73rd Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 73rd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), also known as the Pennsylvania Legion, was an infantry regiment organized in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 1861. Mustered into United States service for three years, the regiment served in the Union Army, primarily in the Eastern and Western Theaters. The unit was notable for its participation in major campaigns including Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Chattanooga, and Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign and March to the Sea.

The regiment was recruited in Philadelphia and mustered in between July and September 1861. It was initially attached to Blenker’s Division and later served in the 11th and 20th Army Corps. The 73rd Pennsylvania Infantry was mustered out at Alexandria, Virginia, on July 14, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 73rd Pennsylvania Infantry was organized at Philadelphia in the summer of 1861 and mustered into service for three years in July, August, and September. The regiment rendezvoused at Engle’s and Wolf’s farms at Lemon Hill before departing the state on September 24, 1861. It proceeded via Washington, D.C., to Roach’s Mills, Virginia, and was assigned to General Blenker’s Division. The regiment moved to Hunter’s Chapel and Rose Hill, where it received its colors from Ex-Governor Pollock on behalf of the ladies of Philadelphia. In November, it marched to Anandale, Virginia.

By January 1862, the regiment’s enrollment was 855, increasing to 1,205 in March with the addition of Companies E and K and transfers from the disbanded 66th Pennsylvania. On March 10, 1862, the regiment participated in the Manassas campaign and in May joined General Fremont’s Mountain Department at Petersburg. It was in reserve at the Battle of Cross Keys and performed picket and guard duty at Luray, Thornton’s Gap, and Sperryville until July 20. The 73rd formed part of the rear guard during Pope’s retreat from the Rapidan and skirmished at Freeman’s Ford. The regiment suffered heavy losses at Groveton and Second Bull Run, including the death of Colonel Koltes and Captain Brueckner. Afterward, it remained in the Washington fortifications until the Fredericksburg campaign, arriving at Falmouth after the battle.

During the winter of 1862-63, the regiment was largely inactive except for the “Mud March” in January. In April 1863, it was assigned to the 1st Brigade (Colonel Bushbeck), 2nd Division (General Von Steinwehr), 11th Corps (General Howard) for the Chancellorsville campaign, where it was heavily engaged and suffered significant casualties. The regiment then encamped at Falmouth until June 12, when it began the Gettysburg campaign. Arriving on the afternoon of July 1, the 73rd participated in the fighting at Gettysburg, particularly in checking the enemy’s pursuit and holding positions on Cemetery Hill.

Following Gettysburg, the regiment moved into Virginia, was posted at Alexandria for a period, and rejoined its corps at Bridgeport, Alabama, in September 1863. It performed guard and picket duty, participated in foraging expeditions, and skirmished at Wauhatchie. At the Battle of Missionary Ridge, the regiment was largely captured, with only about 25 men escaping. The survivors and returned wounded later marched with Sherman to relieve Burnside and went into winter quarters near Chattanooga.

In January 1864, most of the regiment reenlisted and received veteran furloughs. Upon return, with new recruits, the 73rd was assigned to Bushbeck’s Brigade, Geary’s Division, 20th Corps, and participated in the Atlanta Campaign, the March to the Sea, and the Carolinas Campaign. After Johnston’s surrender, the regiment moved to Alexandria, Virginia, and was mustered out on July 14, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Manassas Campaign (March 1862)
• Battle of Cross Keys (June 1862, in reserve)
• Pope’s Campaign in Northern Virginia (August 1862)
• Battle of Freeman’s Ford
• Battle of Groveton
• Second Battle of Bull Run
• Fredericksburg Campaign (December 1862, arrived after battle)
• “Mud March” (January 1863)
• Chancellorsville Campaign (May 1863)
• Gettysburg Campaign (July 1863)
• Battle of Gettysburg
• Wauhatchie (October 1863)
• Battle of Missionary Ridge (November 1863)
• Relief of Knoxville (November–December 1863)
• Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864)
• March to the Sea (November–December 1864)
• Carolinas Campaign (February–April 1865)

Casualties

At the battles of Groveton and Second Bull Run, the regiment lost 216 killed and wounded, including Colonel Koltes and Captain Brueckner. At Chancellorsville, the 73rd lost 13 killed, 54 wounded, and 39 missing. At Gettysburg, losses were 8 killed and 26 wounded. During the Battle of Missionary Ridge, 8 officers and 89 men were taken prisoner, with additional killed, wounded, and missing. Complete aggregate casualty figures for the entire service term are not specified in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John A. Koltes (killed at Second Bull Run)
• Colonel G. A. Muehleck
• Colonel William Moore (wounded at Chancellorsville)
• Colonel Charles C. Cresson
• Lieutenant Colonel Michael A. Strong
• Lieutenant Colonel Charles C. Cresson
• Major Leopold Schott
• Major Michael A. Strong
• Major David A. Schultz
• Major Charles C. Cresson
• Major Christian H. Goebel
• Captain Kelly (commanded at Gettysburg)
• Captain Kennedy (carried regimental flag through imprisonment)

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 73rd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details as recorded in official sources.

To view the complete roster, visit the 73rd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XII, XXVII, XXXVIII, XLIV
• 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