107th Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 107th 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 mustered into United States service at Harrisburg on March 5, 1862, for a three-year term. Its ranks were filled by volunteers from numerous Pennsylvania counties, including Franklin, York, Dauphin, Cumberland, Lebanon, Lancaster, Schuylkill, Luzerne, Mifflin, Juniata, Bedford, and Fulton. The 107th served primarily in the Eastern Theater and participated in many of the major campaigns and battles of the Army of the Potomac.

Organization & Service

The 107th Pennsylvania Infantry was organized at Harrisburg and mustered in on March 5, 1862. Four days later, the regiment moved to Washington, D.C., and then to Cloud’s Mills, Virginia. On April 16, 1862, it was assigned to Duryea’s Brigade, Ord’s Division, McDowell’s Corps. In May, the regiment was posted along the Orange & Alexandria Railroad to guard the section between Manassas and Catlett’s Station. On May 28, it was sent to Front Royal, but soon returned to Catlett’s Station, remaining there until August 5, when it joined General Pope’s army at Culpeper.

The regiment was held in reserve at the Battle of Cedar Mountain but saw heavy action at the Second Battle of Bull Run, suffering significant casualties. Subsequently, the 107th was attached to the 1st Corps under General Hooker. It supported the reserves at South Mountain and was heavily engaged at Antietam, where it lost 64 men killed or wounded out of 190 engaged. After establishing camp at Brook’s Station on October 25, the regiment participated in the Battle of Fredericksburg and the “Mud March” before returning to winter quarters.

In late April 1863, the regiment broke camp for the Chancellorsville Campaign, returning in early May. At Gettysburg, the 107th suffered heavy losses, including 100 men captured, many of whom died in Confederate prisons. The regiment then moved south with the Army of the Potomac, participated in the Mine Run Campaign, and spent the winter at Mitchell’s Station, performing picket and guard duty. The 2nd Division, including the 107th, was reassigned to the 5th Corps under General Warren.

In February 1864, most members reenlisted, though their veteran furlough was delayed until April. The regiment rejoined the army on May 15, 1864, and was engaged almost daily during the Overland Campaign and the early stages of the Petersburg operations. On May 13, the regiment was specially commended by General Crawford for its defense of its position. In August, at the Weldon Railroad, 145 men and 6 officers were captured. Notably, Private Solomon Hottenstein led a successful escape of 300 prisoners, for which he received a furlough and the Medal of Honor.

The 107th participated in actions at Poplar Spring Church, Hatcher’s Run, the Weldon Railroad raid in December, and Dabney’s Mill in February 1865. It was attached to the 3rd Brigade and fought at Boydton Plank Road on March 31 and at Five Forks on April 1. After the fall of Petersburg, the regiment was posted near Nottoway Court House before returning to Washington, D.C., where it took part in the Grand Review. The regiment was mustered out on July 13, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Orange & Alexandria Railroad guard duty (May–August 1862)
• Second Battle of Bull Run
• Battle of South Mountain
• Battle of Antietam
• Battle of Fredericksburg
• “Mud March”
• Chancellorsville Campaign
• Battle of Gettysburg
• Mine Run Campaign
• Overland Campaign
• Siege of Petersburg
• Battle of Weldon Railroad
• Poplar Spring Church
• Hatcher’s Run
• Dabney’s Mill
• Boydton Plank Road
• Battle of Five Forks

Casualties

According to available sources, the 107th Pennsylvania Infantry suffered significant losses in several major engagements. At Antietam, 64 men were killed or wounded out of 190 engaged. At Gettysburg, the regiment suffered heavy casualties, with 100 men captured. During the Weldon Railroad engagement, 145 men and 6 officers were captured. Total losses for the regiment are not fully detailed in all sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Thomas A. Zeigle
• Colonel Thomas F. McCoy
• Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. McAllen
• Lieutenant Colonel James MacThomson
• Lieutenant Colonel Henry J. Sheafer
• Lieutenant Colonel Edwin E. Zeigler
• Major Jacob Forney
• Major James MacThomson
• Major Henry J. Sheafer
• Major Edwin E. Zeigler

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 107th 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 107th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes relevant to Army of the Potomac operations
• 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