Colonel 19th New York Infantry

Colonel 168th New York Infantry

Image taken in Newburgh, New York

(1819-78) Born at Newburgh, New York, he was engaged in the manufacture of lime before the war. Brown enlisted at the age of 43 years old, on May 26, 1862, at Newburgh, N.Y., and was commissioned colonel in the 19th New York Infantry which he commanded. This 3 months regiment hailed from Orange County, N.Y. He then mustered out of the regiment at the expiration of their term of service, on September 6, 1862, having served at Baltimore and Havre-de-Grace, Md. During their time in service the regiment lost 3 enlisted men to death. On February 11, 1863, he was commissioned colonel, and commander of the 168th New York Infantry, a nine months regiment. The regiment left the state on February 12, 1863, for Yorktown, Va., and was assigned to General Busteed's brigade, 1st division, 4th corps. Subsequently it served in General King's brigade, same division and corps until June, when it was assigned to the 22nd corps, and the following month was placed in the 2nd brigade, 2nd division, 11th corps. It took part in a skirmish at Walkerton Va., in May, again skirmished there during the expedition to that place in June, and was engaged in a skirmish at Yorktown, Va., on June 9, 1862. In addition it took part in a number of other skirmishes. The regiment was mustered out, and discharged at Newburg N.Y., on October 31, 1863, at the termination of their time of service. Colonel Brown was promoted to brigadier general with the date being unknown. The 168th New York Infantry loss during its time in service a total of 38 men to death. William Rufus Brown died on November 18, 1878, at Newburgh, N.Y., and is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, New Windsor, N.Y., Section H, Lot 11.

Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 4 card. Seated view in uniform with rank of brigadier general, with over the shoulder leather belt, U.S. eagle belt plate, and sword with sash and mourning ribbon attached to the hilt of the sword as he cradles it across his arm and leg. Back mark: Remillard, No. 82 Water Street, Newburgh, N.Y. Light age toning. Very scarce.

This same image is published in the excellent reference book, "Colonels In Blue, Union Army Colonels Of The Civil War, New York," by Roger D. Hunt. It can be seen pictured on page 55, and it is attributed to the late Michael J. McAfee Collection. Mike was a very dear friend and colleague of mine for many years. He was the Museum Director and Curator of the United States Military Academy Museum at West Point, a place I often visited and hung out with Mike to talk Civil War when I lived in nearby Goshen, New York. Mike was also a mainstay at most of the Civil War conventions in the northeast. Roger D. Hunt, a Union photographic expert, who was also a close friend of mine is the author of "Brevet Brigadier Generals in Blue," and his multi-volume Union Colonels series is a must have. I was extremely fortunate to have two such great mentors growing up in the Civil War business.

19th New York National Guard Infantry

Commanded by Colonel William R. Brown, the regiment was ordered to Washington, D.C., on May 27, 1862. They were mustered into the U.S. Service for 9 months at Baltimore, and served at Baltimore and along the line of the railroad from Baltimore to Havre de Grace, until being mustered out in Sept. 1862.

168th New York Infantry

Commanded by Colonel William R. Brown, the 168th New York Infantry, was organized at Newburgh, N.Y., and mustered into the U.S. Service, on Feb. 11, 1863. They left the state on Feb. 12, 1863, for Baltimore, Md., and then moved on to Norfolk, Va., where they were assigned to Busteed's Independent Brigade, 4th Army Corps, Department of Virginia, to April 1863. Subsequently served in King's Independent Brigade, 4th Army Corps until June, when it was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps, to July 1863. Served in the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 11th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, until October 1863.

The 168th served as part of the garrison at Yorktown, Va., they took part in a skirmish at Walkerton Va., in May, saw action during Dix's Peninsula Campaign, and were engaged in a fight at Yorktown, Va. in early June. They also took part in a number of other minor engagements in the area and then pursued General Robert E. Lee's Army to Manassas Gap, Va., July 14-24. They ended their service by doing guard duty along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, until their muster out of service, on October 31, 1863.