Overview
The 6th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Months’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in April 1861 for service in the Union Army during the opening months of the Civil War. Drawn primarily from Schuylkill and Carbon counties, the regiment served in the Department of Pennsylvania and participated in early operations in Maryland and Virginia. Its service was notable for rapid mobilization and active duty during the initial response to the secession crisis.
Organization & Service
The 6th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Months’ Service) was mustered into United States service at Harrisburg between April 21 and 23, 1861, under the command of Colonel James Nagle. The regiment moved to Philadelphia on April 22, where it remained until May 7, receiving support and provisions from local citizens. Subsequently, the regiment was assigned to guard duty at several locations, including Newark, Chesapeake City, North East, Charlestown, Elkton, and Perryville.
On May 28, 1861, the regiment was ordered to Chambersburg and attached to Colonel Thomas’ brigade. It then advanced to Greencastle and Williamsport, Maryland, as part of General Patterson’s Department of Pennsylvania. Although a movement against Harper’s Ferry was considered, it was abandoned due to the redeployment of troops to defend Washington, D.C. The 6th Pennsylvania went into camp near Williamsport. In early July, the regiment engaged in a skirmish at Falling Waters, after which it entered Martinsburg. The regiment was then sent in pursuit of Confederate cavalry to Bunker Hill, proceeded to Charlestown, and finally returned to Harrisburg, where it was mustered out during the last week of July 1861.
Research This Regiment Further
If you’d like to explore this unit’s history in more depth, regimental histories and Civil War reference works offer valuable detail.
Engagements & Campaigns
- Guard duty at Newark, Chesapeake City, North East, Charlestown, Elkton, and Perryville (April–May 1861)
- Advance to Chambersburg, Greencastle, and Williamsport (May 1861)
- Skirmish at Falling Waters (early July 1861)
- Operations at Martinsburg, Bunker Hill, and Charlestown (July 1861)
Casualties
Specific casualty figures for the 6th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Months’ Service) are not detailed in primary sources. The regiment’s losses during its brief term of service were minimal and not separately reported in Dyer’s Compendium or the Official Records.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel James Nagle
- Lieutenant Colonel James J. Seibert
- Major John E. Wynkoop
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 6th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Months’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and additional service details for genealogical and historical research.
To view the complete roster, visit the 6th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Months’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. 2
- Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report, 1861
- Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
- Federal Publishing Company, The Union Army, Vol. 1 (1908)