Impressions 173rd New York Infantry

[Mississippian1861]

My impression of the 173th New York Infantry during the Port Hudson campaign. The 173rd was known as the "4th Metropolitan Guard" one of five (131st, 133rd, 162nd, 173rd, 174th) "Metropolitan Guard" regiments raised by the Police Departments of New York City and Brooklyn in the fall of 1862. It was intended for the regiments to be brigaded together like the famous "Excelsior" Brigade of the Army of the Potomac, but the regiments were shipped piecemeal to Louisiana and mostly ended up in separate brigades and divisions, with only the 133rd and 173rd being in the same brigade.
In April 1863 when Banks lead his army off into the wilds of the Louisiana swamps many regiments left their knapsacks and woolen blankets in storage at Baton Rouge and New Orleans, taking only rubber blankets and ponchos as protection from the elements. This impression reflects that.

 

[bdtex]

Well done sir. Been to Port Hudson many times, including 2 reenactments and some living histories.

 

[iron bender]

Roll over to P-Hill. 173rd fought right around this location...but guessing you've already been there!

 

[OhioBlue16]

Looks pretty good! Who made your sack coat?

 

[Mississippian1861]

Looks pretty good! Who made your sack coat?

It was made by Chris Daley.

 

[Mississippian1861]

Roll over to P-Hill. 173rd fought right around this location...but guessing you've already been there!

View attachment 553433

Actually I've never been to Pleasant Hill. I lived in SW Louisiana for several years while my dad was stationed at Ft. Polk, but moved away in middle school.

 

[Story]

I had to look those guys up

173rd New York Infantry Regiment's Civil War Newspaper Clippings :: New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center

museum.dmna.ny.gov

 

[WatashMC]

OK, this is a long shot, but I'm desperate. On the 173rd NYSV web page, there are a series of letters that were written by Capt. Nathaniel Augustus Conklin. One of the letters mentions a "detailed, hand-drawn map" of the Alexandria, La., area, but that map is not posted on the website. I would REALLY like to get a good scan of that map to put in the Forts Randolph and Buhlow State Historic Site museum. The website says the Conklin letters were posted with permission of the owner, Mr. William Howard. Can anyone get me in touch with Mr. Howard? Anyone know anyone who is in contact with the 173rd NYSV? Thanks in advance for any help.