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ABOVE IS A PICTURE OF THE ORIGINAL COLORS OF THE 18th NEW YORK. THEY ARE IN SUCH GOOD CONDITION,
DUE TO THE LACK OF USE OF THIS FLAG. THEY USED THE TRADITIONAL STARS AND STRIPES INSTEAD OF THE FLAG ABOVE. The flag was presented
to the Regiment by the lady friends of Col. William A. Jackson, on June 1, 1861, in Albany, New York, shortly before the regiment's
departure for the field.
Lt. Col. McGinnis, returned the battle-scarred red, white, and blue flag to the women of Middletown
after the 18th was mustered out.
The 18th New York was mainly recruited from the Albany area. The 18th
was formed after President Lincoln called for 75,000 troops. Company's A and E,
were recruited from Schenectady, New York Company's B,F,H and I were recruited from
Albany and immediate vicinity Company C was recruited from Fishkill, New York Company D
"Walkill Guards " as they were known, were recruited from Middletown, NY and in Sullivan County, NY Company G was
recruited from Canandaigua, New York Company K was recruited from Ogdensburg, New York The " New
York State Rifles", were mustered into the U.S. service at Albany, on May 17, 1861, for a period of two years. They
were encamped in a camp near Albany until orders for them to move out to Washington on June 18, after a month of drill in
their camp near Albany.
They occupied their camp on Meridian Hill until July 12, when the regiment was ordered to Alexandria and became a part
of the 2nd Brigade, 5th Division, Army of Northeastern Virginia. The 18th pressed on with the army to Manassas. They encountered
the enemy on the Braddock Road, at Fairfax Station and Blackburn's Ford. They also played a small roll in the Battle of Bull
Run, acting as support for the artillery.
After some time, they returned to their camp near Alexandria. On August 4, they were assigned to Franklin's Brigade,
and later commanded by General Newton. They were stationed at Camp King near the Theological Seminary. Daily construction
was conducted as the 18th began digging entrenchments and construction Fort Ward. Though they were never stationed at Fort
Ward, they were key components in its construction.
On March 10, 1862, the 18th was ordered to Fairfax Court House, but immediately returned to their camp, and in April,
with the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 6th Corps, Army of the Potomac, they moved into Bristoe Station.
The 18th was active at many engagements. (check out the List of Engagements) They were active at West Point and in the Seven Days' Battles, its loss being the heaviest in the Battle of Gaines
Mill. It was then stationed at Harrison's Landing until August 15, when they were ordered to Newport News and on the 24th,
they reached Alexandria.
They were also took a considerate roll in Crampton's Gap, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. They were then on their way to
their camp near Falmouth, until they were called upon to participate in the "Mud March" and in the Chancellorsville Campaign.
Marye's Heights and Salem Church was the 18th's last battle. They were soon ordered back home on May 16, 1863 to Albany.
Notes on who the 18th NY fought under
August 4, 1861, the 18th was put into Franklin's Brigade, Division of the Potomac.
October 15, 1861,
the 18th was part of Newton's Brigade, Franklin's Division, Army of the Potomac.
March 13, 1862, the 18th were part
of 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac.
From May, 1862 - May 1863(breakup of the 18th),
the 18th were part of 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 6th Army Corps. Commanded by George R. Myers.
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