New York Guard
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New York Guard MP's on post in New York City. |
The
New York Guard is the name of the
State Defense Force of
New York State. Now with a unified command structure, until June 2006 it contained an Army Division and an Air Division. The the mission of the New York Guard is to augment, assist and support the
New York Army National Guard and
New York Air National Guard respectively and civil authorities in New York State. New York also has a
New York Naval Militia which, with the State Guard and the Army and Air National Guards, is under the command of the
Governor of New York, the
Adjutant General and New York's
Division of Military and Naval Affairs. The New York State Guard is one of the largest and best organized State Guards in the United States and is historically derived from Revolutionary and Civil War era State military units that were reorganized several times in American history in response to various international and domestic crises.
Many units of New York State militia saw service in the
American Civil War, after being activated into Federal service by
President Abraham Lincoln.
Chain of Command
The activation of state militia by
President Abraham Lincoln led to some conflict with
State authorities in command of the units: "With the advent of the Civil War in April, 1861, the 14th regiment saw its first war service in guarding the
Brooklyn Navy Yard. By mid-April of that year, the "
Brooklyn Chasseurs" were ready to leave New York for Washington D.C. Colonel
Alfred Wood advised the Honorable
Edwin Morgan Governor of New York that the regiment was prepared to march and had accepted a three year federal enlistment. However, the governor would not issue orders for the regiment to leave New York. While encamped at
Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn , Colonel Wood and Congressman
Moses O'Dell went to see President Lincoln to secure orders for the regiment to march to Washington. President Lincoln lost no time in issuing those orders to the 14th Brooklyn. When Governor Morgan learned that the regiment was preparing to march, he telegraphed Colonel Wood and inquired "by what authority" did he move his regiment, Colonel Wood coolly replied, "By the authority of the President of the United States."[
1]
7th Regiment, New York State Militia
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The New York Seventh in Washington, D.C., 1861. |
The
7th Regiment of the New York Militia left New York City for Washington, D.C., on special call of President Lincoln April 19, 1861, arriving
Annapolis Junction,
Maryland, and opening communications with Washington April 24-25.
The Regiment was housed in the Capitol Buildings at Washington April 25-May 2, and was mustered into United States service April 26, serving duty at
Camp Cameron, Meridian Hill, May 2-23.
After occupation of Arlington Heights, Va., May 24-26, it assisted in building Fort Runyon and was mustered out at New York City June 3, 1861.
Again mustered in for three months' service May 25, 1862. Left New York City for Baltimore, Md., May 26. Attached to Dix's Command, Middle Department, to July, 1862. 8th Army Corps, Middle Department, to September, 1862. Camp at Stewart's Hill, Baltimore, Md., May 28 to June 5, and duty at Fort Federal Hill. June 6 to August 28. Mustered out at New York City September 5, 1862.
Again mustered in for thirty days' service June 16, 1863. Left State for Baltimore, Md., June 17. Attached to Morris' Brigade, 8th Army Corps, Middle Department, to July 7. 3rd Division, 3rd Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to July 15. Duty at Fort Federal Hill and provost duty in Baltimore, Md., June 18 to July 5. Ordered to Frederick, Md., July 5, and picket and outpost duty there until July 14. Reached New York July 16. On duty during
New York Draft Riots July 16-21. Mustered out July 21, 1863.
On 3 August 1917, the
Adjutant General of New York, in order to comply with the provisions of the State Constitution requiring that troops be available to the Governor for the protection of life and property of the citizens of New York, organized a State Military Force known as the New York Guard. The new force replaced the New York National Guard, drafted in the service of the United States on 5 August 1917.
On January 1st 1919, the Guard numbered 22,000 in active service. After the
Armistice Federalized New York National Guard Units were returned to State control.
With the advent of
World War II, New York National Guard units were Federalized and the New York Guard was created for service to the State.[
2]
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Official NY State Homepage of the New York Guard*
New York Civil War Regiments online*
List of New York Military Units in the Civil War*
History of the NY State Militia 14th Regiment from Brooklyn*
20th New York State Militia - Ulster Guard
