8th New York Infantry Regiment

The 8th New York Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was also known as the First German Rifles or Blenker's Rifles.

Service
The 8th (the ist German Rifles) was recruited in New York city, there mustered into federal service on April 2Zy 1861, for two years, and left for Washington on May 27 under the command of Col. Louis Blenker. At Miller's Farm the troops encamped and on July 10 were ordered to move toward Manassas as part of the 2nd brigade, 4th division of the Army of the Potomac. During the battle of Bull Run the 8th was held in reserve and assisted in covering the retreat. At the beginning of the battle, Varian's New York Battery under the regiment were only one of two 3-month service volunteer units to refuse participation and walk away from the battlefield. Both units were strongly criticized for its actions.

The following winter it was quartered at Roach's Mills and Hunter's Chapel, VA, moved to Winchester in March, 1862, and in May joined Maj. Gen. Fremont at Petersburg. It participated in the pursuit of Lieut. Gen. Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley, and as part of Blenker's division fought at the battles of Cross Keys and New Market. In the battle of Cross Keys its killed, wounded and missing numbered 220 out of a total of 550 engaged.

At Middletown, the 8th was assigned to the 1st brigade, 1st division, I Corps, Army of Virginia, under Maj. Gen. Pope, and with that army took part in the battles of Sulphur springs and the second Bull Run. In September, it became a part of XI Corps and reached Fredericksburg immediately after the battle; camped during the winter at Stafford Court House and Brooks' station, and was mustered out of the service at the latter place on April 23, 1863.

The members whose term of service had not expired were formed into one company, the independent company 8th NY, and performed guard duty at the corps headquarters until April 5, 1864, when they were assigned to the 68th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The 8th lost 93 members by death from wounds, and 40 from disease, accident and imprisonment.

Casualties
The regiment suffered 369 fatalities.

Commanders

 * Colonel Louis Blenker
 * Colonel Julius Stahel
 * Colonel Francis Wutschell
 * Colonel Felix Salm-Salm