Deadly Day for Excelsior Brigade

Deadly Day for Excelsior Brigade. Bristoe Station. Prior to the action along the railroad, Brig. Gen. Nelson Taylor’s New York brigade, better known as the “Excelsior Brigade” came into the field here. Knowing little of the situation before arriving on the field, Taylor observed the unequal fight before him and acted immediately. He dispatched three of his regiments on the run to Carr’s left to stabilize the Federal line and prevent any Confederate flanking movement. He also posted his two reserve regiments to the right of the line to deal with the 60th Georgia along the railroad. The New Yorkers came under a blistering fire from the Louisiana regiments and replied with equal ferocity., The 71st New York Infantry, known as the Jackson Light Infantry, was comprised of men from New York City, Newark, and even a company from Philadelphia. The regiment suffered heavily, losing more than 100 of the 250 men engaged, including their commander, Lt. Col. Henry Potter., The neighboring 73rd New York Infantry, almost entirely volunteer firemen from New York City, lost 53 of the 107 men it took into the fight. On Taylor’s left, the 74th New York Infantry, again primarily from New York City, lost 8 officers and more than 60 men in this field., (Sidebar): We came on an open field in front of a belt of woods to the left of the railroad near Bristoe Station, where we discovered the enemy. They opened fire on us, to which our men smartly and ably responded. The conduct of the officers and men on this occasion was truly excellent…they stood up to the fire like men. , Capt. Owen Murphy, 71st New York Infantry