62nd Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Pennsylvania for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Recruitment began in July 1861, drawing men primarily from Allegheny, Clarion, Jefferson, and Blair counties. The regiment served in the Eastern Theater, participating in many of the major campaigns and battles of the Army of the Potomac.

This unit is distinct from any other Pennsylvania regiments with similar designations or service terms.

Organization & Service

The 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry was initially organized in July 1861 under the authority of the Secretary of War and was first designated the 33rd Independent Regiment due to a dispute over officer commissions. On November 19, 1861, the War Department placed all independent regiments on the same footing as other state troops, and the officers were commissioned by the governor, retroactive to July 4. The regiment completed its organization by July 24 and moved from Pittsburgh to Camp Cameron, then soon after to Washington, D.C., where it was quartered at Camp Rapp.

On September 11, 1861, the regiment crossed the Potomac and encamped near Fort Corcoran, being assigned to the 2nd Brigade of Porter’s Division. The winter of 1861–62 was spent at Camp Bettie Black on Minor’s Hill, where the regiment suffered from camp fever but improved its drill and discipline. In the spring of 1862, the regiment joined the Army of the Potomac for the Peninsula Campaign, seeing its first action at Yorktown and its first major engagement at Hanover Court House in May, where it captured 81 prisoners. The regiment fought at Mechanicsville, Gaines’ Mill (where Colonel Samuel W. Black was killed and Lieutenant Colonel Sweitzer was captured), and Malvern Hill, suffering significant losses.

After the Peninsula Campaign, the 62nd remained at Harrison’s Landing until mid-August 1862, then moved with Porter’s Corps to Fredericksburg and the Rappahannock. The regiment was in reserve at Second Bull Run and returned to Minor’s Hill. At Antietam, it supported artillery batteries, and at Fredericksburg, as part of the Center Grand Division under General Hooker, it suffered severe losses in the assault on Marye’s Heights. The winter of 1862–63 was relatively quiet, aside from the “Mud March” and a march to the Rappahannock in support of General Averell.

In April 1863, the regiment participated in the Chancellorsville Campaign as part of the V Corps under General Meade, suffering considerable losses and being the last regiment of its corps to cross the river during the withdrawal. After encamping at Fredericksburg and performing picket duty at Kelly’s Ford, the regiment joined the Gettysburg Campaign, arriving on July 2, 1863. The regiment sustained heavy losses at Gettysburg, with only 90 men remaining at the end of the battle. Colonel Sweitzer was wounded, and Major Lowry and several other officers were killed.

Following Gettysburg, the 62nd Pennsylvania took part in the campaigns at Rappahannock Station, Locust Grove, and Mine Run, and spent the winter of 1863–64 at Licking Run. In May 1864, with its ranks replenished, the regiment entered the Overland Campaign under General Warren’s V Corps, engaging in nearly continuous combat at the Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spotsylvania, North Anna River, Totopotomoy Creek, Bethesda Church, and the initial assaults on Petersburg. On June 21, 1864, it fought at the Jerusalem Plank Road. The regiment was then assigned to fatigue and picket duties until July 3, when the original members, except veterans, were ordered to the rear as their terms expired. Companies L and M, whose terms had not expired, were transferred to the 91st Pennsylvania, and the remaining recruits and veterans to the 105th Pennsylvania. The regiment was mustered out at Pittsburgh on July 13, 1864. Companies L and M were mustered out in August 1864.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Peninsula Campaign (including Yorktown, Hanover Court House, Mechanicsville, Gaines’ Mill, Malvern Hill)
• Second Bull Run (in reserve)
• Antietam (supporting artillery)
• Fredericksburg
• Chancellorsville Campaign
• Gettysburg
• Rappahannock Station
• Locust Grove
• Mine Run Campaign
• Wilderness Campaign (including Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spotsylvania, North Anna River, Totopotomoy Creek, Bethesda Church)
• First assaults on Petersburg
• Jerusalem Plank Road

Casualties

During the Peninsula Campaign, the regiment lost 298 men killed, wounded, or missing. At Fredericksburg, losses included 2 officers and 5 men killed, and 7 officers and 56 men wounded. At Gettysburg, the regiment could muster only 90 men at the end of the battle, with several officers killed or wounded. In the final campaign (spring–summer 1864), out of 557 men, the regiment lost 1 officer and 28 men killed, 11 officers and 227 men wounded, and 1 officer and 30 men missing. Six officers died soon after from their wounds. Total losses for the regiment are not fully enumerated in all sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Samuel W. Black (killed at Gaines’ Mill)
• Colonel J. Bowman Sweitzer (wounded at Gettysburg)
• Lieutenant Colonel J. B. Sweitzer
• Lieutenant Colonel James C. Hull
• Major J. W. Patterson
• Major William G. Lowry (killed at Gettysburg)

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 62nd 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 complete roster, visit the 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (Army of the Potomac reports, 1861–1864)
• 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, Federal Publishing Company, 1908, Vol. 1