71st Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 71st Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), originally known as the “California Regiment,” was an infantry regiment organized in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in April and May 1861. Raised under the direction of U.S. Senator Edward D. Baker with special authority from President Lincoln, the regiment was mustered into United States service for three years at Fort Schuyler, near New York City. Initially treated as a regular army unit, it was later claimed by Pennsylvania and credited to the state’s quota. The regiment served in the Army of the Potomac and participated in many of the major campaigns and battles of the Eastern Theater.

Organization & Service

The 71st Pennsylvania Infantry was recruited rapidly in Philadelphia, reaching over 1,100 men within a month. The regiment mustered in at Fort Schuyler and, after a brief period of training, proceeded to Fortress Monroe on July 1, 1861. It was assigned to picket and scout duty before moving to Washington following the First Battle of Bull Run. In October 1861, the regiment joined the Philadelphia Brigade under Col. Baker in Stone’s Division, Banks’ Army, and saw its first significant combat at Ball’s Bluff, where Col. Baker was killed and the regiment suffered heavy losses.

After Ball’s Bluff, the regiment’s depleted ranks were replenished, and it entered winter quarters. In the spring of 1862, the 71st participated in the Peninsula Campaign as part of Sedgwick’s Division, Sumner’s Corps, engaging at Fair Oaks, Chickahominy, Savage Station, Charles City Cross Roads, and Malvern Hill. Following the Seven Days Battles, the regiment was reorganized, consolidating its companies. It marched with Sumner’s Corps to the Second Battle of Bull Run, serving as rear guard during Pope’s retreat.

The regiment was in reserve at South Mountain but fought heavily at Antietam, where Col. Wistar was wounded and later promoted. The 71st then participated in the Fredericksburg Campaign as part of the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, II Corps, suffering significant casualties. It was in reserve at Chancellorsville and returned to Falmouth afterward.

At Gettysburg, the regiment arrived on July 1, 1863, and was posted on Cemetery Ridge near the Angle, enduring severe losses during Pickett’s Charge. The 71st continued to serve in subsequent campaigns, including Auburn, Bristoe Station, Robertson’s Tavern, and the Mine Run Campaign. In the Overland Campaign of 1864, it fought at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Cold Harbor, where it sustained further losses. The regiment’s term expired in June 1864; veterans and recruits were transferred to the 69th Pennsylvania Infantry, and the remaining men mustered out in Philadelphia on July 2, 1864. Of the original 2,200 men enrolled, only 153 returned to be mustered out.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Ball’s Bluff
• Peninsula Campaign (including Fair Oaks, Chickahominy, Savage Station, Charles City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill)
• Second Bull Run (rear guard)
• Antietam
• Fredericksburg
• Chancellorsville (in reserve)
• Gettysburg
• Auburn
• Bristoe Station
• Robertson’s Tavern
• Mine Run Campaign
• Wilderness
• Spotsylvania
• Cold Harbor

Casualties

The 71st Pennsylvania Infantry suffered heavy losses throughout its service. At Ball’s Bluff, it lost 312 men out of 520 engaged. At Chickahominy, 96 were lost; at Savage Station, 68; and at Antietam, over one-third of those engaged. At Fredericksburg, nearly a third of its effective strength was lost. At Gettysburg, the regiment lost over half its effective strength, including 9 of 15 officers engaged. Of the total enrollment of 2,200 men, only 153 returned to be mustered out. Detailed breakdowns of killed, wounded, and died of disease are not fully available in surviving sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Edward D. Baker
• Colonel Isaac J. Wistar
• Colonel Richard Penn Smith
• Lieutenant Colonel William H. Penrose
• Lieutenant Colonel John Markoe
• Lieutenant Colonel William G. Jones
• Lieutenant Colonel C. Kochersperger
• Major R. A. Parrish
• Major Charles W. Smith
• Major George L. Ritman
• Major Richard P. Smith
• Major Enoch E. Lewis

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 71st Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and additional service details valuable for genealogical and historical research.

To view the complete roster, visit the 71st Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (see Army of the Potomac reports, 1861–1864)
• Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report
• Dyer, Frederick H. 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