75th Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 75th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and mustered into United States service at Camp Worth during August and September 1861. Composed principally of German immigrants from Philadelphia, the regiment served in the Union Army, primarily in the Eastern and Western Theaters. Many of its members had prior military experience in European armies, and its early leadership included veterans of the Mexican War and the 1848 Baden revolution. The regiment was originally known as the 40th Pennsylvania Infantry before being redesignated as the 75th.

The 75th Pennsylvania Infantry participated in several major campaigns and battles, including Cross Keys, Second Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and Franklin. The regiment reenlisted as a veteran organization in January 1864 and continued service until mustering out in September 1865.

Organization & Service

The 75th Pennsylvania Infantry was mustered in at Camp Worth, Philadelphia, in August and September 1861 for a three-year term. The regiment, about 800 strong, left for Washington, D.C., on September 26, 1861, and was assigned to Blenker’s Division. After encamping at Roach’s Mills and then Hunter’s Chapel, the regiment spent the winter of 1861–62 in the defenses of Washington. A regimental band led by Rudolph Wittig joined on October 31, 1861, but was discharged by general order in August 1862.

In March 1862, the regiment advanced with the army, reaching Warrenton Junction, then was ordered to report to General Fremont’s Mountain Department. On April 15, 1862, a tragic ferry accident on the Shenandoah River resulted in the drowning of several officers and about 50 enlisted men. The regiment encamped at Winchester, Virginia, from April 18 to May 6, 1862, and then moved to Franklin, later pursuing Confederate forces under Stonewall Jackson. It was in reserve at the battle of Cross Keys and subsequently assigned to the 2nd Brigade (Col. Kryzanowski), 3rd Division (Gen. Schurz), 1st Corps (Gen. Sigel), Army of Virginia.

The 75th Pennsylvania saw action at Freeman’s Ford, where Colonel Bohlen was killed, and participated in the battles of Groveton and Second Bull Run, suffering significant casualties. After wintering at Stafford Court House and Hartwood Church, the regiment was reinforced by recruits and returning convalescents. It fought at Chancellorsville in May 1863, with losses including prisoners and wounded, and then took part in the Gettysburg Campaign. At Gettysburg, the regiment was heavily engaged on July 1, 1863, north of the town, and later held positions on Cemetery Hill.

Following Gettysburg, the regiment moved with the 11th and 12th Corps to Tennessee, participating in the relief of the Army of the Cumberland and fighting at Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. On January 2, 1864, the regiment reenlisted as a veteran organization and received a furlough. Non-veterans were temporarily transferred to the 82nd Illinois. The regiment returned to duty in Nashville by July 1864, performing guard and provost duties, and was present at the battle of Franklin, though not heavily engaged. Company E was captured while stationed on the Tennessee & Alabama Railroad. The regiment continued with guard and scouting duties until mustering out at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on September 1, 1865. It returned to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on September 12, 1865, with 236 men present.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Advance to Washington defenses (1861–62)
• Mountain Department operations (Spring 1862)
• Battle of Cross Keys (June 1862)
• Battle of Freeman’s Ford (August 1862)
• Battles of Groveton and Second Bull Run (August 1862)
• Battle of Chancellorsville (May 1863)
• Battle of Gettysburg (July 1863)
• Chattanooga Campaign, including Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge (November 1863)
• Battle of Franklin (November 1864)
• Guard, scouting, and provost duties in Tennessee (1864–65)

Casualties

According to available primary sources, the 75th Pennsylvania Infantry suffered the following losses:

• At Second Bull Run: 2 officers and 28 men killed; 5 officers and 98 men wounded
• At Chancellorsville: 1 killed, 1 officer and 6 men wounded, 3 officers and 48 men captured
• At Gettysburg: 31 killed, 100 wounded, 6 captured
• Total losses for the entire service term are not fully detailed in all sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Henry Bohlen
• Colonel Philip Schapp
• Colonel Francis Mahler
• Lieutenant Colonel Francis Mahler
• Lieutenant Colonel Alvin Von Matzdorff
• Major Alvin Von Matzdorff
• Major August Ledig

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 75th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides details on company assignments, ranks, and service records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 75th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes
• 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, Volume 1