Officers of the 6th New York Infantry: Col., William Wilson; Lieut.-Cols., John Creighton, Michael Cassidy; Majs., William Newby, James W. Burgess.
The 6th, recruited in New York city and known as Wilson’s Zouaves, was mustered into the U. S. service at Tompkinsville, April 30 and May 25, 1861, for two years.
It left New York city on June 15 on the steamer Vanderbilt for Santa Rosa island, Fla., where it encamped near Fort Pickens. Cos. A, B and C were stationed at Key West and Tortugas, and Cos. G and I at batteries Lincoln and Cameron. The companies remaining at the original camp were attacked in October and fell back to battery Totten.
In Nov., 1861, and Jan., 1862, the fortifications of Pensacola were bombarded, the regiment taking part in the attack, and upon the evacuation of the city in May the 6th was quartered in the town, Cos. G and I being stationed at Fort Barrancas.
It was ordered to New Orleans in Nov., 1862, where it was attached to Sherman’s division and later to Grover’s division, with which it moved to Baton Rouge.
In March, 1863, the 4th division (Grover’s), of the 19th corps was ordered to Brashear City and took part in an expedition to Irish bend, where an engagement ensued in which the 6th was active, as also at Vermillion bayou.
Upon returning it was ordered to Alexandria and there embarked for New York city, where it was mustered out on June 25, 1863. The original members numbered 770, of whom 14 were killed or died of wounds, and 32 died from other causes.
Source: The Union army: a history of military affairs in the loyal states, 1861-65 — records of the regiments in the Union army — cyclopedia of battles — memoirs of commanders and soldiers. Madison, WI: Federal Pub. Co., 1908.