97th Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 97th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment from Pennsylvania that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized at Camp Wayne in West Chester, Pennsylvania, the regiment was mustered into United States service for a three-year term between August 22 and October 28, 1861. The regiment drew two companies primarily from Delaware County and the remainder from Chester County, with many members having prior militia or three months’ service experience. The 97th Pennsylvania served in both the Department of the South and the Army of the James, participating in operations across South Carolina, Florida, Virginia, and North Carolina.

Organization & Service

The 97th Pennsylvania Infantry was organized at Camp Wayne, West Chester, Pennsylvania, from August 22 to October 28, 1861, and mustered in for three years’ service. The regiment departed for Washington, D.C., on November 12, 1861, and was soon ordered to Fortress Monroe, Virginia, before embarking for Port Royal, South Carolina. In January 1862, the regiment joined an expedition to Warsaw Sound near Savannah, Georgia, then moved to Fernandina and Jacksonville, Florida, returning to Hilton Head, South Carolina, in March.

On April 19, 1862, the regiment was ordered to Edisto Island and, in June, to Legareville, with two companies detached there while the remainder camped before Secessionville. The regiment was actively engaged in the Battle of Secessionville on June 16, 1862. After returning to Hilton Head in July, the regiment was posted at various points on Broad River in September, where it suffered significant losses due to fever. The unit was subsequently moved to St. Helena Island on November 20, 1862.

In April 1863, the 97th participated in the Charleston expedition, then returned to Hilton Head and was transferred from the 1st to the 3rd Brigade, later moving to Seabrook Island. The regiment took part in the siege of Fort Wagner and, in October, was ordered to garrison Fernandina, Florida. In March 1864, 337 men reenlisted and were furloughed. In April, the regiment was ordered to Fortress Monroe and assigned to the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 10th Corps, Army of the James. It saw action at Swift Creek, Drewry’s Bluff, and Ware Bottom Church.

On May 27, 1864, part of the 10th Corps, including the 97th, was sent to support General Grant at Cold Harbor, remaining there until June 12. The regiment then moved to Petersburg, Virginia, where it was engaged in repeated actions. In December 1864, the white troops of the 10th and 18th Corps were reorganized to form the 24th Corps. The 97th Pennsylvania, with the 2nd Division of the 24th Corps, joined the first expedition to Fort Fisher, North Carolina, but returned without assaulting the fort. In January 1865, the regiment participated in the successful second expedition against Fort Fisher. Wilmington was captured soon after, and on March 15, the regiment joined General Sherman at Goldsboro, North Carolina. The 97th was later posted at Raleigh and Gaston before being mustered out at Weldon, North Carolina, on August 28, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Expedition to Warsaw Sound, Georgia (January 1862)
• Operations at Fernandina and Jacksonville, Florida (early 1862)
• Battle of Secessionville, South Carolina (June 16, 1862)
• Charleston Expedition (April 1863)
• Siege of Fort Wagner, South Carolina (summer 1863)
• Garrison duty at Fernandina, Florida (October 1863 – March 1864)
• Swift Creek, Virginia (May 1864)
• Drewry’s Bluff, Virginia (May 1864)
• Ware Bottom Church, Virginia (May 1864)
• Cold Harbor, Virginia (May–June 1864)
• Siege of Petersburg, Virginia (June–December 1864)
• First and Second Expeditions to Fort Fisher, North Carolina (December 1864–January 1865)
• Capture of Wilmington, North Carolina (February 1865)
• Operations at Goldsboro, Raleigh, and Gaston, North Carolina (March–August 1865)

Casualties

The 97th Pennsylvania Infantry lost a total of 136 men killed in action or who died of wounds during its service, out of a total enrollment of 1,794. Additional losses from disease and other causes are not specified in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Henry R. Guss
• Colonel Galusha Pennypacker
• Colonel John Wainwright
• Lieutenant Colonel Augustus P. Duer
• Lieutenant Colonel G. W. Hawkins
• Lieutenant Colonel William H. Martin
• Major Galusha Pennypacker
• Major Isaiah Price
• Major William H. Martin
• Major L. R. Thomas

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 97th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and research purposes. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details for members of the regiment throughout its term of service.

To view the complete roster, visit the 97th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (see operations in South Carolina, Florida, Virginia, and North Carolina, 1861–1865)
• 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, Vol. 1