79th Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 79th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in the state of Pennsylvania for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was primarily recruited from Lancaster County, with Company D drawn from Washington County. It was mustered into United States service at Camp Wilkins, Pittsburgh, in September and early October 1861, for a three-year term. The 79th Pennsylvania served in the Western Theater and participated in several major campaigns and battles, including Perryville, Stones River, Chickamauga, the Atlanta Campaign, the March to the Sea, and the Carolinas Campaign.

Organization & Service

The 79th Pennsylvania Infantry was organized at Camp Wilkins, Pittsburgh, in late summer and early fall of 1861. The regiment was mustered into service in September and early October 1861. On October 17, 1861, the regiment received its colors from Governor Andrew G. Curtin at Allegheny City and departed the next day for Louisville, Kentucky. Upon arrival, the regiment moved to Camp Nevin and then to Camp Negley, where it was assigned to Negley’s Brigade, McCook’s Division, Army of the Ohio, under General Don Carlos Buell.

In early 1862, the regiment advanced to Nashville, Tennessee, and then to Columbia. A detachment from Company A was captured by Confederate cavalry but was soon paroled. In May 1862, the regiment participated in an expedition to Rogersville, Tennessee, and Florence, Alabama, and later took part in actions at Jasper, Sweden’s Cove, and Chattanooga. After returning to Shelbyville, the regiment was reassigned to a brigade under General William S. Smith, then moved to Manchester and Nashville, where it performed various duties. In September 1862, the 79th was assigned to the 3rd Brigade (General Starkweather), 1st Division (General Rousseau), 14th Corps (General McCook), and participated in the Kentucky Campaign, including the Battle of Perryville.

Following Perryville, the regiment guarded the Louisville & Nashville Railroad at Mitchellville, Tennessee, before rejoining the main army at Nashville for the Stones River Campaign. It was engaged at Murfreesboro and remained in the area until June 1863. The regiment then joined the Army of the Cumberland for the Tullahoma and Chickamauga Campaigns, suffering significant losses at Chickamauga. During the Chattanooga Campaign, the 79th was assigned to garrison duty and did not participate directly in the battles of Orchard Knob, Lookout Mountain, or Missionary Ridge.

On February 9, 1864, 265 men reenlisted as veterans and were mustered in on February 12. After participating in actions at Buzzard Roost and Tunnel Hill, the veterans received furlough and rejoined the regiment in May 1864. The 79th Pennsylvania was then engaged in the Atlanta Campaign, suffering further losses, and subsequently marched with General Sherman to the sea. The regiment participated in the Carolinas Campaign, including the Battle of Bentonville, and received 200 recruits at Goldsboro, North Carolina. The regiment marched to Raleigh and then to Martha’s Vineyard, encamping after Johnston’s surrender. The 79th Pennsylvania Infantry was mustered out near Alexandria, Virginia, on July 12, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Expedition to Rogersville, Tennessee, and Florence, Alabama (May 1862)
• Actions at Jasper, Sweden’s Cove, and Chattanooga (June 1862)
• Kentucky Campaign (September–October 1862)
• Battle of Perryville (October 8, 1862)
• Stones River Campaign, including Battle of Murfreesboro (December 1862–January 1863)
• Tullahoma Campaign (June–July 1863)
• Battle of Chickamauga (September 19–20, 1863)
• Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864)
• March to the Sea (November–December 1864)
• Carolinas Campaign, including Battle of Bentonville (March 1865)

Casualties

• Perryville: 37 killed, 149 wounded, 3 missing
• Murfreesboro: 2 killed, 10 wounded
• Chickamauga: 16 killed, 66 wounded, 47 missing
• Atlanta Campaign: 6 killed, 86 wounded (12 mortally), 2 captured
• Bentonville: 13 killed, 46 wounded

Comprehensive total losses for the regiment are not fully detailed in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Henry A. Hambright
• Lieutenant Colonel John H. Duchman
• Lieutenant Colonel William S. Mellinger
• Major William S. Mellinger
• Major Michael H. Locher
• Major John S. McBride

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 79th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details where available.

To view the complete roster, visit the 79th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 10, 16, 23, 30, 38, 47
• 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, Volume 1