82nd Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 82nd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment raised primarily in Philadelphia, with Company B recruited in Pittsburgh. Organized in the late summer and fall of 1861, the regiment served in the Union Army throughout the Eastern Theater. Initially designated as the 31st Pennsylvania Infantry, it was renumbered as the 82nd after the battle of Fair Oaks. The regiment is noted for its participation in major campaigns from the Peninsula through Appomattox, including significant actions at Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Cold Harbor, and Sailor’s Creek.

Organization & Service

The 82nd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) began organizing at Suffolk Park, Philadelphia, in July, August, and September 1861. The first four companies were sent to Washington, D.C., due to concerns for the capital’s safety, with the remaining companies joining as they were mustered. The regiment completed its organization in Washington and was assigned to the 1st Brigade (Brig. Gen. Graham), 1st Division (Brig. Gen. Buell, later Brig. Gen. Couch), 4th Corps (Maj. Gen. Keyes).

For six months, the regiment performed drill, guard, and fatigue duty in the defenses of Washington. In March 1862, it advanced to Manassas, then returned to Washington before moving to Fortress Monroe for the Peninsula Campaign. The regiment saw its first major combat at Fair Oaks on May 31, 1862, and subsequently fought at Charles City Cross Roads and Malvern Hill during the Seven Days Battles. After brief involvement at Chantilly and minor engagement at Antietam, the regiment was attached to the 6th Corps, with which it remained for the rest of its service.

The 82nd participated in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, notably storming Marye’s Heights and fighting at Salem Church. During the Gettysburg Campaign, the regiment arrived on July 2, 1863, and was positioned near Little Round Top, later supporting the right flank and reserve. It skirmished at Funkstown, Maryland, and took part in subsequent maneuvers, including Rappahannock Station and the Mine Run Campaign, before wintering at Brandy Station.

In early 1864, about half the regiment reenlisted and received a veteran furlough. The regiment was temporarily sent to Johnson’s Island, Ohio, to guard Confederate prisoners, then returned to the Army of the Potomac, rejoining at the North Anna River. The 82nd suffered heavy losses at Cold Harbor in June 1864. It participated in the crossing of the James River, skirmished with cavalry, and helped defend Washington during Early’s raid, seeing action at Fort Stevens and Summit Point.

When the original enlistments expired in September 1864, non-veterans mustered out in Philadelphia. Veterans and recruits formed a battalion, later joined by veterans from the 23rd Pennsylvania. Under Col. Bassett, the unit participated in Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign, returned to the Petersburg trenches, and fought at Sailor’s Creek during the Appomattox Campaign. The regiment was present at Lee’s surrender and mustered out at Hall’s Hill, Virginia, on July 13, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Defenses of Washington (1861–1862)
• Peninsula Campaign (Yorktown, Fair Oaks, Seven Days Battles: Charles City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill)
• Chantilly
• Antietam
• Fredericksburg
• Burnside’s Mud March
• Chancellorsville (Marye’s Heights, Salem Church)
• Gettysburg Campaign (Gettysburg, Funkstown)
• Rappahannock Station
• Mine Run Campaign
• Brandy Station (Winter Quarters 1863–1864)
• Johnson’s Island (Guard Duty)
• Overland Campaign (North Anna, Cold Harbor)
• Defense of Washington (Fort Stevens)
• Summit Point
• Shenandoah Valley Campaign (1864)
• Petersburg Siege
• Appomattox Campaign (Sailor’s Creek, Lee’s Surrender)

Casualties

At Fair Oaks, the regiment lost 8 killed and 24 wounded. At Cold Harbor, it suffered 173 killed, wounded, and missing, which was more than half its effective strength at the time. Complete aggregate casualty figures for the regiment’s entire service are not specified in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel David H. Williams
• Colonel Isaac C. Bassett
• Lieutenant Colonel Frank Vallee
• Lieutenant Colonel John M. Wetherill
• Lieutenant Colonel James R. Neiler
• Major John M. Wetherill
• Major Isaac C. Bassett
• Major Lyon L. Emanuel
• Major William Clark

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 82nd 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 research.

To view the complete roster, visit the 82nd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XI, XII, XXI, XXXVI, XL, XLVI
• 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