143rd Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 143rd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Pennsylvania for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was primarily recruited from Luzerne County, with Companies H and K drawn from Susquehanna, Wyoming, and Lycoming counties. Mustered into service at Wilkes Barre between August 26 and September 10, 1862, the regiment served in the Eastern Theater and participated in several major campaigns and battles, including Gettysburg and the Overland Campaign.

The 143rd Pennsylvania Infantry was known for its steadfastness under fire, particularly at Gettysburg, where it suffered significant casualties. The regiment was armed with Enfield rifles and served in various brigades and divisions within the Army of the Potomac.

Organization & Service

The 143rd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was organized at Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, and mustered into United States service from August 26 to September 10, 1862. Colonel Edmund L. Dana, a veteran of the Mexican War and a major-general of militia, commanded the regiment. After mustering, the regiment moved to Washington, D.C., in November 1862, receiving arms at Harrisburg en route. It was stationed near Fort Slocum for three months before moving to Belle Plain, Virginia, where it was assigned to the 2nd Brigade (Col. Stone), 3rd Division (Gen. Doubleday), 1st Corps (Gen. Reynolds) of the Army of the Potomac.

The regiment participated in the Chancellorsville Campaign, though it was not heavily engaged. At Gettysburg, the 143rd arrived on July 1, 1863, and was heavily engaged on the first day, suffering significant losses. After Gettysburg, the regiment performed guard duty at Bealeton Station and received over 360 recruits in the fall of 1863. It participated in maneuvers in the Valley of Virginia, skirmished at Haymarket, and performed railroad guard duty at Manassas before wintering at Culpeper.

In the spring of 1864, the regiment was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Corps, and took part in the Overland Campaign, including the Wilderness, Laurel Hill, North Anna River, Totopotomy, and Cold Harbor. The regiment was engaged in the initial assaults on Petersburg and worked on the construction of Fort Hell. It later fought at the Weldon Railroad, Hatcher’s Run, and Dabney’s Mill. In early 1865, the regiment was detailed for special duty at Hart’s Island, New York Harbor, where it remained until mustered out on June 12, 1865. The men were paid and discharged at Harrisburg. Colonel Dana was brevetted brigadier-general and mustered out in August 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Chancellorsville Campaign (May 1863)
• Gettysburg Campaign (June–July 1863)
• Battle of Gettysburg (July 1–3, 1863)
• Skirmish at Haymarket (November 1863)
• Overland Campaign (May–June 1864): Wilderness, Laurel Hill, North Anna River, Totopotomy, Cold Harbor
• Siege of Petersburg (June 1864–April 1865): Assaults on Petersburg, construction of Fort Hell, Weldon Railroad, Six-mile House
• Movement on Vaughan Road (September 1864)
• Hatcher’s Run (October and December 1864)
• Destruction of Weldon Railroad (December 1864)
• Dabney’s Mill (February 1865)

Casualties

At Gettysburg, the 143rd Pennsylvania Infantry suffered 253 killed, wounded, and missing out of 465 engaged. Total losses for the regiment during its service are not fully detailed in all sources, but the Gettysburg losses represent more than half its effective strength at that battle. Additional casualties occurred during the Overland Campaign and at Petersburg.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Edmund L. Dana
• Lieutenant Colonel George E. Hoyt
• Lieutenant Colonel John D. Musser
• Lieutenant Colonel George N. Richard
• Major John D. Musser
• Major C. M. Conyngham
• Major Chester H. Hughes

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 143rd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and company assignments for those who served in the regiment.

To view the complete roster, visit the 143rd Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 25, 27, 36, 40, 46
• 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