William F. Fox, Lt. Col. U. S. V., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War, 1861-1865: A Treatise on the extent and nature of the mortuary losses in the Union regiments, with full and exhaustive statistics compiled from the official records on file in the state military bureaus and at Washington

New York.--The Empire State furnished the most men and sustained the heaviest loss of any State in the War. It sent 448,850 men to the Union Armies, of whom 19,085 were killed in battle, while 27,449 more lost their lives from other causes while in the service; a total of 46,534 deaths.

In addition to the number of men furnished, as just stated, New York sent 17,000 militia to the field for thirty days, which were not credited on the required quota. The National Guard of New York took a prominent and meritorious part in the war. In various emergencies it hastened to the front with a promptness that was surprising. Many of these militia regiments — notably those from the city of New York--were well drilled, perfectly equipped, and rendered valuable service — not only in guarding the lines of communication, but on the battlefield itself. At First Bull Run the three-months men of the New York State National Guard--the 8th, 69th, and 71st Regiments--fought with a gallantry unsurpassed on all that bloody field.

Nor was this all. Some of the National Guard regiments enlisted for three years, and taking the field promptly at the first call, gave the country the benefit of their previous drill and military experience. In this meritorious class were the 2d Regiment Militia, or 82d Volunteers; the 9th Militia, or 83d Volunteers; the 14th Brooklyn, or 84th Volunteers; the 20th Militia (Ulster Guard), or the 80th Volunteers; and the 79th “Highlanders.”