58th Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 58th Pennsylvania Infantry (Union) was an infantry regiment organized in Pennsylvania during the American Civil War. The regiment was mustered into United States service at Philadelphia between September 21, 1861, and March 1, 1862. Serving in the Eastern Theater, the 58th Pennsylvania participated in operations in Virginia and North Carolina, and was attached to various commands including the XVIII Corps. The regiment is noted for its involvement in the assault on Fort Harrison and its extended service, mustering out in January 1866.

Organization & Service

The 58th Pennsylvania Infantry was formed by consolidating companies recruited in Philadelphia and surrounding counties by J. Richter Jones with companies raised in Warren, McKean, Cameron, Clinton, Northumberland, Luzerne, and Potter counties by Carlton B. Curtis. The regiment departed Pennsylvania for Fortress Monroe in two detachments on March 8, 1862, arriving during the historic engagement between the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia. It encamped at Camp Hamilton and soon participated in the expedition to Norfolk under General Wool, performing provost guard duty in Norfolk and later in Portsmouth until October 1862.

Ordered to Suffolk in October 1862, the regiment remained there until January 1863, participating in expeditions to the Blackwater River. In January 1863, the 58th moved to Beaufort, North Carolina, and camped at Batchelder’s Creek Station near New Berne. The regiment surprised a Confederate camp at Sandy Ridge in February, capturing 143 prisoners. It was engaged on the Neuse Road and at Cone Creek in April, and participated in the action at Gum Swamp in May, capturing enemy works and prisoners. Colonel Jones was killed at Batchelder’s Creek in May 1863 and succeeded by Lieutenant Colonel Curtis.

After moving to New Berne and then to Washington, North Carolina, the regiment performed garrison and provost duty until April 1864, taking part in several expeditions. In May 1864, the 58th joined General Butler’s army at Yorktown for operations against Richmond, was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, XVIII Corps, and participated in the campaign south of the James River. The regiment was engaged on May 9, suffering losses, and assisted in destroying the Petersburg & Richmond Railroad. It fought at Cold Harbor in June, incurring further casualties, and participated in the initial assaults on Petersburg before being relieved and returning to Point of Rocks.

Veteran reenlisted men received furlough in June 1864, while non-reenlisted members remained on duty. The regiment returned to the front in August and, with the 188th Pennsylvania, led the assault on Fort Harrison in September, suffering heavy losses. Later that day, it attacked the “Star Fort” but was forced to retire. The regiment continued with guard and fatigue duties, participated in actions at Fair Oaks and Spring Hill, and was present during the final campaign leading to the surrender of Lee. After the war, the 58th Pennsylvania served in southern Virginia until mustered out at City Point, Virginia, on January 24, 1866.

Research This Regiment Further

If you’d like to explore this unit’s history in more depth, regimental histories and Civil War reference works offer valuable detail.

Engagements & Campaigns

  • Expedition to Norfolk (May 1862)
  • Provost and guard duty at Norfolk and Portsmouth (1862)
  • Expeditions to Blackwater River (late 1862)
  • Operations near New Berne and Batchelder’s Creek, North Carolina (1863)
  • Action at Sandy Ridge (February 1863)
  • Engagements on Neuse Road and Cone Creek (April 1863)
  • Action at Gum Swamp (May 1863)
  • Action at Batchelder’s Creek (May 1863)
  • Garrison and provost duty at Washington, North Carolina (1863–1864)
  • Butler’s Bermuda Hundred Campaign (May–June 1864)
  • Engagement south of the James River (May 9, 1864)
  • Destruction of Petersburg & Richmond Railroad (May 1864)
  • Battle of Cold Harbor (June 1864)
  • First assaults on Petersburg (June 1864)
  • Assault on Fort Harrison (September 29, 1864)
  • Attack on “Star Fort” (September 29, 1864)
  • Action at Fair Oaks (October 1864)
  • Action at Spring Hill (December 1864)
  • Final campaign and occupation of Petersburg and Richmond (1865)

Casualties

During its service, the 58th Pennsylvania Infantry suffered significant losses, particularly at Fort Harrison, where it lost 6 officers and 128 men out of 9 officers and 228 men engaged. The regiment also sustained casualties at Cold Harbor and in other actions. Exact total losses by category (killed, wounded, died of disease) are not fully detailed in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel J. Richter Jones (killed in action, May 1863)
  • Colonel Carlton B. Curtis
  • Colonel Cecil Clay
  • Lieutenant Colonel Montgomery Martin
  • Lieutenant Colonel Charles A. Winn
  • Lieutenant Colonel Robert C. Redmond
  • Major Henry Metcalf
  • Major Joseph E. Johnson
  • Captains Leiper and Jackson (commanded detachments during furlough period)

Regimental Roster

The full roster of officers and enlisted men who served in the 58th Pennsylvania Infantry is available on the regiment’s roster page. This roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details valuable for genealogical and historical research.

To view the complete roster, visit the 58th Pennsylvania Infantry Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts
  • Pennsylvania State Adjutant General’s Reports
  • 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
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