Overview
The 63rd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, during August and September 1861 for Union service in the American Civil War. The regiment was primarily recruited from Allegheny, Beaver, Clarion, Venango, and Mercer counties. It served in the Eastern Theater and was attached to various brigades and divisions within the Army of the Potomac, participating in many major campaigns and battles.
The regiment was mustered into U.S. service at intervals during late summer and early fall of 1861. Many of its officers and men had prior service, notably Colonel Alexander Hays, a West Point graduate and Mexican War veteran. The 63rd Pennsylvania Infantry became known for its active engagement in numerous significant battles and for sustaining heavy losses in several actions.
Organization & Service
The 63rd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in August and September 1861. Four companies departed for Washington, D.C., on August 26, with the remainder following near the end of September. The regiment was mustered into Federal service at various times during these months. Its early assignment was to the 3rd Brigade (Col. Jameson), Heintzelman’s Division, composed of Pennsylvania troops. The regiment spent the winter of 1861–62 near Fort Lyon, engaged in drill and picket duty.
On March 5, 1862, the regiment suffered its first combat fatalities during a skirmish on the picket line. The 63rd participated in the Peninsula Campaign, including the siege of Yorktown and the battles of Fair Oaks (where it held the Williamsburg Road and suffered heavy losses), Charles City Cross Roads (receiving commendation for gallantry), and was present at Malvern Hill. After the campaign, the regiment moved to support General Pope’s army, fighting at the Second Battle of Bull Run, where it again sustained significant casualties. It was engaged at Chantilly and then assigned to the defenses of Washington until after Antietam.
Following a period of scouting duty near Poolesville, Maryland, the regiment rejoined the Army of the Potomac and participated in the advance to Warrenton and the Battle of Fredericksburg, where it spent 48 hours on the front line. The winter of 1862–63 included participation in the “Mud March.” At Chancellorsville, the regiment suffered severe losses, including the mortal wounding of Colonel Kirkwood and the capture of Major Danks. As part of the 3rd Corps, it fought at Gettysburg, arriving on the evening of July 1, 1863, and holding an exposed position for two days with relatively light casualties.
During the summer and fall of 1863, the regiment was engaged at Wapping Heights, Auburn Mills, Kelly’s Ford, and Locust Grove. It received 300 drafted recruits at Culpeper. The winter was spent at Brandy Station. In May 1864, the regiment joined the Overland Campaign as part of the 2nd Brigade (Gen. Hays), 3rd Division (Gen. Birney), 2nd Corps. It suffered heavy losses at the Wilderness, including the wounding of Colonel Danks and the deaths of Major McCullough and General Hays. The regiment continued in near-constant action at Spotsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomoy, and Cold Harbor. After crossing the James River, it participated in the early assaults on Petersburg, again sustaining heavy losses, especially in prisoners.
On September 9, 1864, the original members, except for veterans who reenlisted, were mustered out. The remaining veterans and recruits were transferred first to the 99th Pennsylvania Infantry and subsequently to the 105th Pennsylvania Infantry.
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
- Peninsula Campaign (including Siege of Yorktown, Fair Oaks, Charles City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill)
- Second Battle of Bull Run
- Chantilly
- Fredericksburg
- Chancellorsville
- Gettysburg
- Wapping Heights
- Auburn Mills
- Kelly’s Ford
- Locust Grove
- Wilderness
- Spotsylvania
- North Anna
- Totopotomoy
- Cold Harbor
- Petersburg (early assaults)
Casualties
At Chancellorsville, out of 330 men engaged, 120 were reported killed, wounded, or missing. During the Wilderness campaign, the regiment lost 186 killed and wounded in two days. Detailed aggregate casualty figures for the entire service term are not fully preserved in available primary sources.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel Alexander Hays
- Colonel A. S. M. Morgan
- Colonel William S. Kirkwood
- Colonel John A. Danks
- Lieutenant Colonel A. S. M. Morgan
- Lieutenant Colonel William S. Kirkwood
- Lieutenant Colonel John A. Danks
- Major Maurice Wallace
- Major William S. Kirkwood
- Major John A. Danks
- Major James F. Ryan
- Major G. W. McCullough
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 63rd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official state and federal records.
To view the complete roster, visit the 63rd 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, annual volumes (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