150th Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 150th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in Pennsylvania for service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Known as one of the “Bucktail” regiments, it was mustered in at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, in late August 1862. The regiment drew companies from Philadelphia, Crawford, Union, and McKean counties. It served primarily in the Eastern Theater and was noted for its distinguished service, particularly at the Battle of Gettysburg.

The 150th Pennsylvania Infantry was attached to various brigades and divisions within the Army of the Potomac and later the Army of the James. Company K of the regiment was detailed as President Abraham Lincoln’s bodyguard for much of its service, alternating between the Soldiers’ Home and the White House.

Organization & Service

The 150th Pennsylvania Infantry was organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, and mustered into United States service for three years in late August 1862. The regiment was composed of men from Philadelphia (Companies A, B, E, F), Crawford County (C, H, I, K), Union County (D), and McKean County (G). The organization was completed on September 4, 1862, under Colonel Langhorn Wister, with officers and men drawn from previous military experience and new recruits.

After organization, the regiment moved to Washington, D.C., and performed guard duty in and around the capital until February 1863. Company K was detailed for special duty as President Lincoln’s bodyguard, serving at the Soldiers’ Home and the White House for the duration of its term. In February 1863, the regiment joined the Army of the Potomac at Belle Plain, Virginia, and was assigned to Stone’s (2nd) Brigade, Doubleday’s (3rd) Division, Reynolds’ (1st) Corps.

The 150th Pennsylvania was present but not actively engaged at Chancellorsville. At Gettysburg, it was heavily engaged on July 1, 1863, suffering significant casualties and losing its regimental flag during the retreat through the town. The flag was later recovered among the effects of Jefferson Davis in 1865. The regiment was held in reserve on July 2 and exposed to artillery fire on July 3. After Gettysburg, the regiment participated in the pursuit of Confederate forces and performed railroad guard duty at Warrenton Junction from November 1863 until after the Mine Run Campaign, then wintered at Paoli Mills and Culpeper.

In the spring of 1864, the regiment was reinforced and entered the Overland Campaign, assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, 5th Corps. It fought at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomy, Cold Harbor, and Bethesda Church. On June 6, 1864, it was transferred to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Corps, and participated in the assault on Petersburg and subsequent operations, including the Jerusalem Plank Road, Weldon Railroad raids, Fort Dushane, Hatcher’s Run, and Dabney’s Mill. In February 1865, the regiment was relieved from the front and sent to Elmira, New York, to guard Confederate prisoners. The 150th Pennsylvania Infantry was mustered out at Elmira on June 23, 1865, with Company K mustered out earlier at Harrisburg on June 15, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Guard duty, Washington, D.C. (1862–1863)
• Chancellorsville Campaign (May 1863; present, not engaged)
• Gettysburg Campaign (June–July 1863; Battle of Gettysburg, July 1–3, 1863)
• Pursuit of Lee (July 1863)
• Railroad guard duty at Warrenton Junction (Nov 1863–Dec 1863)
• Mine Run Campaign (Nov–Dec 1863)
• Overland Campaign (May–June 1864): Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Laurel Hill, North Anna, Totopotomy, Cold Harbor, Bethesda Church
• Siege of Petersburg (June 1864–Feb 1865): Assault on Petersburg, Jerusalem Plank Road, Weldon Railroad, Fort Dushane, Hatcher’s Run, Dabney’s Mill
• Guard duty at Elmira, New York (Feb–June 1865)

Casualties

• Total enrollment: 1,039
• Killed or died of wounds: 112
• Died of disease or in prison: 95
• Total losses at Gettysburg: 264 (out of 17 officers and about 400 men engaged; 2 officers killed, 10 wounded, 4 captured or missing)

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Langhorn Wister
• Colonel Henry S. Huidekoper
• Colonel George W. Jones
• Lieutenant Colonel Henry S. Huidekoper
• Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Chamberlin
• Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius C. Widdis
• Lieutenant Colonel George W. Jones
• Lieutenant Colonel John W. Sigler
• Major Thomas Chamberlin
• Major Cornelius C. Widdis
• Major George W. Jones
• Major Benjamin F. Topham

Regimental Roster

The complete roster of soldiers who served in the 150th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster includes names, ranks, and company assignments for all known members of the regiment.

To view the full roster, visit the 150th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. 27, 36, 39, 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, Vol. 1 (Federal Publishing Company, 1908)