118th Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 118th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), also known as the “Corn Exchange Regiment,” was an infantry regiment from Pennsylvania that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was organized at Camp Union in Philadelphia and mustered into United States service on August 30, 1862, for a three-year term. The unit was raised with significant support from the Philadelphia Corn Exchange, which provided both a bounty and the necessary funds for its formation. The 118th Pennsylvania served primarily in the Eastern Theater as part of the Army of the Potomac.

The regiment was attached to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Corps throughout much of its service. It participated in many of the major campaigns and battles of the war, earning a reputation for discipline and gallantry. The regiment mustered out in Washington, D.C., on June 1, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 118th Pennsylvania Infantry was organized at Camp Union, Philadelphia, and mustered into Federal service on August 30, 1862. The regiment was immediately ordered to Washington, D.C., and attached to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Corps, Army of the Potomac. It reached the vicinity of Antietam on September 16, 1862, but was held in reserve during the battle. On September 20, at Blackford’s Ford near Shepherdstown, the regiment suffered heavy casualties, leaving 282 men on the field. Colonel Charles M. Prevost was brevetted brigadier-general for his conduct in this engagement.

In November 1862, the regiment moved south and participated in the Battle of Fredericksburg, joining in the assault on Marye’s Heights and sustaining significant losses. After the “Mud March” in January 1863, the regiment returned to camp at Falmouth, remaining there until late April. The 118th was closely engaged at Chancellorsville in May 1863 and then again encamped at Falmouth until June 10, when it began the northward movement during the Gettysburg Campaign. The regiment supported cavalry actions at Aldie, Upperville, and Middleburg before arriving at Gettysburg on July 2, where it was engaged in support of General Sickles’ corps and suffered further casualties.

Following Gettysburg, the regiment participated in the pursuit of Confederate forces and received about 300 recruits at Warrenton in August and September. It was involved in the Mine Run Campaign and spent the winter of 1863–64 at Beverly Ford. In May 1864, the 118th took part in the Overland Campaign, fighting at the Wilderness, Laurel Hill, North Anna River, Mechanicsville, Bethesda Church, and Petersburg. The regiment remained in the Petersburg trenches until mid-August, then joined the movement on the Weldon Railroad, and participated in actions at Yellow House, Hatcher’s Run, and Dabney’s Mill. In April 1865, the regiment fought at Five Forks and took part in the final pursuit to Appomattox Court House, where its brigade received the arms and flags of the Army of Northern Virginia. The regiment was mustered out in Washington, D.C., on June 1, 1865, with remaining recruits transferred to the 91st Pennsylvania Infantry.

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

  • Antietam (reserve)
  • Blackford’s Ford (Shepherdstown)
  • Fredericksburg
  • Chancellorsville
  • Aldie, Upperville, Middleburg (cavalry support)
  • Gettysburg
  • Mine Run Campaign
  • Wilderness
  • Laurel Hill
  • North Anna River
  • Mechanicsville
  • Bethesda Church
  • Petersburg (siege operations)
  • Weldon Railroad
  • Yellow House
  • Hatcher’s Run
  • Dabney’s Mill
  • Five Forks
  • Appomattox Court House (surrender of Lee’s army)

Casualties

According to official reports, the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry suffered significant losses during its service. At Blackford’s Ford, the regiment lost 282 men in a single engagement. Complete aggregate casualty figures for the entire term are not provided in all sources, but the regiment sustained heavy losses in several major battles, including Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and during the Overland and Petersburg campaigns.

Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel Charles M. Prevost
  • Colonel James Gwyn
  • Lieutenant Colonel James Gwyn
  • Lieutenant Colonel Charles P. Herring
  • Major Charles P. Herring
  • Major Henry O’Neill

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the regiment during its term of service.

To view the complete roster, visit the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

  • Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XIX, XXI, XXV, 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
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