38th Pennsylvania Regiment Infantry, 9th PA Reserve in the American Civil War

Overview

The 38th Pennsylvania Infantry (also known as the 9th Pennsylvania Reserve) was an infantry regiment organized for three years’ service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was primarily composed of eight companies from Allegheny County, with additional companies from Crawford and Beaver Counties. It was organized at Camp Wright near Pittsburgh and mustered into U.S. service on July 28, 1861. The 38th Pennsylvania Infantry served in the Eastern Theater, participating in several major campaigns and battles as part of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps.

This unit is distinct from any Pennsylvania infantry regiments with different service terms or designations.

Organization & Service

The 38th Pennsylvania Infantry (9th Pennsylvania Reserve) was organized at Camp Wright, near Pittsburgh, and left for Washington, D.C. on July 22, 1861. The regiment was mustered into federal service for a three years’ term on July 28, 1861. Upon arrival in Washington, it was sent to Tennallytown on August 5 and assigned to picket duty at Great Falls in September. The regiment went into winter quarters at Langley, Virginia, and was attached to the 3rd Brigade of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, initially under Colonel John S. McCalmont and later under General E.O.C. Ord.

The regiment saw its first significant action at the Battle of Dranesville in December 1861, where members of the 38th were commended for gallantry. In March 1862, the regiment left winter quarters and joined the Army of the Potomac on the Peninsula, participating in the battles of Mechanicsville, Gaines’ Mill, and Glendale, suffering considerable losses. The 38th then joined General Pope’s army and fought at the Second Battle of Bull Run. It subsequently served under General McClellan at Antietam, where Private Samuel Johnson of Company G captured the flag of the Texan Rangers and was awarded the Medal of Honor.

At Fredericksburg, the regiment’s first colonel, Conrad F. Jackson, then commanding the brigade, was mortally wounded. Following Fredericksburg, the Pennsylvania Reserves were ordered to Washington to rest and recruit. In June 1863, the 1st and 3rd Brigades were assigned to the V Corps under General Sykes and fought at Gettysburg. The regiment continued to serve with the Army of the Potomac during the summer and participated in the Mine Run Campaign. At the onset of the Battle of the Wilderness in May 1864, the regiment was relieved from duty and returned to Washington. The 38th Pennsylvania Infantry was mustered out at Pittsburgh on May 13, 1864. Veterans and recruits were transferred to the 190th Pennsylvania Infantry.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Battle of Dranesville (December 1861)
• Peninsula Campaign (Spring–Summer 1862)
• Battle of Mechanicsville
• Battle of Gaines’ Mill
• Battle of Glendale
• Second Battle of Bull Run
• Battle of Antietam
• Battle of Fredericksburg
• Gettysburg Campaign
• Battle of Gettysburg
• Mine Run Campaign
• Relieved at the beginning of the Battle of the Wilderness (May 1864)

Casualties

According to official reports, the 38th Pennsylvania Infantry (9th Pennsylvania Reserve) sustained significant losses in several major engagements. Exact figures for killed, wounded, and died of disease are not consistently reported in all primary sources. Fox’s Regimental Losses and the Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s reports indicate heavy losses at Gaines’ Mill, Glendale, and Gettysburg. For precise numbers, consult the cited sources below.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Conrad F. Jackson (promoted to brigade command; mortally wounded at Fredericksburg)
• Colonel Robert Anderson
• Lieutenant Colonel Robert Anderson
• Lieutenant Colonel J. McK. Snodgrass
• Major J. McK. Snodgrass
• Major Charles Barnes

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 38th Pennsylvania Infantry (9th Pennsylvania Reserve), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 38th Pennsylvania Infantry (9th Pennsylvania Reserve) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes
• Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report, 1861–1865
• Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
• Fox, William F., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
• The Union Army, Federal Publishing Company, 1908, Volume 1
• Contemporary wartime reports and regimental documents