Overview
The 119th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during August 1862. Serving in the Union Army, it was mustered in for a three-year term and participated primarily in the Eastern Theater. The regiment was attached to the Army of the Potomac and later served in the Shenandoah Valley and at Petersburg. The 119th Pennsylvania was noted for its service in several major campaigns and battles, including Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, and the final Appomattox Campaign.
Organization & Service
The 119th Pennsylvania Infantry began organizing in Philadelphia in August 1862. Before its ranks were fully filled, the regiment was ordered to Washington, D.C., where an additional company was added. The regiment was mustered into U.S. service for three years and, in October 1862, joined the Army of the Potomac near Antietam. It was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 6th Corps.
The regiment first saw combat at the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862. After wintering at White Oak Church, it was reassigned to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, and participated in the Chancellorsville Campaign, including the engagement at Salem Church. The 119th Pennsylvania supported cavalry at Beverly Ford during the Gettysburg Campaign and arrived at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, but was not actively engaged in the battle. Following Gettysburg, the regiment received 205 substitutes at Warrenton.
In November 1863, the regiment took part in the assault at Rappahannock Station and was commended for its actions. After the Mine Run Campaign, the regiment wintered near Brandy Station. In May 1864, the 119th Pennsylvania fought in the Wilderness and at Spotsylvania, suffering significant casualties. The regiment also saw heavy losses at Cold Harbor and participated in the initial Petersburg operations. In July 1864, it was sent to defend Washington, D.C., against Confederate General Early’s threat and took part in the Shenandoah Valley operations, including the Battle of Opequon. The regiment was posted at Winchester before returning to Petersburg in December 1864.
In 1865, the 119th Pennsylvania participated in the engagement at Dabney’s Mill, the final assault on Petersburg, and the Battle of Sailor’s Creek. It was present at the surrender of Lee’s army at Appomattox and subsequently moved to Danville, Virginia, before returning to Washington and Philadelphia. The regiment was mustered out on June 19, 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
- Fredericksburg (December 1862)
- Chancellorsville and Salem Church (May 1863)
- Beverly Ford (June 1863)
- Gettysburg Campaign (July 1863; arrived July 2, not engaged)
- Rappahannock Station (November 1863)
- Mine Run Campaign (November–December 1863)
- Wilderness (May 1864)
- Spotsylvania (May 1864)
- Cold Harbor (June 1864)
- Petersburg Operations (June–July 1864)
- Defense of Washington, D.C. (July 1864)
- Shenandoah Valley Campaign, including Opequon (September 1864)
- Dabney’s Mill (February 1865)
- Final Assault on Petersburg (April 2, 1865)
- Sailor’s Creek (April 1865)
- Appomattox Campaign and Lee’s Surrender (April 1865)
Casualties
According to available sources, the 119th Pennsylvania Infantry suffered significant losses in several campaigns. Exact figures for killed, wounded, and died of disease are not fully detailed in all reports. Fox’s Regimental Losses and the Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s reports should be consulted for specific numbers.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel Peter C. Ellmaker
- Colonel Gideon Clark
- Lieutenant Colonel Gideon Clark
- Lieutenant Colonel William C. Gray
- Major Charles C. Knight
- Major Henry P. Truefitt
- Major William C. Gray
- Major Edwin A. Landell
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 119th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and service details for those who served in the regiment.
To view the complete roster, visit the 119th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes XIX, XXV, XXXVI, XXXIX, XLVI
- Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report, 1865
- 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