8th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 8th New York Volunteer 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.
and was mustered in for a two year enlistment on April 23, 1861.
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
.
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
that served in the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. It was also known as the First German Rifles or Blenker's Rifles.
Service
The regiment was organized in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and was mustered in for a two year enlistment on April 23, 1861.
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
68th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 68th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Mostly of German immigrants, it was also known as the Cameron Rifles or the Second German Rifle Regiment...
.
Commanders
- ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Louis BlenkerLouis BlenkerLouis Blenker was a German and American soldier.-Life in Germany:He was born at Worms, Germany. After being trained as a goldsmith by an uncle in Kreuznach, he was sent to a polytechnical school in Munich. Against his family's wishes, he enlisted in an Uhlan regiment which accompanied Otto to... - Colonel Julius StahelJulius StahelJulius H. Stahel-Számwald was a Hungarian soldier who emigrated to the United States and became a Union general in the American Civil War. After the war, he served as a U.S. diplomat, a mining engineer, and a life insurance company executive...
- Colonel Francis Wutschell
- Colonel Felix Salm-SalmFelix Salm-Salm-Life:Felix Constantin Alexander Johan Nepomuk, prince Salm Salm, was born in Anholt, Prussia, 25 December 1828. Felix was the son of the reigning Prince zu Salm Salm. He grew up training to be a soldier at a cadet-school in Berlin, Germany and soon became an officer in the Prussian cavalry...
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.