203rd Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 203rd Pennsylvania Infantry (One Year Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Pennsylvania during the American Civil War. Drawn from Lycoming, Lancaster, Chester, Delaware counties, and the city of Philadelphia, the regiment was mustered into United States service at Camp Cadwalader, Philadelphia, between late August and mid-September 1864. Serving in the Union Army, the 203rd Pennsylvania operated primarily in the Eastern Theater and was notable for its participation in the assault on Fort Fisher, North Carolina.

This regiment was initially recruited at the suggestion of General Birney to serve as sharpshooters, but ultimately functioned as a standard infantry unit. The field and staff officers were all veterans of prior service.

Organization & Service

The 203rd Pennsylvania Infantry was organized at Camp Cadwalader, Philadelphia, and mustered into service for one year during the latter half of August and the first half of September 1864. The regiment left Pennsylvania for the front on September 22, 1864, arriving before Petersburg, Virginia, on September 27. It was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 10th Corps, Army of the James.

During the engagement at New Market Heights in late September 1864, the regiment performed provost duty at Deep Bottom, escorted prisoners to the rear, and picketed at Malvern Hill. Subsequently, the regiment moved to the front and participated in the engagement on the Darbytown Road in November, suffering some losses in further actions later that month.

With the reorganization of the Army of the James, the 203rd was assigned to the 2nd Brigade (Col. Pennypacker), 2nd Division (Gen. Ames), 24th Corps. In early December, the regiment proceeded to Fortress Monroe as part of the force designated for the attack on Fort Fisher, North Carolina. While not engaged in the first assault, the regiment took part in the final capture of Fort Fisher in January 1865, where it played a prominent role in the seven-hour assault, sustaining significant casualties, including the loss of its commanding officer, Col. John W. Moore.

Following the capture of Fort Fisher, the regiment was not engaged again until the action at Sugar Loaf Battery, Federal Point, North Carolina, on February 11, 1865. The 203rd then advanced with the 24th Corps toward Wilmington, participating in operations during the evacuation of the city by Confederate forces. In March, the regiment moved to Goldsboro, North Carolina, joining General Sherman’s army during the Battle of Bentonville. The unit subsequently guarded the railway at Faison’s Station, advanced toward Raleigh in April, and, after the surrender of General Johnston, was assigned to duty in Raleigh. The regiment was mustered out of service at Raleigh on June 22, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Provost duty at Deep Bottom, Virginia (September 1864)
• New Market Heights, Virginia (September 1864)
• Darbytown Road, Virginia (November 1864)
• Fort Fisher, North Carolina (January 1865)
• Sugar Loaf Battery, Federal Point, North Carolina (February 11, 1865)
• Advance on Wilmington, North Carolina (February 1865)
• Goldsboro, North Carolina (March 1865)
• Advance toward Raleigh, North Carolina (April 1865)

Casualties

During the assault on Fort Fisher in January 1865, the 203rd Pennsylvania Infantry lost 46 killed and 145 wounded. Additional losses occurred in other engagements, but detailed total casualty figures for the regiment are not fully reported in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John W. Moore (killed at Fort Fisher, January 1865)
• Colonel Oliver P. Harding
• Colonel Amos W. Bachman
• Lieutenant Colonel Jonas W. Lyman (killed at Fort Fisher, January 1865)
• Lieutenant Colonel A. W. Bachman
• Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Brooke
• Major Oliver P. Harding
• Major Michael J. Cooke

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 203rd Pennsylvania Infantry (One Year Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and other service details as recorded in official state and federal records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 203rd Pennsylvania Infantry Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. XLII, XLVI
• 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