101st Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 101st Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Pennsylvania for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was formed at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, in the late autumn of 1861, drawing seven companies from Allegheny, Beaver, and Lawrence counties, and three companies from Tioga, Bedford, and Adams counties. It was mustered into United States service for a three-year term and served primarily in the Eastern Theater, participating in operations in Virginia and North Carolina.

The 101st Pennsylvania Infantry was attached to the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 4th Corps, and later served in various commands in North Carolina. The regiment is notable for its heavy losses at the Battle of Fair Oaks and for the capture of nearly the entire unit at Plymouth, North Carolina, in April 1864.

Organization & Service

The 101st Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, and mustered into service in late 1861. On February 27, 1862, the regiment departed for Washington, D.C., and was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 4th Corps under General Keyes. At the end of March, it moved to Newport News, Virginia, and soon became engaged in the Peninsula Campaign.

The regiment participated in the siege of Yorktown and the battle of Williamsburg. At the Battle of Fair Oaks, the 101st suffered significant casualties. During the Seven Days’ Battles, the regiment was involved in various operations and was subsequently stationed at Suffolk from September 18 to December 4, 1862. It was then ordered to New Berne, North Carolina, to join the Goldsboro expedition, encountering the enemy at Kinston, Whitehall, and Goldsboro. The regiment returned to New Berne and established winter quarters nearby.

In April 1863, the 101st took part in the relief of Little Washington, North Carolina, making attempts by both water and land, and engaged the enemy at Swift Creek. From July 1863 to April 1864, the regiment was stationed at Plymouth, North Carolina, conducting expeditions and skirmishes in the surrounding area. In early 1864, many members reenlisted. The regiment was briefly sent to Roanoke Island in March 1864, but returned to Plymouth in April.

During the Confederate attack on Plymouth in April 1864, the regiment resisted for three days before being compelled to surrender. The officers were sent to Macon, Georgia, and the enlisted men to Andersonville Prison. Some escaped or were exchanged during the summer, but many remained in captivity until the summer of 1865, with over half dying in prison. Those absent on leave or sick, along with exchanged prisoners, maintained the regimental organization and received eight new companies in March 1865, though these were never fully incorporated. The regiment was mustered out at New Berne, North Carolina, on June 25, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Siege of Yorktown (April–May 1862)
• Battle of Williamsburg (May 5, 1862)
• Battle of Fair Oaks (May 31–June 1, 1862)
• Seven Days’ Battles (June–July 1862)
• Operations at Suffolk (September–December 1862)
• Goldsboro Expedition, including Kinston, Whitehall, and Goldsboro (December 1862)
• Relief of Little Washington (April 1863)
• Skirmish at Swift Creek (April 1863)
• Garrison duty at Plymouth, North Carolina (July 1863–April 1864)
• Defense and surrender of Plymouth (April 17–20, 1864)

Casualties

According to available sources, the 101st Pennsylvania Infantry suffered heavy losses, particularly at the Battle of Fair Oaks and following the surrender at Plymouth. Over half of those captured at Plymouth died in Confederate prisons. Specific casualty figures are not consistently reported in primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Joseph H. Wilson
• Colonel David B. Morris
• Colonel James Sheafer
• Lieutenant Colonel David B. Morris
• Lieutenant Colonel Joseph S. Hoard
• Lieutenant Colonel David M. Armour
• Lieutenant Colonel Alexander W. Taylor
• Lieutenant Colonel Melvin L. Clark
• Major Joseph S. Hoard
• Major David M. Armour
• Major Alexander W. Taylor
• Major David W. Mullin
• Major Henry S. Benner

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 101st 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 101st Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XI, XVIII, XXVII, XXXIII
• 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