th New York Infantry Regiment

8th New York Infantry Regiment
Active	April 23, 1861, to April 23, 1863
Country	United States
Allegiance	Union
Branch	Infantry
Engagements	Great Falls First Battle of Bull Run Battle of Cross Keys Battle of New Market Battle of Rappahannock Station I Second Battle of Bull Run

The 8th New York Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was also known as the First German Rifles or Blenker's Rifles.

Service

8th New York officers garbed in the same uniforms that they wore to the Mexican War

Reverse of the Regimental flag.

The regiment was organized in New York City and was mustered in for a two-year enlistment on April 23, 1861.

In June 1861, at the beginning of the First Battle of Bull Run, Varian's New York Battery under the regiment were only one of two 3-month service volunteer units to refuse participation and walk away from the battlefield. Both units were strongly criticized for its actions.

The regiment was mustered out of service on April 23, 1863. Men who chose to re-enlist were assigned to the 68th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

Casualties

The regiment suffered 369 fatalities.

Commanders

• Colonel Louis Blenker
• Colonel Julius Stahel
• Colonel Francis Wutschell
• Colonel Felix Salm-Salm

See also

• 8th Regiment New York State Militia Infantry - served as the "8th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment" during the Spanish–American War
• List of New York Civil War regiments

References

• Phisterer, Frederick (1912). New York in the War of the Rebellion. Albany: J.B. Lyon Co.
• The Union army: a history of military affairs in the loyal states, 1861-65 -- records of the regiments in the Union army -- cyclopedia of battles -- memoirs of commanders and soldier. Madison, Wisc.: Federal Pub. Co. 1908.

External links

• New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center - Civil War - 8th Infantry Regiment History, photograph, table of battles and casualties, Civil War newspaper clippings, and historical sketch, for the 8th New York Infantry Regiment.