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This regiment, Col. Richard C. Enright, was organized at New York City, for Meagher's, the Irish, Brigade, and received its State numerical designation November 2, 1861. It was mustered in the service of the United States for three years in September, October and November, 1861. June 12, 1863, the regiment was consolidated into a battalion of two companies, A and B. January 12, 1864, the men enlisted for the Kings County Volunteers, a regiment Col. Michael Murphy received authority to recruit, June 2, 1863, were assigned to the battalion as Company C; this company was mustered in September 21, 1863. In April, 1864, new Companies D and E, and in June, 1864, new Company F, joined the battalion. At the expiration of its term of service the men entitled thereto were discharged and the battalion retained in service.
The original companies of the regiment were recruited in New York City, portions of Companies A and E, however, came from Boston, Mass., and Company K — Faugh-o-Ballagh — from Albany; new Company C was recruited principally at Brooklyn, the other new companies mostly in New York City.The regiment left the State November 28, 1861; served in the Irish, Meagher's, Brigade, Sumner's Division, Army of the Potomac, from November 30, 1861; in same, 2d, Brigade, Richardson's 1st Division, 2d Corps, Army of the Potomac, from March 13, 1862, and, commanded by Col. James D. Brady, it was honorably discharged and mustered out June 30, 1865, at Alexandria, Va.
The 63rd New York Volunteer Infantry fought all of its battles with Irish Brigade on the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War. Forming in 1861, the Regiment fought at many major battles, losing hundreds of men. In the early years of the war the regiment participated in the Siege of Yorktown, the Battle of Seven Pines, and Malvern Hill. Shortly after, the 63rd saw major action during the 1862 year at Antietam and Fredericksburg. In total, the 63rd New York lost over 160 men in the fighting. After the year of 1862, the 63rd and the Irish Brigade saw intense action once again. The 63rd fought at both Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. Although they did not take heavy losses at either battle, the 63rd held their ground and dealt devastating volleys at the enemy. After 1863, the regiment continued fighting all the way until the end of the way. The 63rd participated in many of the major Eastern Theater battles during the end of the war such as the Wilderness Campaign and Appomattox. Starting in the very beginning of the war and simmering at the end of the war, the 63rd has carried a legacy due to their brilliant performance on the field.
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63rd Private
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