109th Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 109th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, between December 1861 and March 1862. It served in the Union Army, primarily in the Eastern and Western Theaters. The regiment is notable for its heavy losses at Cedar Mountain and its participation in major campaigns from Virginia to Georgia, including the Atlanta Campaign and Sherman’s March to the Sea.

This unit was mustered in for three years’ service and was composed largely of recruits from Philadelphia. It was later consolidated with the 111th Pennsylvania Infantry in 1865.

Organization & Service

The 109th Pennsylvania Infantry was organized at Philadelphia and mustered into service in the spring of 1862. After organization, the regiment was ordered to Harper’s Ferry to join General Banks’ army and was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, which became part of the 2nd Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia. The regiment saw its first major action at the Battle of Cedar Mountain in August 1862, suffering significant casualties.

Following Cedar Mountain, the 109th performed guard duty with wagon trains until after the Battle of Antietam. After the corps was reorganized, the regiment became part of Greene’s Brigade, Geary’s Division, 12th Corps, and moved to Bolivar Heights. In December 1862, it was engaged at Winchester and then advanced toward Fredericksburg, arriving too late to participate in the battle. The regiment spent the winter at Fairfax and participated in the “Mud March” before being posted at Acquia Creek Landing for fatigue duty.

With General Hooker’s assumption of command, the 109th was assigned to a brigade under General Kane (the “Bucktails”) and was active at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. After Gettysburg, the regiment moved with the 12th Corps to the Western Theater, arriving at Bridgeport, Alabama, in October 1863. It was attacked at Wauhatchie and later aided in fortifying Raccoon Mountain, remaining there until January 1864 before returning to Bridgeport for guard duty.

Nearly the entire regiment reenlisted in early 1864 and was granted furlough. Upon return, the veterans joined the 1st Brigade of their division on May 5, 1864, and marched with Sherman’s army during the Atlanta Campaign, suffering heavy losses. The regiment continued with Sherman’s forces through the March to the Sea and the Carolinas Campaign, ending its service in Washington, D.C. On March 31, 1865, the 109th was consolidated with the 111th Pennsylvania Infantry and mustered out on July 19, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Cedar Mountain
• Winchester (December 1862)
• Fredericksburg (arrived after battle)
• Chancellorsville
• Gettysburg
• Wauhatchie
• Atlanta Campaign (including the Hundred Days’ Battles)
• Sherman’s March to the Sea
• Carolinas Campaign (including Goldsboro)

Casualties

Specific casualty figures for the 109th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) are not fully detailed in all primary sources. The regiment suffered heavy losses at Cedar Mountain and throughout the Atlanta Campaign, with significant attrition reported during Sherman’s operations. For precise numbers, consult Fox’s Regimental Losses and the Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s reports.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Henry J. Stainrook
• Colonel Lewis W. Ralston
• Lieutenant Colonel Charles M. Harris
• Lieutenant Colonel Lewis W. Ralston
• Lieutenant Colonel Frederick L. Gimber
• Major William A. Gray
• Major Frederick L. Gimber
• Major Moses Veale

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of officers and enlisted men who served in the 109th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and service details valuable for genealogical and historical research.

To view the full roster, visit the 109th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts
• Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Reports
• 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, Vol. 1