26th Pennsylvania Regiment Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 26th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was mustered into Federal service for three years on May 25, 1861, with its muster dating back to May 5, 1861, by direct order of the War Department. The unit was composed primarily of men from Philadelphia, with Company K recruited from Chester. The 26th Pennsylvania served in the Eastern Theater and participated in several major campaigns and battles of the Army of the Potomac.

Organization & Service

The 26th Pennsylvania Infantry initially offered its services to the national government in April 1861 and departed Philadelphia on April 18, 1861, intending to reach Washington, D.C., via Baltimore. Upon arrival in Baltimore on April 19, the regiment, then unarmed, was attacked by a mob and forced to return to Philadelphia, suffering one fatality. The regiment then offered its services to Governor Curtin of Pennsylvania and was accepted, but not mustered in at that time. On May 25, 1861, the regiment was officially mustered into Federal service for three years, with the muster date retroactively set to May 5, 1861. During this period, the regiment’s personnel changed somewhat, but most members remained from Philadelphia, except Company K from Chester.

After mustering, the 26th Pennsylvania was stationed in Washington, D.C., until August 1861, then moved to Bladensburg, Maryland. On October 20, 1861, as part of Hooker’s Brigade, the regiment marched to Budd’s Ferry, Maryland, where it remained until April 1, 1862. The regiment participated in the Peninsula Campaign, including the siege of Yorktown and the battles of Williamsburg, Savage Station, and Malvern Hill. It fought at the Second Battle of Bull Run in August 1862 before being ordered back to Washington. The regiment did not participate in the Battle of Antietam but rejoined the Army of the Potomac before the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862. In the spring of 1863, the 26th Pennsylvania took part in the Chancellorsville Campaign and subsequently marched to Gettysburg, where it was heavily engaged. Afterward, the regiment participated in the Mine Run Campaign and spent the winter at Brandy Station. In May 1864, it was active in the Wilderness Campaign. The regiment was mustered out of service at Philadelphia on June 18, 1864.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Baltimore Riot (April 1861)
• Defense of Washington, D.C. (1861)
• Peninsula Campaign (Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Williamsburg, April–May 1862)
• Battle of Savage Station (June 1862)
• Battle of Malvern Hill (July 1862)
• Second Battle of Bull Run (August 1862)
• Fredericksburg Campaign (December 1862)
• Chancellorsville Campaign (May 1863)
• Battle of Gettysburg (July 1863)
• Mine Run Campaign (November–December 1863)
• Wilderness Campaign (May 1864)

Casualties

According to Fox’s Regimental Losses and state reports, the 26th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) suffered significant casualties during its service. Exact figures may vary by source, but available records indicate:

• Killed or mortally wounded: 7 officers, 104 enlisted men
• Died of disease: 1 officer, 56 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 168

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel William F. Small
• Colonel Benjamin C. Tilghman
• Colonel Robert L. Bodine
• Lieutenant Colonel Rush Van Dyke
• Lieutenant Colonel Robert L. Bodine
• Lieutenant Colonel John B. Adams
• Major Casper M. Berry
• Major Samuel G. Moffitt

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 26th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details for members of the regiment throughout its term of service.

To view the complete roster, visit the 26th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 2, 5, 9, 11, 19, 21, 27, 29, 36
• Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report, 1861–1865
• Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
• Fox, William F., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
• The Union Army, Vol. 1 (Federal Publishing Company, 1908)