69th Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 69th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment raised primarily in Philadelphia, with some men from Schuylkill County. Mustered into United States service on August 19, 1861, for a three-year term, the regiment served in the Army of the Potomac and participated in many of the major campaigns and battles of the Eastern Theater. The regiment was known for its strong Irish composition and its association with the Philadelphia Brigade.

This unit served the Union cause and was noted for its gallantry in action, suffering heavy losses in several major engagements, including Antietam and Gettysburg.

Organization & Service

The 69th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized in Philadelphia and mustered in on August 19, 1861. Its first colonel, Joshua T. Owen, had previously commanded the 24th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Months’ Service). The regiment left Pennsylvania for Washington, D.C., on September 17, 1861, and was initially assigned to the Philadelphia Brigade under Col. E. D. Baker in Stone’s Division, Banks’ Army. After Col. Baker’s death at Ball’s Bluff, brigade command passed to Gen. W. W. Burns, and Gen. Sedgwick succeeded Gen. Stone in division command.

In October 1861, the regiment joined the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, II Corps, Army of the Potomac. The 69th remained near Washington on fortification and routine duties until February 1862, when it moved to the Peninsula for the campaign against Richmond. The regiment participated in the siege of Yorktown, fought at Fair Oaks, and was heavily engaged at the Peach Orchard, Savage Station, and Charles City Cross Roads, where it was commended for a successful bayonet charge. It also saw action at Malvern Hill before moving to Centerville and then to the Second Bull Run campaign area.

The regiment fought at Chantilly and suffered significant casualties at Antietam. It skirmished at Snicker’s Gap and camped at Falmouth in November 1862, where Col. Owen was promoted and succeeded by Col. Dennis O’Kane. The 69th was heavily engaged at Fredericksburg and participated in the Chancellorsville Campaign, though not actively engaged in the main battle. In June 1863, it skirmished at Thoroughfare Gap and Haymarket before arriving at Gettysburg, where it suffered severe losses during the defense of Cemetery Ridge.

Following Gettysburg, the regiment participated in the pursuit of Lee’s army and the Mine Run Campaign. It wintered at Stevensburg, Virginia, where many veterans reenlisted and received a new regimental flag. In the Overland Campaign of 1864, the 69th fought at the Wilderness, Po River, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomoy, and Cold Harbor. After crossing the James River, it was engaged at the Jerusalem Plank Road, Reams’ Station, Hatcher’s Run, and Dabney’s Mills. The regiment led an assault on the Petersburg works on March 25, 1865, and participated in the final Appomattox Campaign, fighting at Jetersville and High Bridge, and was present at Clover Hill for the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. The regiment was mustered out at Ball’s Cross Roads, opposite Washington, D.C.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Siege of Yorktown
• Battle of Fair Oaks
• Peach Orchard
• Savage Station
• Charles City Cross Roads
• Malvern Hill
• Chantilly
• Antietam
• Snicker’s Gap
• Fredericksburg
• Chancellorsville Campaign (skirmishes at Thoroughfare Gap and Haymarket)
• Gettysburg
• Mine Run Campaign
• The Wilderness
• Po River
• Spotsylvania
• North Anna
• Totopotomoy
• Cold Harbor
• Jerusalem Plank Road
• Reams’ Station
• Hatcher’s Run
• Dabney’s Mills
• Assault on Petersburg works (March 25, 1865)
• Jetersville
• High Bridge
• Clover Hill (Appomattox surrender)

Casualties

The 69th Pennsylvania Infantry suffered heavy losses in several major battles. At Antietam, the regiment lost 3 officers and 18 men killed, 3 officers and 54 men wounded, and 1 officer and 9 men captured. At Gettysburg, out of 258 officers and men engaged, 6 officers and 32 men were killed, 7 officers and 76 men wounded, and 2 officers and 16 men captured, totaling 143 casualties. The regiment also sustained significant losses at Fredericksburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and other engagements. Complete aggregate casualty figures for the entire service term are not specified in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Joshua T. Owen
• Colonel Dennis O’Kane
• Colonel William Davis
• Lieutenant Colonel Dennis O’Kane
• Lieutenant Colonel John Devereux
• Lieutenant Colonel Martin Tschudy
• Lieutenant Colonel James Duffy
• Lieutenant Colonel William Davis
• Lieutenant Colonel James O’Reilly
• Major John Devereux
• Major Martin Tschudy
• Major James Duffy
• Major William Davis
• Major Patrick S. Tinen
• Major James O’Reilly
• Major John M’Hugh

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 69th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides details on individual soldiers who served in the unit throughout its term of service.

To view the complete roster, visit the 69th 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, II Corps reports)
• 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, Vol. 1 (Federal Publishing Company, 1908)