187th Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 187th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Pennsylvania for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was mustered into United States service at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, between February and May 1864, and served primarily in the Eastern Theater. It was notable for its participation in the Petersburg Campaign and for its role in the funeral procession of President Abraham Lincoln in Philadelphia.

Organization & Service

The 187th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) originated from the 1st Battalion of Six Months’ Infantry, which had been mustered in at Harrisburg from June 21 to July 8, 1863, and performed guard and provost duty within Pennsylvania. Upon expiration of the battalion’s term, it was reorganized and recruited to full regimental strength at Camp Curtin. The regiment was mustered into federal service from February to May 1864 for a three-year term.

On May 19, 1864, the regiment departed for Washington, D.C., and proceeded to the front, joining the Army of the Potomac on June 6. It was assigned to the 1st Brigade (Brig. Gen. Joshua L. Chamberlain), 1st Division (Brig. Gen. Charles Griffin), 5th Army Corps (Maj. Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren). The regiment supported the IX Corps during the fighting before Petersburg on June 17, and was heavily engaged with its own corps on June 18, suffering significant casualties and receiving commendation from Gen. Chamberlain for its conduct. Major George W. Merrick, commanding the regiment, was severely wounded in this action.

The 187th Pennsylvania remained in the trenches and fortifications before Petersburg until August 18, 1864, when it participated in the movement upon the Weldon Railroad and the fighting at Six-Mile House. Afterward, the regiment was engaged in fortification work until September 22, when it was ordered to Philadelphia for garrison and escort duty at Camp Cadwalader. During President Lincoln’s funeral observances in Philadelphia, the regiment led the procession from the railway station to Independence Hall and guarded the remains while they lay in state, later escorting the remains back to the railroad. For the remainder of its service, the regiment performed guard and provost duty at various locations in Pennsylvania by detachments. The 187th Pennsylvania Infantry was mustered out at Harrisburg on August 3, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Petersburg Campaign (June–August 1864)
• Action before Petersburg, June 17–18, 1864
• Siege operations before Petersburg, June–August 1864
• Weldon Railroad (Six-Mile House), August 18, 1864
• Garrison and escort duty in Philadelphia, including President Lincoln’s funeral observances, April 1865

Casualties

According to available records, the 187th Pennsylvania Infantry lost approximately one-tenth of its strength in the engagement before Petersburg on June 18, 1864. Detailed total casualty figures for the regiment’s full term are not consistently reported in primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John S. Schultze
• Colonel John E. Parsons
• Lieutenant Colonel Joseph E. Ramsey
• Lieutenant Colonel John E. Parsons
• Lieutenant Colonel Joseph A. Ege
• Major George W. Merrick
• Major David Z. Seipe

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 187th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides details on company assignments, ranks, and service records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 187th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. 40, Part I–III
• Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report, 1865
• 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