147th Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 147th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment from Pennsylvania that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was organized at Loudoun Heights, Virginia, on October 10, 1862, and served primarily in the Eastern and Western Theaters. Its companies were formed from both transferred and newly recruited men, and the regiment participated in several major campaigns and battles, including Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and the Atlanta Campaign.

The 147th Pennsylvania Infantry was attached to various brigades and divisions, notably serving in the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 12th Corps, and later with the Army of the Cumberland. The regiment mustered out of service near Washington, D.C., on July 15, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 147th Pennsylvania Infantry was organized at Loudoun Heights, Virginia, on October 10, 1862. Companies A, B, C, D, and E were originally Companies L, M, N, O, and P of the 28th Pennsylvania Infantry and were transferred to the new regiment in September 1862. Companies F, G, and H were mustered in at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, between August 22 and November 20, 1862, for a three-year term. Company I was organized at Philadelphia on October 10, 1863, and Company K was formed in February 1864 from non-reenlisted men of the first five companies. Company K was disbanded in March 1864, with its members reassigned to other companies.

Initially commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ario Pardee, Jr., and Major John Craig, the regiment moved from the vicinity of Harper’s Ferry to Fairfax Court House shortly after the Battle of Fredericksburg. It participated in Burnside’s “Mud March” in January 1863 and was stationed at Aquia Creek Landing until the Chancellorsville Campaign. As part of Col. Candy’s 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 12th Corps, the regiment fought at Chancellorsville, suffering significant casualties. At Gettysburg, the regiment arrived on July 1, 1863, and was positioned on Culp’s Hill for the remainder of the battle.

Following Gettysburg, the regiment received 160 drafted men and, with the 11th and 12th Corps, moved west to join the Army of the Cumberland. It participated in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and the pursuit to Ringgold, then wintered at Wauhatchie. On December 29, 1863, a majority of the regiment reenlisted and received veteran furloughs. Additional recruits joined during the winter, and in May 1864, the regiment joined Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign, engaging at Dug Gap, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, and Peachtree Creek. The regiment continued with Sherman’s March to the Sea and the Carolinas Campaign. After Johnston’s surrender in April 1865, the regiment moved to the vicinity of Washington, D.C., and was mustered out on July 15, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Burnside’s “Mud March” (January 1863)
• Chancellorsville Campaign (May 1863)
• Battle of Chancellorsville
• Gettysburg Campaign (July 1863)
• Battle of Gettysburg
• Lookout Mountain
• Missionary Ridge
• Ringgold
• Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864): Dug Gap, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek
• March to the Sea (November–December 1864)
• Carolinas Campaign (early 1865)

Casualties

At Chancellorsville, the regiment lost 94 killed, wounded, and missing, including 3 officers killed and 4 wounded. At Gettysburg, losses were 5 killed and 15 wounded. Complete aggregate casualty figures for the entire service term are not fully detailed in available primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Ario Pardee, Jr.
• Colonel John Craig
• Lieutenant Colonel Ario Pardee, Jr.
• Lieutenant Colonel John Craig
• Major John Craig
• Major William J. Mackey

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 147th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides details on enlistment, rank, and service records for each member of the regiment.

To view the complete roster, visit the 147th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, various volumes and parts (Army of the Potomac, Army of the Cumberland, Army of Georgia)
• Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report
• Dyer, Frederick H. 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