51st Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 51st Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment from Pennsylvania that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, the regiment mustered into service on November 16, 1861, under Colonel John F. Hartranft. The unit was composed primarily of men from Montgomery, Union, Snyder, Center, and Northampton counties. The 51st Pennsylvania served in the Eastern and Western Theaters, participating in numerous major campaigns and battles throughout its service until mustering out in July 1865.

Organization & Service

The 51st Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was recruited during the summer and fall of 1861, with its organization completed at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, on November 16, 1861. The regiment departed for Annapolis, Maryland, two days later, where it remained until January 1862, assigned to the 2nd Brigade (General Reno), Burnside’s Corps. In February 1862, the regiment took part in Burnside’s expedition to North Carolina, participating in the capture of Roanoke Island and the battle of New Berne. It was also engaged at Camden, suffering casualties.

After returning to Fortress Monroe in July 1862, the 51st was attached to the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 9th Corps, under General Ferrero. It fought at Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, and Antietam, where it sustained significant losses, including several officers killed or wounded. The regiment was engaged at Fredericksburg in December 1862, then moved to Kentucky in March 1863, serving at various posts before joining the Vicksburg Campaign in June. The 51st participated in operations at Mill Dale, Oak Ridge, and Jackson, Mississippi, before returning to Kentucky and then moving to Knoxville, Tennessee, where it endured the siege by Longstreet’s forces and subsequent winter hardships.

On January 5, 1864, the regiment reenlisted as a veteran organization and was granted a furlough in Pennsylvania. Upon returning, it was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 9th Corps, and took part in the Overland Campaign, including the battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Cold Harbor. Colonel Schall was killed at Cold Harbor, and command passed to Lieutenant Colonel Bolton. The regiment was heavily engaged at Petersburg, including the assault following the mine explosion, and participated in actions at Weldon Railroad, Poplar Spring Church, Ream’s Station, Hatcher’s Run, and the final assault on Petersburg. The 51st Pennsylvania was mustered out at Alexandria, Virginia, on July 21, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Burnside’s North Carolina Expedition (Roanoke Island, New Berne, Camden)
• Second Bull Run
• Chantilly
• Maryland Campaign (South Mountain, Antietam)
• Fredericksburg
• Vicksburg Campaign
• Jackson, Mississippi
• Knoxville Campaign (Campbell’s Station, Siege of Knoxville)
• Overland Campaign (Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Ny River, Cold Harbor)
• Siege of Petersburg (including the Mine Assault, Weldon Railroad, Poplar Spring Church, Ream’s Station, Hatcher’s Run)
• Final Assault on Petersburg

Casualties

According to official records, the 51st Pennsylvania Infantry suffered significant losses throughout its service. At Antietam alone, the regiment lost 125 men, including several officers. During the Fredericksburg engagement, 12 were killed and 74 wounded. Total losses for the regiment, including those killed, mortally wounded, and died of disease, are reported in Dyer’s Compendium and Fox’s Regimental Losses, but exact aggregate figures may vary between sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John F. Hartranft
• Colonel Edwin Schall
• Colonel William J. Bolton
• Lieutenant Colonel Thomas S. Bell
• Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Schall
• Lieutenant Colonel William Allebaugh
• Major Edwin Schall
• Major William J. Bolton
• Major Lane S. Hart
• Major Joseph K. Bolton

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 51st Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides details on company assignments, ranks, and service records.

To view the full roster, visit the 51st Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 9, 12, 19, 21, 27, 36, 39, 40, 46 (various parts and pages)
• Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report
• 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, Vol. 1