184th Pennsylvania Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 184th Pennsylvania Infantry (Union Army, Infantry) was organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, during the spring and summer of 1864. The regiment served in the Army of the Potomac, primarily within the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Corps, and participated in several major campaigns in the Eastern Theater during the final year of the Civil War. The regiment was composed of companies mustered for both three-year and one-year terms of service.

The 184th Pennsylvania Infantry is noted for its heavy engagement and losses during the Overland Campaign and the Siege of Petersburg, as well as its participation in the final pursuit of Confederate forces leading to the surrender at Appomattox.

Organization & Service

The 184th Pennsylvania Infantry was recruited from across the state and assembled at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg. Seven companies (A–G) were mustered into United States service in May 1864 for a three years’ term. These companies departed Pennsylvania on May 14, 1864, under the command of Major Charles Kleckner, joining the Army of the Potomac as it crossed the Pamunkey River. The regiment was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Corps.

The regiment first saw action at Cold Harbor in June 1864, where it led its brigade in two assaults and suffered significant casualties. It then participated in the initial assaults on Petersburg, incurring further losses, including a large number of men taken prisoner. During its first 25 days at the front, the regiment lost 350 out of 500 men, including 12 officers, due to battle casualties and captures. Some prisoners died at Andersonville, Salisbury, and Florence, while others died of wounds at Petersburg.

In July 1864, the regiment fought at Deep Bottom and Strawberry Plains, again suffering losses. It was engaged at Reams’ Station, where Lieutenant Colonel Kleckner was severely wounded. The regiment remained in the trenches before Petersburg through October 1864, during which time the remaining three companies (H, I, and K) were mustered in for one year’s service and joined the regiment in early October. Late in October, the regiment fought at Hatcher’s Run and then resumed trench duty between Forts Haskell and Stedman, exposed to enemy sharpshooters.

In February 1865, the 184th was engaged at Dabney’s Mill and remained in the field until the final campaign began in late March. The regiment participated in the assault on Petersburg on April 2, 1865, with relatively light losses, and then joined the pursuit of Confederate forces, culminating in the surrender at Appomattox. The regiment returned to Washington, D.C., and took part in the Grand Review on May 23, 1865. Companies H, I, and K (one-year men) were mustered out on June 2, 1865, at Munson’s Hill, Virginia, while the original companies (A–G) were mustered out near Washington on July 14, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Cold Harbor (June 1864)
• Initial assaults on Petersburg (June 1864)
• Deep Bottom (July 1864)
• Strawberry Plains (July 1864)
• Reams’ Station (August 1864)
• Siege of Petersburg (June 1864 – April 1865)
• Hatcher’s Run (October 1864)
• Dabney’s Mill (February 1865)
• Assault on Petersburg (April 2, 1865)
• Appomattox Campaign (March–April 1865)

Casualties

At Cold Harbor, the regiment lost 16 killed and 94 wounded. In the initial assaults on Petersburg, it suffered 52 killed and wounded, with 115 men taken prisoner. During its first 25 days at the front, the regiment lost 350 out of 500 men, including 12 officers, killed, wounded, or captured. At Deep Bottom and Strawberry Plains, 27 were killed and wounded out of 97 engaged. At Hatcher’s Run, 15 were killed and wounded. Some prisoners died at Andersonville, Salisbury, and Florence, and others died of wounds at Petersburg. Complete aggregate casualty figures are not available in surviving primary sources.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel John H. Stover (assumed command January 1, 1865)
• Lieutenant Colonel Charles Kleckner (severely wounded at Reams’ Station)
• Major Charles Kleckner
• Major George L. Ritman

Regimental Roster

The full roster of the 184th Pennsylvania Infantry, including officers and enlisted men who served during its term, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides details on enlistment, service, and mustering out for each company.

To view the complete roster, visit the 184th Pennsylvania Infantry Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. 36, 40, 42, 46
• 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