Overview
The 210th Pennsylvania Infantry (One Year’s Service) was an infantry regiment organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, during the late summer of 1864. Composed of men from Dauphin, Columbia, Schuylkill, Potter, Mifflin, Bradford, Franklin, and Centre counties, the regiment entered Federal service between August 25 and September 24, 1864, for a term of one year. The unit served in the Army of the Potomac, primarily in the Eastern Theater, and participated in several significant operations during the closing months of the Civil War.
Many of the regiment’s officers and men were veterans of earlier service, including Colonel William Sergeant, formerly of the 12th U.S. Infantry, and Lieutenant Colonel Edward L. Witman, previously a captain in the 46th Pennsylvania Infantry. The 210th Pennsylvania Infantry was notable for its active participation in the final campaigns around Petersburg and its presence at the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia.
Organization & Service
The 210th Pennsylvania Infantry was organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, and mustered into United States service from August 25 to September 24, 1864. Upon completion of organization, the regiment was promptly sent to the front and joined the Army of the Potomac before Petersburg, Virginia. It was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 5th Army Corps.
The regiment saw its first action at Hatcher’s Run in October 1864, sustaining slight losses. In December, it participated in the Weldon Railroad expedition, where the men suffered greatly from exposure and cold, resulting in numerous cases of sickness and death. In February 1865, the 210th was engaged at Dabney’s Mill, where it incurred considerable casualties. During the spring campaign of 1865, the regiment was heavily engaged from March 29 to April 1 at Quaker Road, Gravelly Run, Boydton Road, and Five Forks. At Five Forks, Colonel Sergeant was mortally wounded, as were Adjutant Schlesinger and Captain Hughes. The regiment then joined in the pursuit of Confederate forces following the fall of Petersburg and was present at Appomattox Court House for the surrender of General Lee’s army.
After the cessation of hostilities, the 210th Pennsylvania Infantry returned to the vicinity of Washington, D.C., participated in the Grand Review, and was mustered out at Alexandria, Virginia, on May 30, 1865. Remaining recruits were transferred to the 51st Pennsylvania Infantry and served with that regiment until their final muster out on July 28, 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
- Hatcher’s Run (October 1864)
- Weldon Railroad Expedition (December 1864)
- Dabney’s Mill (February 1865)
- Quaker Road (March 29, 1865)
- Gravelly Run
- Boydton Road
- Five Forks (April 1, 1865)
- Pursuit of Lee and Appomattox Campaign
Casualties
During its service, the 210th Pennsylvania Infantry suffered the following losses in the spring campaign of 1865: 35 killed, 115 wounded, and 150 missing. Additional losses occurred due to disease and exposure, particularly during the Weldon Railroad expedition. Comprehensive total loss figures for the entire term are not fully detailed in available primary sources.
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel William Sergeant (mortally wounded at Five Forks)
- Colonel Edward L. Witman
- Lieutenant Colonel Edward L. Witman
- Major Henry E. Munson
- Major James H. Graves
- Major Sol. B. Bowerman
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 210th Pennsylvania Infantry (One Year’s Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. This roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details where available.
To view the complete roster, visit the 210th Pennsylvania Infantry Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. XLVI, Part 1–3
- Pennsylvania State 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)