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31st
Pennsylvania Regiment Infantry, 2nd PA Reserve
Online Books
31st
Pennsylvania Infantry, 2nd PA Reserve Soldier Roster - History of Pennsylvania
Volunteers, 1861-5, Volume 1 by Samuel P Bates, 1869
View Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Thirty-first Infantry. — Cols., William B. Mann,
William McCandless; Lieut.-Cols., Albert L. Magilton, William McCandless,
George A. Woodward, Patrick McDonough ; Majs., George A. Woodward,
Horace Neide, Patrick McDonough, Richard Ellis. This regiment, recruited
mostly in Philadelphia, was the 2nd regiment of the Pa. reserves. On
July 24, 1861, it moved to Harrisburg, but left at once for Baltimore
and then proceeded to Harper's Ferry. So much delay and misunderstanding
occurred that when the regiment was finally mustered in on Aug. 1, a
large number of the men had returned home. The remainder were mustered
in on Aug. 16, at Hyattstown, for three years. Cos. B, F, G and I were
disbanded because their numbers did not come up to the requirements,
though Capt. McDonough of Co. B afterward raised a new company and
joined the regiment. At Tennallytown on Sept. 25, the regiment was
assigned to the 1st brigade of the reserve corps, becoming the 2nd
regiment of the brigade. At the battle of Mechanicsville the regiment
received the brunt of the attack without flinching and was highly
praised by the commanding officer. It was active at Gaines' mill and
Glendale, but was in reserve at Malvern hill. The reserves were under
fire at the second Bull Run and Chantilly, the 2nd subsequently
participating in a sharp engagement on the Old Hagerstown road, near
Frederick. It fought with the 1st brigade of the reserves at South
mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg, after which a short period of
rest followed at Washington. In March, 1863, a detail of Co. F, which
had been on duty with the artillery, rejoined the regiment. Inaction
during the campaign on their own soil was unendurable to the men, and in
response to their urgent appeal the regiment was ordered to Gettysburg,
attached to the 1st brigade, 3d division, 5th corps. In the battle the
Bucktails, 1st, 2nd and 11th, made a brilliant charge into the enemy's
lines, capturing many prisoners and the flag of the 15th Ga. The 2nd was
active at Bristoe Station and in the Mine Run campaign. In the
Wilderness movement, Cos. A, D, E and H were detailed on guard duty from
May 4 to 11. The regiment participated in the battles of the campaign
till June 1, its last battle being fought at Shady Grove Church after
the expiration of its term of enlistment, the men having elected to
remain with the army until the rest of the division was relieved. At
Philadelphia on June 16, 1864, the men were mustered out, the veterans
and recruits being transferred to the 191st Pa. infantry. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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