The 9th New York Infantry Regiment was an

infantry Infantry is a military specialization which engages in ground combat on foot. Infantry generally consists of light infantry, mountain infantry, motorized infantry & mechanized infantry, airborne infantry, air assault infantry, and marine i ...

regiment A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service and/or a specialisation. In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers, recruited or conscripted ...

that served in the

Union Army During the American Civil War, the Union Army, also known as the Federal Army and the Northern Army, referring to the United States Army, was the land force that fought to preserve the Union (American Civil War), Union of the collective U.S. st ...

during the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

. It was also known as the "''Hawkins'

Zouaves The Zouaves were a class of light infantry regiments of the French Army serving between 1830 and 1962 and linked to French North Africa; as well as some units of other countries modelled upon them. The zouaves were among the most decorated unit ...

''" or the "''New York Zouaves''."

Military service, 1861

In April 1861 with the secession of the Southern States and the calling up of volunteers by President

Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln ( ; February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was an American lawyer, politician, and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Lincoln led the nation thro ...

, Rush C. Hawkins went to

Albany, New York Albany ( ) is the capital of the U.S. state of New York, also the seat and largest city of Albany County. Albany is on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River, and about north of New York City ...

, and volunteered the services of a company of New York Zouaves to the state. The governor of New York accepted the offer of the company, and also granted the authorization to Hawkins to raise a regiment of Zouaves. With this authorization in hand he returned to

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

and opened a recruiting office which soon had drawn over 2,000 volunteers, this large number of recruits quickly outgrew the size of the recruiting office. In early April the regiment moved to its new quarters at

Castle Garden Castle Clinton (also known as Fort Clinton and Castle Garden) is a circular sandstone fort within Battery Park at the southern end of Manhattan in New York City. Built from 1808 to 1811, it was the first American immigration station, predating ...

in New York City, where on April 23 and 27 the ten companies of the regiment were mustered into state service. After finishing their organization, the regiment was mustered into United States service on May 4, 1861, at Castle Garden by Captain S.B. Hayman of the 7th United States Infantry Regiment. On May 13 the regiment was officially numbered as the Ninth Infantry Regiment of New York Volunteers, by the War Department and New York Adjutant General's office. On May 15 the regiment boarded a barge that was towed by the steamer “Young America” and moved from Castle Garden to its new camp on

Riker’s Island Rikers Island is a island in the East River between Queens and the Bronx that contains New York City's main jail complex. Named after Abraham Rycken, who took possession of the island in 1664, the island was originally under in size, but has ...

. This camp was designated as Camp Hawkins and the men arrived at the camp around 10 o’clock. It was here that they completed their training and were outfitted with their uniforms, arms, and equipment. On June 5 the regiment moved from Camp Hawkins and boarded two steamships which took them to the foot of Thirtieth Street along the

East River The East River is a saltwater tidal estuary in New York City. The waterway, which is actually not a river despite its name, connects Upper New York Bay on its south end to Long Island Sound on its north end. It separates the borough of Queens ...

, where they disembarked and marched up 34th Street to

Fifth Avenue Fifth Avenue is a major and prominent thoroughfare in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. It stretches north from Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village to West 143rd Street in Harlem. It is one of the most expensive shopping stre ...

, proceeding to the home of Mrs. A.W. Griswold where they were presented the national colors. They then moved to the home of Mrs. W.D. Moffatt where they were presented their regimental colors. After these presentations the regiment marched down the Avenue onto

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

and down to Pier Four on the North River. Here the regiment began boarding the steamer “''Marion'',” however it was found that the vessel would not be large enough to hold the entire regiment properly for the trip. With the men and equipment loaded onto the “''Marion''” she steamed out to a point between

Bedloe's Island Liberty Island is a federally owned island in Upper New York Bay in the United States. Its most notable feature is the Statue of Liberty (''Liberty Enlightening the World''), a large statue by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi that was dedicated in ...

and Castle Williams where she dropped anchor for the night. It was during this brief trip that the regiment suffered its first casualty when Albert “Tobe” Warren died after he fell overboard during that afternoon. The following morning (June 6) the ''Marion'' steamed down the river and dropped anchor off of

Staten Island Staten Island ( ) is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Richmond County, in the U.S. state of New York. Located in the city's southwest portion, the borough is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull an ...

to await the arrival of the additional transport required for the regiment. Shortly thereafter the steamer “''George Peabody''” arrived and 400 men of the regiment were transferred from the ''Marion'' to her. Once this was completed the two vessels set sail for

Newport News, Virginia Newport News () is an independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia. At the 2020 census, the population was 186,247. Located in the Hampton Roads region, it is the 5th most populous city in Virginia and 140th most populous city in the Uni ...

. The regiment served at Newport News from June 8, 1861; Companies C, G and H at

Hatteras, North Carolina Hatteras is an unincorporated village and census-designated place (CDP) in Dare County, North Carolina, United States, on the Outer Banks island of Hatteras, at its extreme southwestern tip. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 504. Im ...

, from August 27, 1861; and the regiment at Hatteras from September 10, 1861. Colonel Hawkins of 9th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment (cropped)

Military service, 1862

The regiment served in the 3d Brigade,

Burnside's North Carolina Expedition Burnside's North Carolina Expedition (also known as the Burnside Expedition) was a series of engagements fought along the North Carolina Coast between February and June 1862. The expedition was part of Winfield Scott's overall Anaconda Plan, which ...

, from January, 1862; at

Roanoke Island Roanoke Island () is an island in Dare County, North Carolina, Dare County, bordered by the Outer Banks of North Carolina, United States. It was named after the historical Roanoke (tribe), Roanoke, a Carolina Algonquian people who inhabited the ar ...

, from February 3, 1862; in 4th Brigade, Hawkins' Coast Division (3d), 9th Corps, from March, 1862; in the 1st Brigade, 3d Division, 9th Corps, from July, 1862. With Gen. Burnside's force, the regiment arrived at Roanoke Island, early in February and was actively engaged in the battle there, losing 17 members. It participated in an expedition up the

Chowan River The Chowan River (cho-WAHHN)
, from the North Carolina Collection's website at the

Winton; returned to camp on Roanoke Island; was brigaded with the 89th N. Y. and 6th N. H. under Col. Hawkins; was in expeditions to

Elizabeth City Elizabeth City is a city in Pasquotank County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 18,629. Elizabeth City is the county seat and largest city of Pasquotank County. It is the cultural, economic and educ ...

, and lost 75 men at

South Mills South is one of the cardinal directions or compass points. The direction is the opposite of north and is perpendicular to both east and west. Etymology The word ''south'' comes from Old English ''sūþ'', from earlier Proto-Germanic ''*sunþaz ...

. On July 10, the regiment was ordered to

Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk ( ) is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Incorporated in 1705, it had a population of 238,005 at the 2020 census, making it the third-most populous city in Virginia after neighboring Virginia Be ...

, camped at Newport News, until September 4, when it moved to

Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

, and to

Frederick, Maryland Frederick is a city in and the county seat of Frederick County, Maryland. It is part of the Baltimore–Washington Metropolitan Area. Frederick has long been an important crossroads, located at the intersection of a major north–south Native ...

, on the 12th. Here it became a part of the

Army of the Potomac The Army of the Potomac was the principal Union Army in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War. It was created in July 1861 shortly after the First Battle of Bull Run and was disbanded in June 1865 following the surrender of the Confedera ...

; was active at South mountain and Antietam, with a loss in the latter battle of 233 killed, wounded and missing. After camping in detachments at various points, the regiment was concentrated at

Fredericksburg, Virginia Fredericksburg is an independent city located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 27,982. The Bureau of Economic Analysis of the United States Department of Commerce combines the city of Fredericksburg wi ...

, participated in the battle there in December.

Military service, 1863

The regiment camped at

Falmouth, Virginia Falmouth is a census-designated place (CDP) in Stafford County, Virginia, United States. Situated on the north bank of the Rappahannock River at the falls, the community is north of and opposite the city of Fredericksburg. Recognized by the U. ...

, until Feb. 1, 1863, except Co. F, which had remained as garrison at

Plymouth, North Carolina Plymouth is the largest town in Washington County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 3,878 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Washington County. Plymouth is located on the Roanoke River about seven miles (11 km) upr ...

, rejoining the regiment on Jan. 26. In February the 9th was ordered back to Suffolk, where it remained until May, the expiration of its term of service. May 6, 1863, the three years' men of the regiment, which latter had left for New York city, May 3, 1863, were assigned to the 3d Infantry. In April or May, 1863, the War Department authorized Capt. R. H. Morris of this regiment to organize a battery of members of his regiment, whose term of service had not expired. It was to consist of 110 men, but failed to complete its existence; 44 of the men assigned to the proposed battery deserted, the remainder were assigned to the 3d Infantry. The regiment was mustered out of United States service on May 20, 1863, at New York City, New York, following the expiration of its term of service.

9th New York Veteran Volunteers

With the mustering out of the 9th Regiment in May 1863, the governor of New York authorized Major Edward Jardine to re-organize them as the 9th New York Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment, and appointed Major Jardine as colonel of the newly organizing regiment. After several weeks of recruiting the command was organized into two companies under ex-Hawkins Zouaves officers William Barnett and James B. Horner. The two companies went into camp as a battalion at Fort Hamilton, New York, where training and recruiting was continued. From July 13 to 16, 1863, the City of New York exploded in several violent riots in reaction to the draft. The two companies were called out to help protect the city. In the ensuing fighting between soldiers and rioters, Colonel Jardine was severely wounded when he was shot in the hip. As a result of this wound, he was taken out of service for several months, and even after returning to the field was only able to perform light duties. The companies of the 9th Veterans acquitted themselves well in the action, and received notice in the reports of Colonel Winslow of the 5th New York Veteran Volunteers. On October 14, 1863, with the failure of the regiment to fully organize, the companies (under the command of Captain James B. Horner) were ordered to be consolidated into the 17th New York Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment, along with the men of the reorganizing 11th Veterans, 38th Veterans, and the "'' Union Sharpshooters.''" As such they were mustered into United States service as Company H (Captain James B. Horner) and Company I (Captain William Barnett) of the 17th Veterans. As for Colonel Jardine, he was mustered into service as Lieutenant Colonel of the 17th Veterans.

Casualties

During the regiments term of service it suffered the following casualties. * Killed In Action: 2 Officer, 53 Enlisted * Died of Wounds: 0 Officer, 16 Enlisted * Died of Disease and other causes: 2 Officers, 27 Enlisted * Total: 4 Officers and 100 Enlisted

Commanders

Colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...

Rush Christopher Hawkins (1831–1920) 29 years old. Enrolled on April 23, 1861, at New York City, New York, for two years’ service; mustered into service as colonel of the regiment on May 4, 1861, at New York City, New York; on detached service from August 26th, 1861; absent, in arrest, from October 22nd, 1861; absent, in arrest, from November 5th, 1861; wounded in action on April 19, 1862, at South Mills near Camden, North Carolina; commanding the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 9th Army Corps, in 1862; mustered out of service with the regiment on May 20, 1863, at New York City, New York; brevetted to the rank of brigadier general of United States Volunteers on March 13, 1865, for “gallant and meritorious conduct during the war of the Rebellion.” (Commissioned as colonel on June 20, 1861, with rank from May 13th, 1861, original) * Lieutenant Colonel George Frederick Betts (1827–1898) 34 years old. Enrolled on April 23, 1861, at New York City, New York, for two years’ service, at the age of 34; mustered into service as Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment on May 4, 1861, at New York City, New York; detailed to the regimental recruiting service from July 20th, 1861; commanding the regiment from October 22nd, 1861; resigned his commission and was honorably discharged on February 14, 1862. (Commissioned as lieutenant colonel on June 20, 1861, with rank from May 13, 1861, original.) * Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Allison Kimball (1822–1863) 38 years old. Appointed as captain of Infantry in the United States Army on March 8, 1847; assigned to the 9th United States Infantry Regiment on April 9, 1847; brevetted to major on August 20, 1847, for his conduct in the Battles of Contreras and Churubusco, Mexico; honorably discharged from service on August 26, 1848, at Fort Adams, Rhode Island. Enrolled on April 23, 1861, at New York City, New York, for two years’ service; mustered into service as major of the 9th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment on May 4, 1861, at New York City, New York; promoted to lieutenant colonel on February 14, 1862; killed by Brigadier General

Michael Corcoran Michael Corcoran (September 21, 1827 – December 22, 1863) was an Irish- American general in the Union Army during the American Civil War and a close confidant of President Abraham Lincoln. As its colonel, he led the 69th New York Regiment t ...

, U.S. Volunteers, on April 12, 1863, at Suffolk, Virginia. (Commissioned as a major on June 30, 1861, with rank from May 13th, 1861, original; as lieutenant colonel on February 24, 1862, with rank from February 14th, 1862, vice Lieutenant Colonel Betts had resigned) * Major

Edward Jardine Edward Jardine (November 2, 1828 – July 16, 1893) was an American U.S. Army officer during the American Civil War serving with the 9th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment under General Benjamin Butler and later the Army of the Potomac under ...

(1828–1893) 31 years old. Enrolled on May 3, 1861, at New York City, New York, for two years’ service; mustered into service as captain of Company G of the 9th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment on May 4, 1861; absent, sick, from December 18th, 1861, to January 14th, 1862; promoted to major on February 14, 1862; wounded in action on April 19, 1862, at Camden, North Carolina; on a leave of absence in June 1862; commanding the regiment from June 26th, 1862; temporarily assigned to command of the 89th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment in September 1862; detailed as the post provost marshal of Suffolk, Virginia, from February 10, 1863; mustered out of service with the regiment on May 20, 1863, at New York City, New York. (Commissioned as a captain on July 4, 1861, with rank from May 13th, 1861, original; as major on February 24, 1862, with rank from February 14, 1862, vice Major E.A. Kimball was promoted) Appointed as colonel of the 9th New York Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment on May 29, 1863, for three years’ service; seriously wounded in the thigh by a piece of lead pipe on July 17 (15th), 1863, at First Avenue and Nineteenth Streets in New York City, New York, during the Draft Riots, he was rescued by two young ladies who took him and two others to their home, he later escaped with their help to the home of a nearby surgeon by wearing civilian clothes; mustered out of service on October 14, 1863, at New York City, New York. Enrolled and was mustered into service as lieutenant colonel of the 17th New York Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment on October 17, 1863, at Albany, New York, for three years’ service; granted a ten-day leave of absence on account of physical disability on May 9, 1864; honorably discharged on May 10, 1864, to accept an appointment. (Commissioned as lieutenant colonel on December 29, 1863, with rank from October 14th, 1863, original) Appointed as captain of the 4th Company of the 2nd Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps, to date from May 3rd, 1864; brevetted to the rank of brigadier general of United States Volunteers on November 2, 1865, for “gallant and meritorious services during the War of the Rebellion;” resigned his commission on April 12, 1866.

References

* * Johnson, Charles F.; "''The Long Roll. Being a Journal of the Civil War, as set down during the years, 1861-1863.''" East Aurora: Roy crofters, 1911. * Phisterer, Frederick; "''New York in the War of the Rebellion.''" Albany: J.B. Lyon Co., 1912. * Whitney, John H.E.; "''The Hawkins Zouaves (Ninth N.Y.V.) Their battles and marches.''" New York: 1866. * {{cite book , title = 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 , publisher = Federal Pub. Co. , year = 1908 , location = Madison, Wisc. Infantry 009 1861 establishments in New York (state) Military units and formations established in 1861 Military units and formations disestablished in 1863