149th Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 149th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Pennsylvania during the summer of 1862 for service in the Union Army. Known as one of the “Bucktail” regiments, it drew recruits from Potter, Tioga, Lycoming, Clearfield, Clarion, Lebanon, Allegheny, Luzerne, Mifflin, and Huntingdon counties. Mustered in at the general camp of rendezvous in August 1862, the regiment served in the Eastern Theater, primarily with the Army of the Potomac. The 149th Pennsylvania was noted for its distinctive bucktail insignia and its participation in several major campaigns, including Gettysburg and the Overland Campaign.

Organization & Service

The 149th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized in August 1862 under the authority of Major Roy Stone, who had previously served with the original Bucktails (42nd Pennsylvania Infantry). The regiment was formed rapidly in response to a call for a Bucktail brigade, with twenty companies raised in less than a month, resulting in the formation of both the 149th and 150th regiments. The 149th was mustered into U.S. service at the general camp of rendezvous and was soon ordered to Washington, D.C., following the Confederate invasion of Maryland.

The regiment remained on duty near Washington until mid-February 1863, when it joined the Army of the Potomac at Belle Plain, Virginia. It was assigned to Stone’s (2nd) Brigade, Doubleday’s (3rd) Division, Reynolds’ (1st) Corps. At the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863, the regiment was positioned on the right of the Union line but was only lightly engaged. The 149th played a prominent role at Gettysburg, arriving late morning on July 1, 1863, and taking position on the ridge near the Chambersburg Pike. The regiment held its ground throughout the first day, suffering heavy casualties, and was exposed to artillery fire during the subsequent days.

After Gettysburg, the regiment participated in the pursuit of Lee’s army and the fall campaigns of 1863, though it was not heavily engaged. During the winter near Culpeper, the regiment received reinforcements, including conscripts. In May 1864, the 149th entered the Overland Campaign, fighting at the Wilderness, Laurel Hill, North Anna, Totopotomoy, Cold Harbor, and the initial assaults on Petersburg, sustaining significant losses. The regiment continued to serve during the siege of Petersburg, saw action at the Weldon Railroad in August, and participated in operations at Peebles’ Farm, Hatcher’s Run, and Dabney’s Mill. In February 1865, the regiment was ordered north to guard the prison camp at Elmira, New York, where it remained until mustered out on June 24, 1865. The men were paid and discharged at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Defenses of Washington, D.C. (1862–1863)
• Chancellorsville Campaign (May 1863)
• Battle of Gettysburg (July 1–3, 1863)
• Pursuit of Lee (July 1863)
• Mine Run Campaign (Fall 1863)
• Overland Campaign (May–June 1864): Wilderness, Laurel Hill, North Anna, Totopotomoy, Cold Harbor
• Siege of Petersburg (June–August 1864)
• Weldon Railroad (August 1864)
• Peebles’ Farm (September–October 1864)
• Hatcher’s Run (October 1864)
• Weldon Railroad Raid (December 1864)
• Dabney’s Mill (February 1865)
• Guard duty at Elmira, New York (February–June 1865)

Casualties

• At Gettysburg: 53 killed, 172 wounded, 111 captured or missing (total 336)
• Overland Campaign (May–July 1864): 34 killed, 249 wounded, 121 missing (total 404)
• Total losses for the regiment are not fully detailed in all sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Roy Stone
• Colonel John Irvin
• Lieutenant Colonel Walton Dwight
• Lieutenant Colonel John Irvin
• Lieutenant Colonel James Glenn
• Major George W. Speer
• Major John Irvin
• Major James Glenn
• Major Edwin S. Osborne

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 149th 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 research.

To view the full roster, visit the 149th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. 27, 36, 39, 40, 46
• 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, Vol. 1