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71st
Pennsylvania Infantry
Online Books
71st
Pennsylvania Infantry Soldier Roster - History of Pennsylvania
Volunteers, 1861-5, Volume 2 by Samuel P Bates, 1869
View Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Seventy-first Infantry. — Cols., E. D. Baker, Isaac J.
Wistar, Richard Penn Smith ; Lieut.-Cols., William H. Penrose, John
Markoe, William G. Jones, C. Kochersperger ; Majs., R. A. Parrish,
Charles W. Smith, George L. Ritman, Richard P. Smith, Enoch E. Lewis.
The 71st, originally known as the California regiment, was recruited in
Philadelphia in April and May, 1861, by Edward D. Baker, U. S. senator
from Oregon, under special authority from President Lincoln. Eleven
hundred men were enlisted within a month's time and rendezvoused by
squads and companies at Fort Schuyler, near New York city, where they
were mustered into service for three years. Until after the battle of
Ball's bluff the regiment was treated as belonging to the regular army,
but was then claimed by Pennsylvania and applied on the state's quota,
its officers being commissioned by the governor. On July 1, 1861, it
proceeded to Fortress Monroe, via Philadelphia, and was immediately
assigned to picket and scout duty. After the battle of Bull Run it moved
to Washington and on Sept. 11 it first came under any considerable fire,
when it displayed a spirit which proved its excellent material. Early in
October it moved to Poolesville, Md., where with other regiments it
formed the Philadelphia brigade, commanded by Col. Baker, Gen. Stone's
division, Gen. Banks' army. In the engagement at Ball's bluff, Col.
Baker fell at the head of his command while cheering his men. The
regiment lost here 312 men out of 520 in action. The colors were lost in
mid-stream by the color-sergeant and never recovered. It then went into
winter quarters, its decimated ranks were recruited, and Lieut.-Col.
Wistar was promoted colonel. In the spring it engaged in McClellan's
Peninsular campaign as part of Sedgwick's division, Sumner's corps. It
was engaged with some loss at Fair Oaks ; lost 96 in the action at the
Chickahominy ; 68 in the action at Savage Station on the afternoon of
the same day; was heavily engaged at Charles City cross-roads on the
following day; and acted as artillery support at Malvern hill. At
Harrison's landing the regiment was reorganized. Five of its fifteen
companies, L, M, N, P and R were disbanded and the men transferred to
the other ten companies. It made a forced march with Sumner's corps,
reaching the battlefield of the second Bull Run toward the close of the
action, and served as rear-guard to Pope's retreat, constantly
skirmishing as far as Chain bridge. Sumner's corps was in reserve at the
battle of South mountain, but was heavily engaged at Antietam, where the
71st performed most gallantly, losing over one-third of its number
engaged. On Sept. 18, only 4 officers were able to report for duty. Col.
Wistar was severely wounded here while leading a charge and was soon
after promoted to brigadier-general, Lieut.-Col. Markoe succeeding to
the command. The 71st entered on the Fredericksburg campaign as part of
the 2nd brigade (Col. Owen), 2nd division (Gen. Howard), 2nd corps (Gen.
Couch), and was in the Right Grand Division composed of the 2nd and 9th
corps, commanded by Gen. Sumner. In the battle of Fredericksburg the
command lost nearly a third of its effective strength. It was in reserve
with the 2nd division at Chancellorsville and after the campaign
returned to its old camp at Falmouth. At Gettysburg, where the regiment
arrived on the evening of July 1, Gen. Hancock commanded the corps, Gen.
Gibbon the division, and Gen. Webb the brigade. The 71st was posted
during the battle, upon the crest of the ridge to the left and front of
Gen. Meade's headquarters and a little to the left of the angle in the
low stone wall. In this exposed position it suffered severe casualties
in the two days' fighting, losing over 40 in the second day's contest,
being subjected to a fierce artillery fire for more than 2 hours on the
third day, and receiving the full force of the enemy's gallant charge
which followed the artillery duel. Altogether it lost over half its
effective strength, including 9 out of 15 officers engaged, though it
captured 4 stands of colors. In the campaign which followed Lee's
retreat into Virginia, it was engaged at Auburn and Bristoe Station;
skirmished at Bull Run; fought at Robertson's tavern ; and on the close
of the Mine Run campaign went into winter quarters at Stevensburg. On
May 3, 1864, it moved with the corps, still commanded by Gen. Hancock,
on the spring campaign ; was heavily engaged at the Wilderness and
during the advance to Spottsylvania ; shared in the fierce assault at
the latter place ; participated in much of the subsequent fighting in
the advance on Richmond ; was in the assault of the 2nd corps at Cold
Harbor and lost heavily in that engagement. This was its last battle, as
the term of service of the regiment had now expired. The veterans and
recruits were transferred to the 69th Pa. on June 12, and the others
returned to Philadelphia, where they were mustered out on July 2, 1864.
Out of a total enrolment of 2,200 men only 153 returned to be mustered
out. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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