50th Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 50th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Pennsylvania for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was mustered into United States service at Harrisburg on October 1, 1861, for a three-year term. Its ranks were filled by volunteers from Berks, Schuylkill, Bradford, Susquehanna, Lancaster, and Luzerne counties. The 50th Pennsylvania served in both the Eastern and Western Theaters, participating in major campaigns and enduring significant hardships, including disease and heavy combat losses.

Organization & Service

The 50th Pennsylvania Infantry was organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, and mustered in on October 1, 1861. The regiment departed for Washington, D.C., the following day, then moved to Annapolis, Maryland, where it joined the expedition to South Carolina as part of Stevens’ Brigade. The regiment camped near Hilton Head until December 6, 1861, then occupied Beaufort, South Carolina, engaging in a minor skirmish on December 7. On January 1, 1862, the brigade crossed the Coosaw River and captured a Confederate fort.

In May 1862, the regiment participated in an unsuccessful attempt to destroy the railroad bridge at Old Pocotaligo. On July 12, 1862, the 50th Pennsylvania embarked for Fortress Monroe, Virginia, and was attached to the 9th Army Corps. It was ordered to join General Pope’s forces on the Rapidan River, engaging in several skirmishes at the fords of the Rapidan and Rappahannock. The regiment fought at the Second Battle of Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, and Antietam, suffering heavy casualties. Although present at Fredericksburg, the regiment was not engaged in the battle.

Following Fredericksburg, the 50th Pennsylvania was ordered west to join the Army of the Ohio. It advanced to Vicksburg, Mississippi, where it was posted at Haines Bluff during the siege, and subsequently participated in the advance to Jackson, Mississippi, where Lieutenant Colonel Brenholtz was killed. The regiment suffered from malaria during the southern campaign and returned to Kentucky on August 10, 1863. It was active at Blue Springs, Tennessee, in October, and at Lenoir Station, Campbell’s Station, and the defense of Fort Sanders near Knoxville in November. The regiment participated in the pursuit of Longstreet as far as Blaine’s Crossroads before being ordered to Nicholasville, Kentucky.

After wintering in Kentucky, nearly the entire regiment reenlisted as veterans and, following furlough, reported to Annapolis, Maryland, on March 20, 1864. The 50th Pennsylvania was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 9th Army Corps, and joined the Army of the Potomac at the Rapidan River on May 5, 1864. The regiment fought in the Overland Campaign, including the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna River, and Cold Harbor. At Petersburg, it supported the assault following the mine explosion, participated in the engagement at the Weldon Railroad, and took part in the final assault on Petersburg on April 2, 1865.

In mid-April 1865, the regiment moved to Washington, D.C., remaining there until June 30. It was then ordered to Gettysburg to represent Union infantry at the cornerstone ceremonies for the National Monument on July 4. The 50th Pennsylvania returned to Georgetown and was mustered out of service on July 31, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Expedition to South Carolina (1861)
• Occupation of Beaufort, SC (December 1861)
• Operations on the Coosaw River (January 1862)
• Attempted destruction of railroad bridge at Old Pocotaligo (May 1862)
• Second Bull Run (August 1862)
• Chantilly (September 1862)
• South Mountain (September 1862)
• Antietam (September 1862)
• Fredericksburg (December 1862, present but not engaged)
• Vicksburg Campaign (1863)
• Jackson, MS (July 1863)
• Blue Springs, TN (October 1863)
• Lenoir Station and Campbell’s Station, TN (November 1863)
• Defense of Fort Sanders, Knoxville (November 1863)
• Pursuit of Longstreet (December 1863)
• Overland Campaign: Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor (May–June 1864)
• Petersburg Campaign: Mine Explosion, Weldon Railroad, Final Assault (1864–1865)
• Washington, D.C. (April–June 1865)
• Gettysburg National Monument Ceremony (July 1865)

Casualties

According to Fox’s Regimental Losses and official reports, the 50th Pennsylvania Infantry suffered significant casualties during its service. The regiment lost officers and men killed or mortally wounded in action, as well as by disease. Specific figures from Fox and Dyer are as follows:

• Killed or mortally wounded: 9 officers, 193 enlisted men
• Died of disease: 2 officers, 186 enlisted men
• Total deaths: 390

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Benjamin C. Christ
• Colonel William H. Telford
• Lieutenant Colonel Thomas S. Brenholtz (killed at Jackson, MS)
• Lieutenant Colonel Edward Overton, Jr.
• Lieutenant Colonel Samuel K. Schwenk
• Major Edward Overton, Jr.
• Major Samuel K. Schwenk
• Major George W. Brumm

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of the 50th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details where available.

To view the full roster, visit the 50th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts
• Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report
• Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
• Fox, William F., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
• The Union Army, Federal Publishing Company, 1908, Vol. 1