68th New York Infantry Regiment

Discovering the Journey of the 68th New York Infantry Regiment: A German-American Unit in the American Civil War

Imagine a group of men, united by their shared heritage and fighting for a cause they believed in—this was the story of the 68th New York Infantry Regiment. Organized in July 1861, this regiment played a significant role during the American Civil War, serving in both Eastern and Western theaters. But who were these men? And what made them so resilient through battles like Cross Keys, Second Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wauhatchie, Missionary Ridge, and more?

The 68th New York Infantry Regiment was a unique unit, composed mostly of German immigrants who had previously served in Austrian, Prussian, or other German states’ armies. They were known as the ‘Cameron Rifles’ or ‘Second German Rifle Regiment,’ and their journey through the war was nothing short of remarkable.

Organized by Robert J. Betge with the help of German immigrants who served as officers, this regiment faced numerous challenges. In July 1861, they moved to Warrenton, Virginia, where they came into contact with Confederate cavalry; three of their officers were captured. This early encounter set a tone for the trials and tribulations that lay ahead.

As part of Blenker’s brigade under Maj. Gen. John C. Frémont in the Mountain Department, the 68th faced a long march to Winchester, Virginia, where they guarded the western part of the Shenandoah Valley against Confederate forces led by Lt. Gen. Stonewall Jackson. Their initial action was not without its difficulties; their long march had left them bereft of supplies and low on rations.

Colonel Betge protested against this mistreatment, leading to his arrest and the surrender of command to Lt. Col. John H. Kleefish. The 68th’s initial action in Jackson’s Valley Campaign took place east of their position, but they soon joined forces with Frémont’s army to converge on Jackson south of Massanutten Mountain.

On June 8, 1862, the Battle of Cross Keys began, and the men of the 68th came under concentrated fire for the first time. Although not heavily involved in the battle, two men were killed. After the battle, they marched to Cedar Creek, where the army was placed under Maj. Gen. John Pope’s command.

Frémont resigned in protest after being outranked by Pope, and President Lincoln accepted his resignation. The 68th Regiment continued its journey, fighting at Second Bull Run, where they occupied the middle of the advancing line but were unable to break Jackson’s lines. After heavy casualties, the army retreated, suffering 22 killed and 59 wounded among their ranks.

Following this defeat, the Army of the Potomac pulled back and followed the Confederate army into Pennsylvania, where they arrived at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. The XI Corps took defensive positions but were outflanked and forced to retreat south of town. However, Howard rallied the troops and ordered them to entrench on Cemetery Hill for the second day.

The 68th Regiment began in a more defensible position at the center of the Union line, participating in their first Union victory despite suffering nearly 2,500 casualties. They paid the price with much higher casualties, losing 8 killed and 63 wounded; 67 were made prisoners of war.

After Gettysburg, the 68th remained in reserve during the Battle of Fredericksburg and retreated with the rest of the XI Corps. Morale was low after Fredericksburg, and several officers resigned. The Army of the Potomac followed Lee’s army into Virginia, where they crossed the Potomac on July 16 and took up guard duty along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad near Warrenton.

The regiment remained there until September when it was detached from the Army of the Potomac and sent to Tennessee. There, under Hooker’s command, they made up an independent force added to the Armies of the Tennessee, the Cumberland, and the Ohio. The 68th saw a change in leadership when Col. von Bourry was cashiered for drunkenness, and command passed to Lt. Col. Albert von Steinhausen.

Grant’s armies converged on Chattanooga, planning to attack Bragg’s army. Getting into place required the XI and XII Corps to cross the Tennessee River at Bridgeport, Alabama, and march rapidly for Lookout Valley, opening the supply line to Chattanooga. On October 28, the Union army clashed with Confederate forces at Wauhatchie, where they were victorious but suffered heavy casualties.

With supply lines reopened, Grant planned to dislodge Bragg’s army. At Lookout Mountain, the 68th Regiment was held in reserve on November 24 and later shifted to reinforce Sherman’s attack on Missionary Ridge. Four days later, they marched north to relieve Burnside’s army at Knoxville but arrived too late as the siege had already ended.

The regiment spent the winter guarding railroads near Bridgeport, Kentucky, before being sent to Louisville for leave. With re-enlistment encouraged by the government, many of the regiment’s three-year men returned, and drafted men were added to bring the ranks up to 400 present for duty. Steedman’s 4th Brigade of the new corps patrolled the Nashville and Chattanooga Railway in Tennessee during the winter of 1864-1865.

As Sherman’s Army advanced into Georgia, the 68th moved to Atlanta and then Fort Pulaski in Savannah. They were stationed there when news of the Confederate surrender arrived. With the war ending, the 68th was mustered out on November 30, 1865, at Hart’s Island and disbanded on December 14 with final pay.

Through it all, the 68th New York Infantry Regiment stood as a testament to resilience, unity, and sacrifice. Their journey through the American Civil War is a story of bravery and determination that continues to inspire us today. The 68th’s legacy lives on in their contributions to the Union Army and the countless battles they fought for freedom.