Overview
The 158th Pennsylvania Infantry (Nine Months’ Service) was a Union infantry regiment organized at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Composed primarily of men from Cumberland, Franklin, and Fulton counties, the regiment was mustered into United States service between November 1 and 4, 1862, for a term of nine months. The unit served in the Department of Virginia and North Carolina, participating in operations in both states during its brief period of service.
This regiment was part of the Pennsylvania militia call-up in late 1862 and was primarily engaged in garrison and expeditionary duties, including actions related to the relief of Washington, North Carolina.
Organization & Service
The 158th Pennsylvania Infantry (Nine Months’ Service) was organized at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and mustered into Federal service from November 1 to November 4, 1862. Shortly after organization, the regiment left Pennsylvania in late November and moved to Suffolk, Virginia, where it was assigned to Spinola’s Brigade, Ferry’s Division.
At the end of 1862, the regiment was transferred to New Berne, North Carolina, where it established winter quarters. In early April 1863, the regiment participated in operations along the Pamlico River, aiming to relieve the Union garrison at Washington, North Carolina, then besieged by Confederate forces under General D. H. Hill. The regiment was unable to break the blockade and returned to New Berne. On April 8, the regiment joined a land expedition to relieve Washington, advancing as far as Blount’s Creek, where it was involved in an artillery engagement. After returning to New Berne, the regiment participated in another relief expedition, engaging in skirmishing at Big Swift Creek on April 14 before returning to New Berne on April 20. Following the lifting of the siege, the 158th was ordered to garrison Washington and its fortifications.
At the end of June 1863, the regiment reported to General Dix at Fortress Monroe and took part in the expedition toward Richmond, Virginia. On July 11, the regiment reported to General Meade, then pursuing Lee’s army following the Battle of Gettysburg. The regiment subsequently moved to Frederick, Maryland, and on August 8, 1863, was ordered to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where it was mustered out of service on August 12, 1863.
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
- Operations on the Pamlico River, North Carolina (April 1863)
- Relief expeditions to Washington, North Carolina (April 1863)
- Engagement at Blount’s Creek, North Carolina (April 8, 1863)
- Skirmish at Big Swift Creek, North Carolina (April 14, 1863)
- Expedition to the vicinity of Richmond, Virginia (June–July 1863)
Casualties
Specific casualty figures for the 158th Pennsylvania Infantry (Nine Months’ Service) are not detailed in Dyer’s Compendium or the Official Records. Available sources indicate the regiment suffered light losses, with no major battle casualties reported during its service term.
Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel David B. McKibbin
- Lieutenant Colonel Elias S. Troxell
- Major Martin G. Hale
Regimental Roster
The full roster of officers and enlisted men who served in the 158th Pennsylvania Infantry (Nine Months’ Service) is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and additional service details for those who served in the unit.
To view the complete roster, visit the 158th Pennsylvania Infantry (Nine Months’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. 18, 27, 29
- Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report, 1862–1863
- Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
- Federal Publishing Company, The Union Army, Vol. 1 (1908)