Overview
The 186th Pennsylvania Infantry (Infantry, Three Years’ Service) was a Union regiment organized in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The regiment was mustered into United States service between January 29 and May 31, 1864, for a term of three years. It served exclusively in the Department of the East, performing provost (military police) duties in Philadelphia throughout its entire period of service. The regiment did not participate in field operations or campaigns outside the city.
This unit was commanded by Colonel Henry A. Frink, who had previously served as major and lieutenant-colonel of the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry.
Organization & Service
The 186th Pennsylvania Infantry was recruited in Philadelphia and mustered into service at various dates from January 29 to May 31, 1864. Upon organization, the regiment was assigned to provost duty in Philadelphia, where it was responsible for maintaining order, guarding military facilities, and overseeing prisoners and deserters. The regiment remained stationed in Philadelphia for the duration of its service and was not attached to any field army or corps operating in the principal theaters of the war.
The 186th Pennsylvania Infantry continued its provost duties until the end of the Civil War. It was mustered out of service at Philadelphia on August 15, 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
The 186th Pennsylvania Infantry did not participate in any field campaigns or battles. Its service was limited to provost duty in Philadelphia.
Casualties
Specific casualty figures for the 186th Pennsylvania Infantry are not detailed in available primary sources. As the regiment did not serve in the field, losses would have been limited to non-combat causes.
Some details are incomplete in surviving primary sources.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel Henry A. Frink
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 186th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available on the regiment’s roster page. This resource provides names, ranks, and additional service details valuable for genealogical research.
To view the complete roster, visit the 186th Pennsylvania Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
- Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report
- Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
- Federal Publishing Company, The Union Army, Vol. 1 (1908)