67th Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 67th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment raised from across the state of Pennsylvania for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was organized at Philadelphia and mustered into United States service between August 28, 1861, and March 31, 1862, for a three-year term. The 67th Pennsylvania served primarily in the Eastern Theater, participating in both garrison and field operations, and was attached to various commands throughout its service.

The regiment is notable for its extensive provost and guard duties early in the war, its capture at Winchester in June 1863, and its later participation in major campaigns with the VI Corps, including the Shenandoah Valley operations and the final Appomattox Campaign.

Organization & Service

The 67th Pennsylvania Infantry was organized at Philadelphia, with companies mustered in gradually from August 28, 1861, to March 31, 1862. Upon completion of organization, the regiment departed Pennsylvania on April 3, 1862, for Baltimore, Maryland, and soon after moved to Annapolis. There, the regiment performed provost guard and various special duties until February 1863.

In February 1863, the regiment moved to Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, for garrison and guard duty, and was subsequently transferred to Berryville, where it was assigned to the 3rd Brigade of General Milroy’s command under Colonel McReynolds. The brigade was tasked with maintaining open communications with Harper’s Ferry and guarding the Blue Ridge passes and Shenandoah River fords.

During the engagement at Winchester in June 1863, the 67th Pennsylvania attempted to break through Confederate forces under Ewell and Longstreet. Nearly the entire regiment was captured, with only about 75 men escaping. The captured members were paroled after two months and returned to Annapolis. The portion of the regiment that escaped was assigned to General Elliott’s brigade, 3rd Division, 3rd Corps, and participated in fortifying Maryland Heights until late June, after which it moved to Washington and then joined the Army of the Potomac at Frederick, Maryland. The paroled men were exchanged and rejoined the regiment on October 11, 1863.

The regiment served with the 3rd Corps during the fall and early winter campaigns of 1863, wintering at Brandy Station. Many men reenlisted, but due to regulations, the regiment was not entitled to a veteran furlough as a unit; however, 350 veterans were granted furlough by General Meade, while about 200 men were temporarily attached to the 135th Pennsylvania. Upon return, the regiment reported to General Abercrombie at Belle Plain and was posted at White House in June 1864, engaging in a skirmish with enemy cavalry and later at Charles City Court House. The 67th then rejoined its brigade near Petersburg, and the detached men returned from the 135th Pennsylvania.

With the VI Corps, the regiment participated in the movement against the Weldon Railroad, then moved with the 3rd Division to Baltimore in response to General Early’s advance on Washington. Although it arrived too late for the Battle of Monocacy, it served as rear guard during the retreat. The regiment took part in subsequent operations under General Wright and was engaged at Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, and Cedar Creek, suffering significant casualties at Cedar Creek. The 67th remained in the Shenandoah Valley until late 1864, then rejoined the army before Petersburg, participating in the final operations leading to Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. The regiment marched to Danville and, after the surrender of General Johnston, returned to Washington, where it was mustered out on July 14, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Provost and guard duty at Annapolis, Maryland (1862–1863)
• Garrison and guard duty at Harper’s Ferry and Berryville (early 1863)
• Battle of Winchester (June 1863)
• Fortification of Maryland Heights (June 1863)
• Operations with the Army of the Potomac (fall–winter 1863)
• Skirmish at White House, Virginia (June 1864)
• Action at Charles City Court House (June 1864)
• Siege of Petersburg (summer 1864–spring 1865)
• Movement against the Weldon Railroad (summer 1864)
• Defense of Baltimore and Washington (July 1864)
• Shenandoah Valley Campaigns: Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, Cedar Creek (fall 1864)
• Final Appomattox Campaign (spring 1865)

Casualties

According to available sources, the 67th Pennsylvania Infantry suffered the following losses during its service:

• Killed or mortally wounded: figures not specified in all sources.
• Died of disease: figures not specified in all sources.
• Total losses: Specific numbers are not consistently reported in primary sources.

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John F. Staunton
• Colonel Harry White
• Colonel John C. Carpenter
• Lieutenant Colonel Horace B. Burnham
• Lieutenant Colonel Harry White
• Lieutenant Colonel John C. Carpenter
• Lieutenant Colonel Peter Marsh
• Major Harry White
• Major John F. Young
• Major John C. Carpenter
• Major Samuel McHenry

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 67th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and, when available, additional service details for each member of the regiment.

To view the complete roster, visit the 67th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (see reports on Winchester, Shenandoah Valley, and Appomattox Campaigns)
• Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Reports, Civil War volumes
• 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, Volume 1