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49th
Pennsylvania Infantry
Online Books
49th
Pennsylvania Infantry Soldier Roster - History of Pennsylvania
Volunteers, 1861-5, Volume 1 by Samuel P Bates, 1869
View Entire Book
Regimental History |
Forty-ninth Infantry. — Cols., William H. Irwin, Thomas
M. Hulings, B. J. Hickman, A. W. Wakefield; Lieut.-Cols., William
Brisbane, Thomas M. Hulings, John B. Miles, B. J. Hickman, A. W.
Wakefield, James T. Stuart; Majs., Thomas M. Hulings, John B. Miles, B.
J. Hickman, A. W. Wakefield, James T. Stuart, F. W. Wombacker. The 49th
was recruited in the counties of Center, Chester, Huntingdon, Mifflin
and Juniata, and was mustered into the U. S. service at Camp Curtin,
Harrisburg, Sept. 14, 1861, for a three years' term. It was ordered to
Washington on Sept. 22, assigned to the 1st brigade of Gen. W. F.
Smith's division, 4th corps, and camped during the winter near
Lewinsville. It joined in the campaign on the Peninsula early in 1862,
performing various siege duties at Yorktown, and fighting at
Williamsburg, Garnett's and Golding's farms, White Oak swamp and Malvern
hill. On Aug. 16, the regiment was sent to Alexandria, where it was
attached to Franklin's corps, which joined the Army of the Potomac at
Centerville and proceeded to Antietam, engaging the enemy on the way at
Crampton's gap. During this battle the 49th was held in reserve, as it
was also at Fredericksburg in December. Winter quarters were established
at White Oak Church and on Jan. 9, 1864, the regiment was consolidated
into a battalion of four companies, which participated in the "Mud
March." Col. Irwin added enough new recruits to the regiment in April to
restore it to its old organization and it was assigned to the 3d
brigade, 1st division, 6th corps, with which it remained until the end
of its service. It was active at Salem Church, present at Deep run,
active at Gettysburg, and then joined in the southward movement of the
army. It was engaged at Rappahannock Station, and was mentioned in
orders for gallantry. It joined in the Mine Run movement, after which it
went into winter quarters at Hazel Run, where 260 of its members
reenlistcd and with the addition of recruits and drafted men the
regiment was continued as a veteran organization. On May 4, 1864, it
broke camp and the next day the command was in the heat of the action at
the Wilderness. At Laurel hill the regiment made a most daring assault,
but at fearful cost. Col. Hulings, Lieut-Col. Miles, 2 other officers
and 61 men being killed and 5 officers and 195 men wounded or missing.
The next engagement was the assault on the angle at Spottsylvania. The
loss up to the 14th of the month when only 130 men were able to report
for duty, was 392 killed, wounded or missing. At Cold Harbor the loss
was 8 killed and 20 wounded. The regiment proceeded with the army to
Petersburg and on July 11, was ordered to Washington, which was
threatened by Gen. Early. It followed Early to the Shenandoah river and
then returned to Washington, but had scarcely arrived when news of
Early's advance upon Crook caused it to return to Harper's Ferry. It was
active at the battle of Winchester; was posted on guard in the city for
a time; then ordered again to Petersburg; shared in the action at
Hatcher's run, and made its winter quarters at Fort Wadsworth. It took
part in the final assault on Petersburg; was in the cavalry fight at
Sailor's creek; was then detailed to guard prisoners to Appomattox; next
ordered to Danville, where it remained for a month, and then returned to
Washington, where it arrived June 2 and remained until mustered out at
Hall's hill, July 15, 1865. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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