88th Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 88th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Pennsylvania for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was mustered into United States service at Philadelphia in September 1861 for a three-year term. Composed of three companies from Berks County and the remainder from Philadelphia, the unit was also known as the Cameron Light Guards. The regiment served primarily in the Eastern Theater and participated in many of the major campaigns of the Army of the Potomac.

The 88th Pennsylvania Infantry was noted for its distinguished service at Gettysburg, where it captured the colors of two Confederate regiments. The regiment remained active until the end of the war, mustering out in Washington, D.C., on June 30, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 88th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Philadelphia in September 1861. After mustering in, the regiment was ordered to Washington, D.C., on October 1, 1861, and assigned to guard duty at Alexandria, Virginia, where it received arms and equipment. On February 18, 1862, five companies were detailed for garrison duty in forts along the Potomac River. The regiment was reunited on April 17, 1862, and moved to Cloud’s Mills, Virginia, to guard the Orange & Alexandria Railroad from Bull Run to Fairfax Court House.

On May 7, 1862, the regiment was ordered to report to General McDowell and was assigned to General Ricketts’ division. The 88th participated in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Thoroughfare Gap, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, Antietam, and Fredericksburg, suffering its heaviest losses at Second Bull Run. The regiment wintered at Fletcher’s Chapel and remained there, except for the “Mud March,” until April 28, 1863, when it joined the Chancellorsville Campaign. Its role at Chancellorsville was limited, but at Gettysburg, the regiment distinguished itself by capturing the colors of the 16th Alabama and 23rd North Carolina.

Following Gettysburg, the 88th Pennsylvania Infantry took part in the Mine Run Campaign and wintered at Culpeper, Virginia. A sufficient number of men reenlisted to continue the regiment as a veteran organization. On May 3, 1864, the regiment broke camp and spent several days guarding wagon trains during the opening of the Overland Campaign. The regiment was engaged at Spotsylvania, North Anna River, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, and White Oak Swamp. On June 16, 1864, it arrived at Petersburg and participated in the assault on June 18, as well as the action at the Weldon Railroad in August, and performed siege duties throughout the Petersburg Campaign.

In February 1865, the regiment joined the movement to Hatcher’s Run, engaging at Dabney’s Mills and later encamping on Hatcher’s Run. The 88th participated in the final assault on Petersburg and the subsequent pursuit of Confederate forces. The regiment returned to Washington, D.C., and was mustered out of service on June 30, 1865.

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

  • Guard duty at Alexandria and along the Potomac (1861–1862)
  • Cedar Mountain
  • Thoroughfare Gap
  • Second Bull Run
  • Chantilly
  • Antietam
  • Fredericksburg
  • Chancellorsville
  • Gettysburg
  • Mine Run Campaign
  • Overland Campaign (Spotsylvania, North Anna River, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, White Oak Swamp)
  • Petersburg (June 1864–April 1865)
  • Weldon Railroad
  • Hatcher’s Run (Dabney’s Mills)
  • Final assault on Petersburg and pursuit to Appomattox

Casualties

At Second Bull Run, the regiment suffered 15 killed, 102 wounded, and 48 missing. Complete casualty figures for the entire service period are not provided in the available primary sources. Fox’s Regimental Losses and state reports may contain additional details.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel George P. McLean
  • Colonel George W. Gile
  • Colonel Louis Wagner
  • Lieutenant Colonel Joseph A. McLean
  • Lieutenant Colonel George W. Gile
  • Lieutenant Colonel Louis Wagner
  • Lieutenant Colonel Edmund A. Moss
  • Major George W. Gile
  • Major D. A. Griffith
  • Major Benezet F. Foust
  • Major John S. Steeple
  • Major Aaron Bright, Jr.

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 88th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the unit during its term of service.

To view the complete roster, visit the 88th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (see index for 88th Pennsylvania Infantry reports and correspondence)
  • Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report, annual volumes (rosters and service summaries)
  • 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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