136th Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 136th Pennsylvania Infantry (Nine Months’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in August 1862. Composed of volunteers from Allegheny, Tioga, Luzerne, Dauphin, Crawford, Centre, Columbia, and Cambria counties, the regiment served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Its service was primarily in the Eastern Theater, where it participated in major campaigns of the Army of the Potomac.

This regiment was mustered in for a nine-month term and is distinct from any Pennsylvania regiments of other service terms.

Organization & Service

The 136th Pennsylvania Infantry (Nine Months’ Service) was mustered into United States service at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, in August 1862. Shortly after organization, the regiment was sent to Washington, D.C., arriving while the Second Battle of Bull Run was in progress. The unit was stationed in the defenses of Washington until late September 1862.

At the end of September, the regiment moved to Sharpsburg, Maryland, where it was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 1st Corps, Army of the Potomac. In early November, the regiment advanced into Virginia, marching through Warrenton, Brooks’ Station, and White Oak Church to Falmouth. The 136th Pennsylvania played a significant role at the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862, serving in Lyle’s Brigade, Gibbon’s Division, 1st Corps, Franklin’s Grand Division, on the left of the Union line. The regiment suffered considerable losses in this engagement.

Following Fredericksburg, the regiment returned to its camp, remaining there with the exception of participation in Burnside’s “Mud March” in January 1863. During the Chancellorsville Campaign, the regiment took position on the extreme right of the Union line on the night of May 2, 1863, constructing breastworks and holding its position for the remainder of the battle. Upon completion of its nine-month term, the 136th Pennsylvania Infantry returned to Harrisburg and was mustered out of service on May 29, 1863.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Defenses of Washington, D.C. (August–September 1862)
• Advance to Sharpsburg, Maryland (September 1862)
• March to Falmouth, Virginia (November 1862)
• Battle of Fredericksburg (December 12–15, 1862)
• Burnside’s “Mud March” (January 1863)
• Chancellorsville Campaign (April–May 1863)
• Battle of Chancellorsville (May 1–5, 1863)

Casualties

At the Battle of Fredericksburg, the regiment suffered a total of 140 killed, wounded, and missing. Captain Chapman was killed and Captain Marchand mortally wounded in this action. Complete casualty figures for the entire term of service are not specified in all primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Thomas M. Bayne
• Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Wright
• Major Charles Ryan
• Captain Chapman (killed at Fredericksburg)
• Captain Marchand (mortally wounded at Fredericksburg)

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 136th Pennsylvania Infantry (Nine Months’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details as recorded in official state and federal records.

To view the complete roster, visit the 136th Pennsylvania Infantry (Nine Months’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. 21, 25
• Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report, 1862–1863
• 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