81st Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 81st Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with companies recruited from Philadelphia, Carbon County, and Luzerne County. The regiment was mustered into United States service between August and October 1861 for a three-year term. Serving in the Army of the Potomac, the 81st Pennsylvania participated in many major campaigns and battles of the Eastern Theater. The regiment was known for its high casualty rate and sustained combat activity throughout the war.

This unit served the Union and was attached to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Corps. Its service included participation in the Peninsula Campaign, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Overland Campaign, Petersburg, and the Appomattox Campaign. The regiment mustered out at Alexandria, Virginia, on June 29, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 81st Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Philadelphia and mustered into service between August and October 1861. Colonel James Miller, a veteran of the Mexican War, was its first commander. Many officers and men had prior service in the state militia or in the three months’ regiments at the war’s outset.

The regiment left Pennsylvania for Washington, D.C., on October 10, 1861, and was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac. During the winter of 1861–62, the regiment performed scouting duties. In March 1862, it began active operations, moving to the Virginia Peninsula for McClellan’s campaign against Richmond. The regiment was engaged in constructing the Sumner bridge over the Chickahominy River and fought at Golding’s Farm. It suffered heavy casualties at Fair Oaks, where Colonel Miller was killed, and participated in the Seven Days Battles, including Peach Orchard, Savage Station, Charles City Cross Roads (where Colonel Johnson and other officers were wounded), and Malvern Hill (where Lieutenant Colonel Conner was killed).

After arriving too late for the Second Battle of Bull Run, the regiment was in reserve at South Mountain and heavily engaged at Antietam, losing several officers. It fought at Fredericksburg in December 1862 and wintered near Falmouth, Virginia. In May 1863, the 81st Pennsylvania was engaged at Chancellorsville, suffering significant losses, including severe wounds to Colonel McKeen and Major Harkness. The regiment then moved to Stoneman’s Switch and Stafford Court House, skirmishing with Confederate forces.

Arriving at Gettysburg on the evening of July 1, 1863, the regiment constructed breastworks and was heavily engaged on July 2 in the Wheatfield, losing about half its effective strength. On July 3, it was posted near the cemetery. The regiment joined in the pursuit of Lee’s army and participated in subsequent operations in the Valley of Virginia and at Mine Run. The winter of 1863–64 was spent near Brandy Station and Stevensburg. A portion of the regiment reenlisted in January 1864 and received veteran furloughs, returning in time for the spring campaign.

During the Overland Campaign of 1864, the 81st Pennsylvania fought at the Wilderness, Po River, Spotsylvania (where Lieutenant Colonel Wilson was severely wounded), North Anna, Totopotomoy, and Cold Harbor (where Colonel McKeen was killed). The regiment participated in the initial assaults on Petersburg and later fought at Strawberry Plains, Reams’ Station, and Deep Bottom. The winter of 1864–65 was spent in the trenches before Petersburg. In the final campaign of March–April 1865, the regiment was engaged at Farmville, suffering additional losses, including the deaths of Captains Wilson and Bond. After the surrender at Appomattox, the regiment returned to Washington and was mustered out at Alexandria, Virginia, on June 29, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Peninsula Campaign (including Golding’s Farm, Fair Oaks, Seven Days Battles: Peach Orchard, Savage Station, Charles City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill)
• Antietam
• Fredericksburg
• Chancellorsville
• Gettysburg
• Mine Run Campaign
• Overland Campaign (Wilderness, Po River, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomoy, Cold Harbor)
• Assaults on Petersburg
• Strawberry Plains
• Reams’ Station
• Deep Bottom
• Siege of Petersburg
• Appomattox Campaign (including Farmville)

Casualties

• Officers killed or mortally wounded: 14
• Officers wounded: 45
• Officers prisoners: 3
• Officers died of disease: 2
• Enlisted men killed or mortally wounded: 201
• Enlisted men wounded: 516
• Enlisted men died of disease: 79

These figures are based on regimental and official reports. If other sources provide different totals, those are not reflected here.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel James Miller
• Colonel Charles F. Johnson
• Colonel H. Boyd McKeen
• Colonel William Wilson
• Lieutenant Colonel Charles F. Johnson
• Lieutenant Colonel Eli T. Conner
• Lieutenant Colonel H. Boyd McKeen
• Lieutenant Colonel Robert M. Lee, Jr.
• Lieutenant Colonel Amos Stroh
• Lieutenant Colonel Thomas C. Harkness
• Lieutenant Colonel William Wilson
• Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence Mercer
• Major Eli T. Conner
• Major Robert M. Lee, Jr.
• Major Thomas C. Harkness
• Major William Wilson
• Major Lawrence Mercer
• Major James H. Mitchell

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 81st Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and additional service details valuable for genealogical and historical research.

To view the complete roster, visit the 81st Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 11, 12, 19, 21, 25, 27, 29, 36, 40, 46 (reports and correspondence involving the 81st Pennsylvania Infantry)
• Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report, annual reports for 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, Volume 1