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45th
Pennsylvania Infantry
Online Books
45th
Pennsylvania Infantry Soldier Roster - History of Pennsylvania
Volunteers, 1861-5, Volume 1 by Samuel P Bates, 1869
View Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Forty-fifth Infantry. — Cols., Thomas Welsh, John L.
Curtin ; Lieut.- Cols., James A. Beaver, John I. Curtin, Francis M.
Hills, Theodore Gregg; Majs., J. M. Kilbourne, John I. Curtin, Edward A.
Kelsey, Theodore Gregg, John F. Trout. The 45th regiment, recruited in
the counties of Center, Lancaster, Mifflin, Tioga and Wayne, was
mustered into the U. S. service for a three years' term, Oct. 21, 1861,
at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg. Arriving in Washington on Oct. 23, it was
assigned to Howard's brigade, Casey's division, and went into camp on
the Bladensburg road. On Nov. 19, it embarked for Fortress Monroe, where
it remained at Camp Hamilton until Dec. 6. It then sailed for Port
Royal, S. C, where it occupied Bay Point, Otter and Fenwick Islands. Six
companies were stationed on North Edisto island in May, 1862, and on
June 1, three companies were sent to John's island. The remainder of the
regiment, with the exception of the companies stationed at Bay Point,
followed to John's island and on the 9th, the command sailed for James
island near Charlestown, where it shared in the engagements and then
returned to Hilton Head. Here the regiment was reunited and embarked for
Fortress Monroe on July 21, encamping on its arrival near Newport News.
Early in August, with the 1st brigade, 1st division, 9th corps, nine
companies moved to Brooks' station and returned to Acquia creek,
destroying railroad property and commissary stores. On Sept. 6, it
embarked for Washington; joined the Army of the Potomac and participated
in the battle of South mountain, but was held in reserve at
Fredericksburg. The 45th was in camp at Falmouth until Feb. 12, 1863,
then at Newport News until May 22, when it was ordered west. It arrived
at Jamestown, Ky., on June 1, but was at once obliged to continue its
journey to Vicksburg. It was posted at Haines' bluff, and from there
joined in the pursuit of the foe to Jackson. Returning to Vicksburg on
July 21, the regiment embarked for Cairo, then proceeded to East
Tennessee and was engaged at Blue Springs. It participated in the siege
of Knoxville and the arduous pursuit which followed. In Jan., 1864, 426
members of the 45th reenlisted and were granted a veteran furlough, but
took the field again in May. In the Wilderness campaign, with the 1st
brigade, 2nd division, 9th corps, the 45th engaged at the Wilderness,
Spottsylvania, the North Anna river and Cold Harbor. It joined in the
siege of Petersburg and in the assault of June 18, the 1st brigade was
in the advance. Gen. Burnside's official report says : "No better
fighting was done in the war than by the divisions of Potter and Willcox
in this attack." At the attack on the Weldon railroad, the explosion of
the mine and the battle at Poplar Spring Church, the conduct of the 45th
was heroic. Corp. Frank Hogan of Co. A won a medal of honor for the
capture of the flag of the 6th Va. in the action at the mine. In the
many engagements of the summer the losses of the regiment were severe.
At Poplar Spring Church the remnant of the troops were surrounded and
after a desperate attempt to fight their way out were captured. With the
addition of recruits the regiment participated in the action at
Hatcher's run in Oct., 1864, and in the final assault on Petersburg,
April 2, 1865. It joined in the pursuit, took part in the grand review
of the Union army at Washington, and was mustered out at Alexandria,
Va., July 17, 1865. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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