99th New York Infantry, the Union Coast Guard-- Part 1

From the Civil War in the East "99th NY Infantry Regt. 'Union Coast Guard'."

I have been writing about this unit a lot in connection with Captain Lee and the Army gunboat Smith Briggs.

The regiment was organized in New York City as the Naval Brigade, to be provided with gunboats to cruise the Atlantic coast. They were an Army unit, but one that was at sea. I would imagine members of the 99th were familiar with the sea, just not in the Navy.

Companies G. H. I and K were recruited primarily from Massachusetts. Companies A through F also had many Massachusetts men.

The original commander was Col. William A. Bartlett.

--Old Secesh