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Administrative History

Originally formed in June 1847, the 12th Regiment, initially known as the 11th Regiment, was composed of ten companies from a number of existing units. The regiment served for several three month terms during the Civil War, including the surrender of Harper's Ferry, at which the entire regiment was taken prisoner by Stonewall Jackson. The regiment also served in the Orange Riots of 1871, the railroad riots of 1877, the switchman's strike in Buffalo of 1892, and the motormen's strike in Brooklyn of 1895.

The 12th Regiment was mustered into federal service on May 13, 1898 at Camp Townsend in Peekskill, NY. It was also officially designated as the "12th Regiment Infantry, New York Vols." that same day. It was moved south to Camp George H. Thomas in Chickamauga Park, TN after only a few days in Peekskill. On August 24, 1898 the regiment was sent to Lexington, KY for garrison duty and then was shipped on to Americus, GA to set up a new camp. On December 26th the 12th Regiment left camp en route for Cuba, where it arrived on January 1, 1899 and took up garrison duty at Matanzas and Cardenas. On March 20, 1899 the regiment was sent home to New York City where it arrived on March 27th, and was mustered out on April 20, 1899.