Col., Marshall Lefferts; Lieut.-Col., William A.Pond; Maj.,

Alexander Shaler.

This famous regiment of New York city dates its origin from

April, 1806, when Cos. A, B, C and D, were organized at the

time of the excitement created by the British firing on

American vessels off Sandy Hook.

At the beginning of 1861 it was known as one of the best

appointed and drilled militia regiments then in existence.  It

was composed of excellent material, all its members being young

men engaged in active business pursuits in the metropolis,and

was the first New York regiment to leave for the front.

Its departure for Washington, April 19, 1861, was attended by

scenes of great excitement and enthusiasm, its line of march

through the streets of New York being a perfect ovation.

Speaking of the National Guard regiments furnished by New York,

Col.Fox, in his Regimental Losses in the Civil War, says:

“Of these troops, the 7th regiment, National Guard — or 7th

Militia, as it was called — was particularly conspicuous by

the surprising celerity with which it went to the front in time

of need; by its superior drill and equipment; and by the high

standard of personal character which marked its rank and file.

When the war broke out it was among the very first to take the

field, leaving New York with 991 officers and men, and by its

timely arrival at Washington contributed largely to the relief

of the threatened capital.  This, its first enlistment, was for

30 days.

It volunteered again in May,1862, for three months; and again

in June, 1863, for one month.  But the 7th rendered a far

greater and more valuable service to the country by the large

number of efficient and well-drilled soldiers, which went from

its ranks to accept commissions in the new volunteer regiments.

The volunteers were lacking in drill and military experience;

the proficiency of the 7th was well known and membership in its

ranks was a guarantee of character.  Hence the volunteer

service made such demands on it for officers that 603 men of

this regiment were commissioned in other commands during the

war.  It was the West Point of the New York volunteer service.

The 7th has no casualty list of its own, but of the officers

which graduated from its ranks, 41 were killed in battle and 17

died ofdisease while in the service.”

News of the riot in Baltimore, in which some of the soldiers of

the 6th Mass. were killed, was received before the regiment

left New York, and the members were each provided with 48

rounds of ball-cartridge.  On reaching Philadelphia orders were

received to deviate from the route through Baltimore, as it was

highly important that the regiment should reach Washington as

soon as possible.

It moved by rail as far as Perryville and thence by steamer to

Annapolis, whence it made the toilsome march to Washington in

company with the 8th Mass.  It reached the capital on the 26th,

and was at once mustered into the U. S. service for 30 days.

It crossed the Potomac with the first troops, when Alexandria

and Arlington Heights were occupied; assisted in the

construction of Fort Runyon; served at Washington until the

expiration of its term, and was mustered out at New York city,

June 3, 1861.

On the day before it left the capital, an order was issued from

the war department, of which the following is an extract:

“It is the desire of the war department, in relinquishing the

services of this gallant regiment, to make known the

satisfaction that is felt at the prompt and patriotic manner in

which it responded to the call for men to defend the capital,

when it was believed to be in peril, and to acknowledge the

important service which it rendered by appearing here in an

hour of dark and trying necessity.  The time for which it had

engaged has now expired.  The service which it was expected to

perform has been handsomely accomplished, and its members may

return to their native city with the assurance that its

services are gratefully appreciated by all good and loyal

citizens, whilst the government is equally confident that when

the country again calls upon them, the appeal will not be made

in vain to the young men of New York.”

On May 25, 1862, when Stonewall Jackson’s strong column

suddenly invaded the Valley of the Shenandoah and again

seriously endangered the national capital, the 7th, still

commanded by Col. Lefferts, once more promptly tendered its

services to the general government.  As in 1861, it was the

first of the militia regiments in readiness to leave for the

front.

On its arrival at Baltimore it was halted and ordered to report

to Gen. Dix, commanding the Middle Department, with

headquarters at Baltimore, and on June 19, 1862, it was

mustered into the U. S.service for three months, to date from

May 25.  Most of this term was spent at and near Baltimore.  It

was mustered out at New York city, Sept. 9, 1862.

On June 16, 1863, at the time of Lee’s invasion of the north,

the 7th once more entered the U. S. service, being mustered in

at New York city for 30 days.  It left the state on the 17th,

under command of Col. Lefferts, and served at Baltimore, and

Frederick, Md.,in the 2nd separate brigade, 8th corps, Middle

Department, until assigned on July 7, at Frederick, to the 3d

division of the 3d corps, under command of Maj.-Gen. French.

For several days after the battle of Gettysburg Col. Lefferts

was in command of the city of Frederick.  On July 14, the 7th

received orders to report to Maj.-Gen. Wool during the draft

riots in New York City, and arrived in New York on the 16th.

It was mustered out on July 20.

During its service in 1861 it lost 1 man, accidentally killed.

On the three occasions when it was called into service it had a

unique record for the promptness and alacrity with which it

responded to each call to arms.