142nd Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 142nd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 1862. Serving in the Union Army, it was mustered into United States service between August 22 and September 1, 1862, for a term of three years. The regiment participated in major campaigns of the Army of the Potomac and was noted for its heavy losses in several key battles, including Fredericksburg and Gettysburg.

The 142nd Pennsylvania Infantry was composed of men recruited from across the state. It served primarily in the Eastern Theater and was attached to various brigades and divisions within the I and V Corps. The regiment mustered out near Washington, D.C., on May 29, 1865.

Organization & Service

The regiment was organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, and mustered into Federal service between August 22 and September 1, 1862. Shortly after, on September 2, it departed for Washington, D.C., and was employed for about a month on fortification work and in guard and hospital duty at Frederick, Maryland.

In October 1862, the 142nd was assigned to the 2nd Brigade (under Col. Magilton), 3rd Division (Gen. Meade), 1st Corps (Gen. Reynolds), and moved to Brooks’ Station on the Acquia Creek Railroad. The regiment saw its first major action at the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862, where it suffered significant casualties, including the mortal wounding of Major John Bradley.

After wintering at Belle Plain Landing, the regiment participated in the “Mud March” in January 1863. It was then assigned to the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 1st Corps, commanded by Col. Porter and later Gen. Rowley. At Chancellorsville in May 1863, the regiment was on the right of the Union line but was not heavily engaged.

During the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, the regiment was part of Col. Biddle’s brigade, Gen. Rowley’s division, and the 1st Corps. On the first day, Col. Robert P. Cummins was killed, and the regiment suffered severe losses. It was in reserve on the second day and exposed to artillery fire on the third, but with fewer casualties.

Following Gettysburg, the 142nd participated in the Mine Run Campaign and wintered near Culpeper, Virginia. In 1864, it was assigned to Stone’s Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Corps, and fought in the Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spotsylvania, North Anna River, Bethesda Church, Totopotomy, Cold Harbor, and the initial assaults on Petersburg. The regiment assisted in constructing “Fort Hell” and was engaged at Six-Mile House, Peebles’ Farm, the Weldon Railroad raid, and Dabney’s Mill.

In the final campaign of 1865, the regiment fought at Boydton and White Oak Roads and at Five Forks, where Col. Horatio N. Warren and Major Henry G. Elder were wounded. After Lee’s surrender, the regiment moved to Burkesville and then to the vicinity of Washington, D.C., where it was mustered out on May 29, 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)
  • “Mud March” (January 1863)
  • Chancellorsville (May 1863)
  • Gettysburg (July 1863)
  • Mine Run Campaign (Fall 1863)
  • Wilderness (May 1864)
  • Laurel Hill
  • Spotsylvania
  • North Anna River
  • Bethesda Church
  • Totopotomy
  • Cold Harbor
  • First assaults on Petersburg
  • Six-Mile House
  • Peebles’ Farm
  • Weldon Railroad Raid (December 1864)
  • Dabney’s Mill (February 1865)
  • Boydton and White Oak Roads (March–April 1865)
  • Five Forks (April 1865)

Casualties

At Fredericksburg, the regiment lost 243 men killed, wounded, or missing. At Gettysburg, losses included 3 officers killed, 11 wounded, 2 missing; 10 men killed, 117 wounded, and 68 captured or missing, totaling 211. Additional losses occurred in later campaigns, notably at the Wilderness and Five Forks. Comprehensive total casualty figures are not fully detailed in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

  • Colonel Robert P. Cummins (killed at Gettysburg)
  • Colonel Alfred B. McCalmont
  • Colonel Horatio N. Warren (wounded at Five Forks)
  • Lieutenant Colonel Alfred B. McCalmont
  • Lieutenant Colonel Horatio N. Warren
  • Major John Bradley (mortally wounded at Fredericksburg)
  • Major Horatio N. Warren
  • Major Henry G. Elder (wounded at Five Forks)

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 142nd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details where available.

To view the complete roster, visit the 142nd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

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