183rd Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 183rd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment raised from across Pennsylvania and mustered into United States service at Philadelphia between late 1863 and the first three months of 1864. Serving in the Union Army, the regiment was known as the Fourth Union League Regiment. It was primarily attached to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac, and participated in major campaigns in the Eastern Theater during the final years of the Civil War.

The regiment was notable for its large number of very young recruits and for absorbing the veterans and recruits of the 72nd Pennsylvania Infantry in July 1864. The 183rd Pennsylvania Infantry was mustered out near Washington, D.C., on July 13, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 183rd Pennsylvania Infantry was organized at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with companies mustered in from late 1863 through the first quarter of 1864, for a three-year term. Colonel George P. McLean, previously of the 22nd and 88th Pennsylvania, was the original commanding officer. The regiment joined the Army of the Potomac at the Rapidan River and was assigned to the 1st Brigade (Col. Miles), 1st Division (Brig. Gen. Barlow), 2nd Corps (Maj. Gen. Hancock).

The regiment saw its first significant action at the Wilderness in May 1864, suffering light losses. At Spotsylvania Court House, especially during Hancock’s assault on May 12, the regiment sustained heavy casualties. Following this, several field officers, including Col. McLean, resigned. Capt. John F. McCullough was commissioned colonel on May 28, 1864. The regiment fought at North Anna River and Totopotomy, where Col. McCullough was killed on May 31. Capt. James C. Lynch was commissioned colonel on June 15, 1864. The 183rd participated in the initial assaults on Petersburg and endured further losses during the subsequent operations.

On July 19, 1864, the regiment absorbed the veterans and recruits of the 72nd Pennsylvania Infantry, bringing it to full strength. After a period of reorganization and drill, the 183rd was engaged at Deep Bottom in late July, and again at Strawberry Plains and Deep Bottom in August. It returned to Petersburg, fought at Reams’ Station, and was then detailed to guard the railroad at Cedar Road Station. In September, the regiment returned to the Petersburg trenches and remained largely inactive except for a reconnaissance to Hatcher’s Run in December.

In February 1865, the regiment participated in the action at Dabney’s Mill and was engaged before Petersburg on March 25. It was transferred to the 4th Brigade, skirmished on March 29, was under fire on the Boydton Plank Road on March 30, supported the 5th Corps at Five Forks on April 1, and was actively engaged on April 2 during the final assaults on Petersburg. After the Confederate surrender, the regiment marched to Alexandria, participated in the Grand Review in Washington on May 23, and was mustered out near Washington, D.C., on July 13, 1865.

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

  • Wilderness (May 1864)
  • Spotsylvania Court House (May 1864)
  • North Anna River (May 1864)
  • Totopotomy Creek (May 1864)
  • Cold Harbor (June 1864)
  • First assaults on Petersburg (June 1864)
  • Deep Bottom (July and August 1864)
  • Strawberry Plains (August 1864)
  • Reams’ Station (August 1864)
  • Cedar Road Station (guard duty, late 1864)
  • Hatcher’s Run (December 1864, reconnaissance)
  • Dabney’s Mill (February 1865)
  • Petersburg (March–April 1865)
  • Boydton Plank Road (March 1865)
  • Five Forks (support, April 1865)
  • Grand Review, Washington, D.C. (May 1865)

Casualties

At Spotsylvania Court House on May 12, 1864, the regiment lost 18 killed, 109 wounded, and 34 missing. At North Anna River and Totopotomy, losses were 11 killed, 23 wounded, and 2 missing. At Cold Harbor, the regiment lost 5 killed, 76 wounded, and 14 missing. On March 25, 1865, before Petersburg, it lost 1 killed and 13 wounded. Total casualty figures for the entire service term are not fully detailed in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel George P. McLean
  • Colonel John F. McCullough (killed at Totopotomy Creek, May 31, 1864)
  • Colonel James C. Lynch
  • Lieutenant Colonel William Powell
  • Lieutenant Colonel James C. Lynch
  • Lieutenant Colonel George T. Egbert
  • Lieutenant Colonel Augustin T. Lynch
  • Major John Reynolds
  • Major George T. Egbert
  • Major Augustin T. Lynch
  • Major Horace P. Egbert

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 183rd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the regiment.

To view the complete roster, visit the 183rd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

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