Col., Peter J. Claassen; Lieut.-Cols., Charles E. Prescott, George H. Hitchcock; Majs., George H. Hitchcock, John Waller, Jr., John B. Houstain, Thomas B. Green. This regiment, known as the Hillhouse Light Guards, recruited in New York city, Brooklyn and the state at large, was organized at East New York and was mustered into the U. S. service for three years on Oct. 4, 1862, at Washington, D. C. The regiment left the state Sept. 27, 1862, about 900 strong, and spent nearly its entire term of service in North Carolina, engaged in outpost and garrison duty, part of the time unattached and part of the time attached to the 18th corps. A portion of Co. D was composed of Allegany, Cattaraugus and Tuscarora Indians, the 1st lieutenant and 1st sergeant being full-blooded redskins. The regiment took part in the engagements at Pollocksville, Trenton, Young's cross-roads, New Berne, Blount's creek, Sandy ridge, Batchelder's creek, Southwest creek, Jackson's mill, Gardner's bridge, Foster's mills, Butler's bridge, and in the campaign of the Carolinas at Wise's forks, Snow hill, and Bennett's house. The severest loss sustained by the regiment was at the battle of New Berne in Feb., 1864, when it lost 91 in killed, wounded and missing. During this battle, Cos. D, E and G defended the bridge on the Neuse river against three successive attacks of the enemy, but were finally forced to retire when the enemy was reinforced, after 4 hours of hard fighting. The 132nd is credited with saving New Berne from capture on this occasion. Lieut. Arnold Zenette, the only commissioned officer killed, fell in this action. At the battle of Wise's forks the regiment lost 24 in killed, wounded and missing. It was mustered out under Col. Claassen, June 29, 1865, at Salisbury, N. C., having lost by death during service, I officer and 13 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded; I officer and 159 enlisted men died of disease and other causes, a total of 174, of whom 71 died in the hands of the enemy.
