91st Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 91st Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Pennsylvania for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Recruitment began in the fall of 1861, with the regiment mustering in at Camp Chase, near Philadelphia, on December 4, 1861. The regiment served primarily in the Eastern Theater and was attached to various brigades and divisions within the Army of the Potomac, most notably the 5th Corps. The 91st Pennsylvania participated in many major campaigns and battles, including Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Petersburg, and the Appomattox Campaign.

Organization & Service

The 91st Pennsylvania Infantry was organized at Camp Chase, Philadelphia, and mustered into United States service on December 4, 1861, for a term of three years. The regiment left for Washington, D.C., on January 21, 1862, where it performed guard and patrol duties until late April. It then moved to Alexandria, Virginia, serving as provost guard until August 21, 1862.

Assigned to the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 5th Corps, the regiment entered the Maryland Campaign in September 1862, arriving at Antietam on September 18. In October, it participated in a reconnaissance to Shepherdstown and subsequently moved with the army to Warrenton and Falmouth, Virginia. The 91st Pennsylvania saw its first major combat at the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862, suffering significant casualties. The regiment remained active through the winter, performing picket and fatigue duties, and participated in the “Mud March” in January 1863.

During the Chancellorsville Campaign in May 1863, the regiment was engaged and sustained further losses, including wounded officers. At this time, it was part of the 1st Brigade (Tyler’s), 3rd Division (Humphreys’), 5th Corps. The 91st Pennsylvania then performed railroad guard duty before marching to Gettysburg, where it arrived on July 2, 1863, and fought on Little Round Top, incurring additional casualties.

Following Gettysburg, the regiment took part in the pursuit of Confederate forces and the Mine Run Campaign. In December 1863, most members reenlisted; non-veterans were transferred to the 155th Pennsylvania, and veterans went home on furlough. The regiment returned to the front in March 1864 and participated in the Overland Campaign, including the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomy, and Bethesda Church. It crossed the James River in June and was engaged at Petersburg, suffering heavy losses in the initial assaults.

In July 1864, the regiment absorbed veterans and recruits from the 62nd Pennsylvania. The 91st Pennsylvania continued to serve in the Petersburg operations, including actions at the Jerusalem Plank Road, Weldon Railroad, Peeble’s Farm, and Hatcher’s Run. In early 1865, it participated in the final campaigns leading to the surrender at Appomattox Court House. The regiment was present at the Grand Review in Washington and was mustered out on July 10, 1865, in Philadelphia.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Guard and provost duty at Washington and Alexandria (1862)
• Maryland Campaign (September 1862)
• Battle of Fredericksburg (December 1862)
• Chancellorsville Campaign (May 1863)
• Battle of Gettysburg (July 1863)
• Mine Run Campaign (November–December 1863)
• Overland Campaign: Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomy, Bethesda Church (May–June 1864)
• Siege of Petersburg (June 1864–April 1865)
• Jerusalem Plank Road (June 1864)
• Weldon Railroad (August 1864, January 1865)
• Peeble’s Farm (September–October 1864)
• Hatcher’s Run (October 1864, February 1865)
• Appomattox Campaign: Dabney’s Mill, Gravelly Run, Five Forks, Sailor’s Creek, Appomattox Court House (March–April 1865)

Casualties

At Fredericksburg, the regiment lost 2 officers and 87 men. At Gettysburg, losses were 2 officers and 19 men. During the initial assaults on Petersburg, 82 men were killed or wounded. Additional losses occurred at Peeble’s Farm, Hatcher’s Run, and during the final campaigns. Total casualty figures for the regiment are not fully detailed in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Edgar M. Gregory
• Lieutenant Colonel Edward C. Wallace
• Lieutenant Colonel Joseph H. Sinex
• Lieutenant Colonel John D. Lentz
• Lieutenant Colonel Eli G. Sellers
• Major George W. Todd
• Major John D. Lentz
• Major Eli G. Sellers
• Major John F. Casner

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 91st 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 91st Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XIX, XXV, XXVII, XXXVI, XL, XLVI
• 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