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42nd
Pennsylvania Regiment Infantry, 13th PA Reserve, 1st PA Rifles
Online Books
42nd
Pennsylvania Infantry, 13th PA Reserve, 1st PA Rifles Soldier Roster - History of Pennsylvania
Volunteers, 1861-5, Volume 1 by Samuel P Bates, 1869
View Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Forty-second Infantry. — Cols., Charles J. Biddle,
Thomas L. Kane, Hugh W. McNeil, Charles F. Taylor ; Lieut.-Cols., Thomas
L. Kane, Edward A. Irvin, Alanson E. Niles; Majs., Roy Stone, Alanson E.
Niles, William R. Hartshorn. The 42nd, also known as the 1st rifles and
the 13th reserves, was composed of woodsmen and hunters from different
parts of the state, the nucleus being a company from the "Wildcat"
district known as the "Bucktails." In honor of Col. Kane, who resigned
his office in favor of Lieut.-Col. Biddle, an experienced officer, the
regiment was named by special order of the war department, "The Kane
rifle regiment of the Pa. reserve corps." The command was known,
however, throughout its term of service as the "Bucktails," on account
of the bucktails worn by the men in their hats. In June, 1861, the
regiment was mustered into the U. S. service at Harrisburg, for a three
years' term. On June 21, it was ordered to Cumberland and took part in
the ensuing campaign, engaging the enemy at New creek. Returning to
Harrisburg on July 27, the regiment was next ordered to Harper's Ferry
and brigaded with the 28th N. Y., the 2nd and 12th Mass. and 2nd U. S.
cavalry. It remained with this command until Oct. 1, when it joined the
reserves at Tennallytown, where it was assigned to the 2nd brigade, and
with Ord's brigade shared in the success at Dranesville. In March, with
the 1st corps, the Bucktails took part in the marches and countermarches
of the reserves; in May a detachment of four companies under Lieut-Col.
Kane joined Col. Bayard's cavalry in an expedition to Hanover Court
House; it was next sent to aid Gen. Fremont's force in the Shenandoah
valley, where from May 25 to June 6, the Bucktails led the pursuit of
the enemy and were almost constantly engaged. On June 6, near
Harrisonburg, the Bucktails charged a large force of Confederates and
held their ground nobly in expectation of reinforcements, but as none
appeared the gallant command lost half its number, including the heroic
Martin Kelly, who sacrificed his life by exposing himself for a target
to draw the fire of the Confederate troops. The detachment took part in
the battle of Cross Keys and was highly praised by its leader. After the
battle of Cedar mountain the four companies fought at the second Bull
Run and joined the regiment on Sept. 7, 1862. In the meantime the
remaining six companies shared in the campaign on the Peninsula,
participating in the actions at Mechanicsville, Gaines' mill and
Glendale. The reunited regiment was active at South mountain, Antietam
and Fredericksburg, losing heavily. When the reserves were ordered to
Washington in Feb., 1863, the Bucktails with the 1st brigade, encamped
at Fairfax Court House. They remained with this brigade through the
Gettysburg campaign, fighting as usual in the advance. Their most
brilliant success at the battle was the capture of a large number of the
15th Ga., with their colors. The Bucktails joined in the pursuit which
followed, engaging in numerous skirmishes, and went into winter quarters
at Bristoe Station. In the spring campaign of 1864 they performed their
usual valiant service in the constant engagements during May, and after
the transfer of the veterans and recruits to the 190th Pa. infantry
returned to Harrisburg, where they were mustered out, June 11, 1864. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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