76th Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 76th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), also known as the Keystone Zouaves, was an infantry regiment organized in Pennsylvania for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was recruited from the counties of Lawrence, Mercer, Blair, York, Bedford, Westmoreland, Luzerne, and Beaver. Mustered in at Camp Cameron, Harrisburg, during September, October, and November 1861, the 76th Pennsylvania served primarily in the Department of the South and later in the Army of the James. The regiment is noted for its participation in major operations along the Atlantic coast and in Virginia, including the assaults on Fort Wagner and Fort Fisher.

Organization & Service

The 76th Pennsylvania Infantry was organized at Camp Cameron, Harrisburg, and mustered into United States service for three years during the fall of 1861. The regiment received its colors from the governor on November 18, 1861, and departed for Fortress Monroe the following day. Early in December, the regiment arrived at Hilton Head, South Carolina, where it was assigned to General Wright’s brigade and engaged in fortification duties until April 1862.

On April 8, 1862, the regiment was ordered to Tybee Island at the mouth of the Savannah River and assisted in the reduction of Fort Pulaski, returning to Hilton Head on April 19. In June, the regiment participated in the attack on Fort Johnson near Secessionville. In October, it took part in the Pocotaligo expedition, suffering significant losses. The regiment then performed picket duty on Botany Bay, St. Helena, and Folly Islands until July 1863.

In July 1863, the 76th Pennsylvania, alongside companies of the 7th Connecticut, assaulted Fort Wagner on Morris Island, incurring heavy casualties. The regiment also participated in a second assault on Fort Wagner a few days later. Following these actions, the regiment was engaged in scout, picket, and guard duties, as well as repulsing night attacks, until May 1864.

In May 1864, the regiment was ordered to Virginia with the 10th Corps and attached to the Army of the James as part of Barton’s Brigade, 2nd Division, 10th Corps. The 76th Pennsylvania saw action on the Richmond & Petersburg Railroad, at Swift Creek, Drewry’s Bluff, and Cold Harbor. It participated in the initial assaults on Petersburg and the subsequent siege, with casualties occurring almost daily. The regiment was also engaged at Deep Bottom, Bermuda Hundred, New Market Heights (Fort Harrison), and on the Darbytown Road.

In December 1864, the regiment joined the expedition against Fort Fisher, North Carolina, and participated in both the unsuccessful and successful assaults, suffering heavy losses in Pennypacker’s Brigade during the final capture of the fort in January 1865. The 76th Pennsylvania then advanced with the army against Wilmington and proceeded to Raleigh, North Carolina, where it was assigned provost duty. The original members, except veterans and recruits, were mustered out at Harrisburg on November 28, 1864. The remainder of the regiment was mustered out at Raleigh on July 18, 1865. During the return journey, several men were lost when one of the transports sank. The regiment reached Harrisburg on July 23, where final discharge and payment occurred.

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

  • Fort Pulaski (April 1862)
  • Fort Johnson/Secessionville (June 1862)
  • Pocotaligo Expedition (October 1862)
  • Assaults on Fort Wagner, Morris Island (July 1863)
  • Operations on Botany Bay, St. Helena, and Folly Islands (1862–1864)
  • Richmond & Petersburg Railroad (May 1864)
  • Swift Creek
  • Drewry’s Bluff
  • Cold Harbor (June 1864)
  • First assaults and siege of Petersburg (June 1864 onward)
  • Deep Bottom
  • Bermuda Hundred
  • New Market Heights (Fort Harrison)
  • Darbytown Road
  • First and Second Expeditions against Fort Fisher (December 1864, January 1865)
  • Advance on Wilmington and Raleigh (1865)

Casualties

According to available sources, the 76th Pennsylvania Infantry suffered significant losses during its service, particularly at Fort Wagner, Pocotaligo, and Fort Fisher. Specific casualty figures include:

  • Pocotaligo Expedition: 75 officers and men lost
  • First Assault on Fort Wagner: 187 men lost
  • Second Assault on Fort Wagner: 17 killed and wounded
  • Richmond & Petersburg Railroad: 65 men lost
  • Darbytown Road: 1 killed, 12 wounded

Comprehensive totals for killed, wounded, and died of disease are not fully detailed in the primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel John M. Power
  • Colonel D. W. C. Strawbridge
  • Colonel J. C. Campbell
  • Colonel John S. Littell
  • Lieutenant Colonel D. H. Wallace
  • Lieutenant Colonel J. C. Campbell
  • Lieutenant Colonel John W. Hicks
  • Lieutenant Colonel John S. Littell
  • Lieutenant Colonel Charles Knerr
  • Major Oliver M. Irvine
  • Major Cyrus Diller
  • Major John W. Hicks
  • Major William S. Diller
  • Major Charles Knerr
  • Major W. S. Moorhead

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 76th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides details on enlistment, service, and discharge for members of the regiment.

To view the complete roster, visit the 76th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (Department of the South, Army of the James, operations in South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia)
  • 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, Volume 1
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