page_title: 45th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment
section_title: Eastern Theater
hierarchical_section_title: 45th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment / Service / Eastern Theater
context_page_description: The 45th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, also known as the 5th German Rifles, was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was composed almost entirely of German immigrants. Formed approximately five months after the start of hostilities, the unit's service spanned almost the entirety of the war, and it saw action in several of the war's noteworthy battles, in both the Eastern and Western Theaters.
context_section_description: On December 2, 1861, while stationed in winter quarters at Hunter's Chapel, the regiment saw its first action of the war in a skirmish several miles to the south-west at Annandale, Virginia.  Pickets of Company A were surprised by Confederate cavalry, who had been mistaken for Union forces.  It was during this engagement that the regiment also received its first casualties, all from Company A, with private Carsten Huhnenberg killed in action and 12 others missing.
  In April 1862 Blenker's Division was transferred to the Mountain Department under Major General John C. Frémont, in response to the threat to Washington posed by Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign.  The 45th Regiment arrived at Winchester, Virginia, on the Northern end of the Shenandoah Valley, on April 19, 1862.  On May 1, 1862, the 45th left Winchester for Fremont's camp near Petersburg, approximately 70 miles west through mountainous terrain.  It arrived in Petersburg between May 9 and 11, 1862.  According to Fremont, much of Blenker's division arrived late, exhausted, exposed to hardship, and severely lacking in equipment, with particular need of shoes, blankets, and overcoats.  One statement in his report illustrates their state of supply; "In the important matter of arms there was great deficiency, Belgian or Austrian muskets of old and indifferent patterns being carried by many of the regiments."
  Despite the condition of Blenker's troops and the arrival of the last of them in Petersburg less than 24 hours prior, reaction to Jackson's movements prompted Fremont to immediately redeploy the division to Franklin, 30 miles to the south.  At 4am on May 12, 1862, the division forded the Shenandoah and started for Franklin.  It arrived before noon on May 14, 1862, having camped only one night on the way.  Provisions during this time were in short supply.  On May 25, 1862 Blenker's division was again on the march for Petersburg, arriving the next day, and on May 27, 1862, proceeded through storms and night marches to Strasburg, 60 miles east.  The troops were allowed one day's rest en route, as demanded by Fremont's medical director, allowing "hundreds of stragglers and broken down men from the Blenker division" to catch up.
  On June 8, 1862, it was engaged in the Battle of Cross Keys, in which it suffered a total of 19 casualties.  During this battle the regiment took part in a three-hour assault on a Confederate position in the woods on the road to Port Republic, which included hand-to-hand fighting with Bayonets.  It subsequently retired to Middletown, Virginia.  At this time many of the men were on the sick list due to constant and severe marches with insufficient food during May and early June.
  On June 26, 1862, Abraham Lincoln created the Army of Virginia, commanded by Major General John Pope, and the Mountain Department was redesignated as I Corps of this army.  The 45th was assigned to 1st Division (under Brigadier General Robert C. Schenck), 1st Brigade (Brigadier General Julius Stahel) of this new corps.  Fremont resigned rather than serve under Pope, and on June 29, 1862, Major General Franz Sigel, a commander politically calculated to be popular with German troops, assumed command of the corps.  In July and August the regiment was ordered to Sperryville, Madison Court House, Gordonsville, Cuylersville, Cedar Mountain and White Sulphur Springs.  The regiment was engaged in skirmishing at Freeman's Ford and White Sulphur Springs in what is collectively referred to as the First Battle of Rappahannock Station.
  At the end of August 1862 it was engaged in the Second Battle of Bull Run.  During this battle the 45th was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Wratislaw. In the course of Pope's campaign between August 16, 1862, through Second Bull Run the regiment suffered 47 casualties. From September 3–21, 1862, the regiment was encamped at Lewinsville, Virginia.  It was then stationed at Centreville, Virginia, through November 3, 1862.
  While the 45th was at Centreville, pursuant to General Orders No. 129 of September 12, 1862, the I Corps's designation was changed 
caption: von Amsberg's position, 2pm July 1, 1863.  The 45th was on the far left of the skirmish line, in advance of Dilger's battery, along Mummasberg Road.[14]  Further information: Battle of Gettysburg and Gettysburg Union order of Battle
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