Overview
The 207th Pennsylvania Infantry (One Year’s Service) was an infantry regiment raised from the counties of Tioga, Clinton, Cumberland, Franklin, Lycoming, Bradford, York, and Lancaster. Organized at Camp Curtin in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the regiment entered United States service in late August and early September 1864 for a one-year term. The unit served in the Union Army, primarily in the Eastern Theater, and participated in the final campaigns against Petersburg and the Army of Northern Virginia.
The 207th Pennsylvania Infantry was noted for its role in the assault on Petersburg on April 2, 1865, where it distinguished itself by planting its colors on a key Confederate fortification. The regiment was mustered out in May 1865 after the surrender of Lee’s army.
Organization & Service
The 207th Pennsylvania Infantry was organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, with men recruited from several central and southern Pennsylvania counties. The regiment was mustered into Federal service during the latter part of August and early September 1864 for a one-year enlistment. Colonel Robert C. Cox commanded the regiment, with Lieutenant Colonel W. W. S. Snoddy and Major Victor A. Elliott as principal field officers.
On September 12, 1864, the regiment departed for the front and arrived at City Point, Virginia, on September 16. Initially, it was assigned to picket duty with the Army of the James on the Bermuda Hundred front. On November 17, 1864, the regiment’s picket line was attacked, resulting in 2 killed and several wounded during the engagement.
Subsequently, the 207th was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 9th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, and stationed near Fort Prescott along the Army Line railroad. In February 1865, the regiment participated in the movement to Hatcher’s Run but was not actively engaged in combat. On March 25, 1865, at the Battle of Fort Stedman, the regiment lost 1 killed and 16 wounded.
On April 2, 1865, the 207th Pennsylvania Infantry took part in the final assault on Petersburg, forming in front of Fort Sedgwick. The regiment was among the first to enter the Confederate works, planting its colors on the fort commanding the Jerusalem Plank Road. In this action, the regiment suffered significant casualties: 37 killed, 140 wounded, and 8 missing. Afterward, the regiment helped secure the South Side Railroad, advanced as far as Burkesville, and was engaged in picket duty and the paroling of prisoners following Lee’s surrender. The regiment returned to Alexandria and was mustered out on May 13, 1865, with remaining recruits transferred to the 51st Pennsylvania Infantry.
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
- Picket duty, Bermuda Hundred front (September–November 1864)
- Engagement on picket line, November 17, 1864
- Movement to Hatcher’s Run (February 1865)
- Battle of Fort Stedman (March 25, 1865)
- Assault on Petersburg (April 2, 1865)
- Advance to Burkesville and post-surrender duties (April–May 1865)
Casualties
- November 17, 1864 (Bermuda Hundred): 2 killed, several wounded
- March 25, 1865 (Fort Stedman): 1 killed, 16 wounded
- April 2, 1865 (Assault on Petersburg): 37 killed, 140 wounded, 8 missing (total 185)
Total losses for the regiment during its service are not fully detailed in all sources, but the above figures reflect the principal recorded casualties in major actions.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel Robert C. Cox
- Lieutenant Colonel W. W. S. Snoddy
- Major Victor A. Elliott
Regimental Roster
The complete roster of the 207th Pennsylvania Infantry (One Year’s Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details for members of the regiment.
To view the full roster, visit the 207th Pennsylvania Infantry (One Year’s Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. XLII, XLVI
- Pennsylvania Adjutant General’s Report, 1865
- 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, Vol. 1