About Today’s 5th N.Y.
Duryee Zouaves, Company D
We are a not-for-profit entity. Our mission is to honor those whom we portray from the American Civil War and to relay to the public their stories, most especially the men of the 5th and the 20th as well as civilians in our group who interpret the role of men and women of the time, especially in the Sanitary Commission and military camp life. We are members of the United States Volunteer (https://www.usvolunteers.org/usv.html).
The modern 5th N.Y. Co. D was formed in 2006. In the original 5th regiment, there were thirty men from the Hudson River town of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. who traveled by train to New York City to enlist with the volunteer regiment that Adam Duryee was commissioned to lead in 1861. In the 1980’s, the famed military historian, Brian C. Pohanka became the Captain of the noted 5th N.Y., Co. A, re-enacting regiment. Brian’s knowledge of the 5th, his keen ability to lead and inculcate with historical accuracy the deportment, discipline and swagger of the original 5th into Co. A, was well recognized. Shortly after his untimely death in 2005, the “Poughkeepsie Boyz”, led by Jim Shockley, Captain, and 1st Sgt., Zane Every, and several other former Co. A folks, started the 5th N.Y., Co. D in the Hudson Valley. In 2010 I became the President of Co. D.
After the retirement of Jim Shockley as Captain, Don Arns took the reins of the 5th. Through the 150 anniversary cycle, the 5th Co. D was a prominent line company in the USV. In the 1861-1863 re-enactments, we portrayed the 5th N.Y. and the 95th N.Y in the July 1863-1865 events. Most memorable re-enactments included our participation in the 150th Anniversary Civil War Battles of Gains Mill, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Cedar Creek, Bentonville and 155 Gains Mill in 2017.
In 2022 I became the Captain of Co. D. We participate in several Memorial Day Parades and local living histories in the Hudson Valley each year. We have fallen in at 160 Gettysburg and Cedar Creek have been back in the field at Geiger. Each November we look forward to Remembrance Day in Gettysburg.
Recently we have chosen the 20th New York State Militia (80th N.Y.) to be our second impression. We look forward to continued success as we march on to, “… do it right, keep alive the honor of the brave folks we portray and keep the comradery we share around the camp fire aglow!” If you wish to consider joining us, please reach out to me. I will be glad to speak with you!
