Overview
The 179th Pennsylvania Infantry (Nine Months’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Pennsylvania during the American Civil War. Mustered into United States service in early December 1862 at Philadelphia, the regiment was composed primarily of men from Berks, Lancaster, Montgomery, Pike, Wayne counties, and the city of Philadelphia. The regiment served in the Union Army and was active primarily in the Eastern Theater.
This unit was mustered for a nine months’ term of service. It is distinct from any other Pennsylvania regiments with similar designations or different service terms.
Organization & Service
The 179th Pennsylvania Infantry (Nine Months’ Service) was recruited in the autumn of 1862 and mustered in at Philadelphia. The regiment was led by Colonel William H. Blair, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel M. Yost, and Major William H. Yerkes. Company E was detached and assigned to Chestnut Hill hospital in Philadelphia for the duration of its service, except for a detail to guard prisoners at West Chester following the battle of Gettysburg.
The remainder of the regiment was stationed at Yorktown, Virginia, throughout the winter of 1862–1863. In July 1863, the regiment participated in the movement toward Richmond and was engaged in two skirmishes with Confederate forces. At the expiration of its nine months’ term, the regiment offered its services for the defense of Pennsylvania, but with the Confederate threat diminished after Gettysburg, the offer was not required. The regiment was mustered out at Harrisburg on July 27, 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
- Stationed at Yorktown, Virginia (Winter 1862–1863)
- Movement toward Richmond (July 1863)
- Two skirmishes with Confederate forces (July 1863)
- Detail for custody of prisoners at West Chester after the battle of Gettysburg (Company E)
Casualties
Specific casualty figures for the 179th Pennsylvania Infantry (Nine Months’ Service) are not detailed in the available primary sources. The regiment’s service was largely in garrison and skirmish duty, and no major battle losses are recorded.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel William H. Blair
- Lieutenant Colonel Daniel M. Yost
- Major William H. Yerkes
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 179th Pennsylvania Infantry (Nine Months’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the regiment.
To view the complete roster, visit the 179th Pennsylvania Infantry (Nine Months’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, relevant volumes
- Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report
- Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
- Federal Publishing Company, The Union Army, Vol. 1 (1908)