153rd Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 153rd Pennsylvania Infantry (Nine Months’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Pennsylvania for Union service during the American Civil War. Raised primarily in Northampton County under the call of August 4, 1862, for 300,000 militia for nine months’ service, the regiment mustered in at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, in October 1862. The 153rd Pennsylvania served in the Eastern Theater, attached to the 11th Corps, Army of the Potomac, and participated in several significant campaigns, including Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.

Organization & Service

Thirteen companies were initially raised in Northampton County and rendezvoused at Easton, Pennsylvania. These were consolidated into ten companies, which proceeded to Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, and were mustered into United States service from October 7 to October 11, 1862. The regiment departed for Washington, D.C., on October 12, 1862, and was soon ordered to Gainesville, Virginia, where it was assigned to the 1st Brigade (Col. Von Gilsa), 1st Division (Gen. Stahel), 11th Corps (Gen. Sigel).

The 153rd Pennsylvania joined the Army of the Potomac on December 16, 1862, shortly after the Battle of Fredericksburg. In January 1863, it participated in Burnside’s “Mud March” and subsequently went into winter quarters at Potomac Creek Bridge. The regiment saw its first major combat at the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863, where it was posted on the extreme right of the Union line and was among the first to encounter Stonewall Jackson’s attack. The regiment suffered significant losses, including the capture of Col. Glanz and the wounding of Lt. Col. Dachrodt. After Chancellorsville, Col. Glanz rejoined the regiment on June 16, but was unable to resume command due to the effects of his imprisonment.

At the Battle of Gettysburg, the 153rd Pennsylvania was heavily engaged during the first two days and endured intense artillery fire on the third day. Following the battle, the regiment participated in the pursuit of Confederate forces as far as Funkstown, Maryland. With its nine months’ term of service expired, the regiment was ordered home and mustered out at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on July 23–24, 1863.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Burnside’s “Mud March” (January 1863)
• Chancellorsville Campaign (April–May 1863)
• Battle of Chancellorsville (May 1–3, 1863)
• Gettysburg Campaign (June–July 1863)
• Battle of Gettysburg (July 1–3, 1863)
• Pursuit to Funkstown, Maryland (July 1863)

Casualties

At Chancellorsville, the regiment lost 6 men killed, 3 officers and 37 men wounded, and 3 officers and 36 men captured or missing, totaling 85 casualties. At Gettysburg, losses were 1 officer and 22 men killed, 7 officers and 135 men wounded, and 46 men captured or missing, totaling 211 casualties. Total losses for the regiment during its service term are not fully detailed in all sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Charles Glanz
• Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Dachrodt
• Major John F. Frueauff

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 153rd Pennsylvania Infantry (Nine Months’ 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 complete roster, visit the 153rd Pennsylvania Infantry (Nine Months’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. 25, 27
• 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