95th Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 95th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was composed primarily of men from Philadelphia and its vicinity, with one company recruited in Burlington County, New Jersey. It was mustered into United States service between August 23 and October 16, 1861, for a three-year term. The 95th Pennsylvania served in the Eastern Theater and participated in many of the major campaigns and battles of the Army of the Potomac and the Sixth Corps.

Organization & Service

The 95th Pennsylvania Infantry was organized at Philadelphia and mustered in for three years’ service from August 23 to October 16, 1861. After initial training at Hestonville, the regiment left for Washington, D.C., on October 12, 1861, and was attached to General Newton’s brigade at Fairfax Seminary for instruction.

In early 1862, the regiment participated in the Peninsula Campaign, suffering significant losses at the Battle of Gaines’ Mill. It subsequently joined Pope’s army after the Second Battle of Bull Run and Chantilly, and was engaged at Crampton’s Gap and Antietam. The 95th fought at Fredericksburg in December 1862 and spent the winter near White Oak Church. In the spring of 1863, it took part in the Chancellorsville Campaign, again incurring heavy casualties.

The regiment reached Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, and was ordered into action that day. After Gettysburg, the 95th camped at Warrenton and performed picket duty at New Baltimore and Culpeper, wintering near Hazel River. At the end of 1863, 245 members reenlisted and were furloughed as veterans.

On May 2, 1864, the regiment broke camp and, as part of Upton’s Brigade, Russell’s Division, VI Corps, joined the Army of the Potomac for the Overland Campaign. The 95th participated in all major engagements of the VI Corps through July 1864, when it was ordered to Washington, D.C., and fought at Fort Stevens. The regiment then joined the pursuit of General Early, fighting at Fisher’s Hill and Cedar Creek.

On October 15, 1864, original members who had not reenlisted were mustered out, and the regiment was reinforced by a battalion from the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry. In December, the 95th returned to the Petersburg front, remaining there through the winter. In the spring of 1865, it took part in the final advance on Petersburg, the battle at Sailor’s Creek, and subsequent movements to Danville and Richmond. The regiment returned to Washington and was mustered out on July 17, 1865.

Research This Regiment Further

If you’d like to explore this unit’s history in more depth, regimental histories and Civil War reference works offer valuable detail.

Engagements & Campaigns

  • Peninsula Campaign (1862)
  • Battle of Gaines’ Mill
  • Second Bull Run and Chantilly (joined after the battles)
  • Battle of Crampton’s Gap
  • Battle of Antietam
  • Battle of Fredericksburg
  • Chancellorsville Campaign
  • Battle of Gettysburg
  • Overland Campaign (including Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor)
  • Defense of Washington (Fort Stevens)
  • Shenandoah Valley Campaign (Fisher’s Hill, Cedar Creek)
  • Petersburg Campaign
  • Appomattox Campaign (including Sailor’s Creek)

Casualties

According to Fox’s Regimental Losses, the 95th Pennsylvania Infantry lost a total of 251 men during service: 11 officers and 140 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, and 2 officers and 98 enlisted men died of disease. Total losses: 251.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel John M. Gosline
  • Colonel Gustavus W. Town
  • Colonel Thomas J. Town
  • Colonel John Harper
  • Lieutenant Colonel Gustavus W. Town
  • Lieutenant Colonel Elisha Hall
  • Lieutenant Colonel Edward Carroll
  • Lieutenant Colonel J. G. C. MacFarlan
  • Lieutenant Colonel John Harper
  • Lieutenant Colonel John A. Ward
  • Major William B. Hubbs
  • Major David F. Foley
  • Major Thomas J. Town
  • Major Theodore H. McCalla
  • Major Francis J. Randall
  • Major Hugh O. Roberts
  • Major John Harper
  • Major John A. Ward
  • Major W. J. MacDonald

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 95th 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 for those who served in the unit.

To view the complete roster, visit the 95th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 11, 19, 21, 25, 27, 29, 36, 39, 40, 46 (reports and correspondence involving the 95th Pennsylvania Infantry)
  • Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report, annual volumes (rosters and summaries)
  • 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
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