The Civil War in the East

2nd Delaware Infantry Regiment

The 2nd Delaware Infantry Regiment lost 6 officers and 93 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded and 1 officer and 101 enlisted men to disease during the Civil War.

 

It is honored by monuments at Antietam (left), Gettysburg (center) as well as on the State of Delaware monument at Gettysburg (right).

Monument to the 2nd Dealaware Infantry at Antietam monument to the 2nd Delaware Infantry at Gettysburg Delaware State Monument at Gettysburg

1861

June 12 to
October 7

Organized at Wilmington, Delaware under Colonel W. Henry Wharton and Lt. Col. William P. Baily. Four companies were recruited from Maryland and Pennsylvania, with companies B, D and G from Philadelphia and company C from Elkton, Maryland

October 17

Mustered in at Camp Andrews, New Castle

October, 1861

Moved to Baltimore, Md.; Attached to Dix's Command

November 14-22

Expedition through Accomac County

1862

June

Ordered to Join 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Army Corps, Army of the Potomac,
on the Peninsula, Va.

June 25 - July 1

Seven days before Richmond

Colonel Wharton was forced to take medical leave for typhoid fever, and Lieutenant Colonel Baily is eventually also forced to relinquish command for the same reason, leaving Captain David Stricker of Company A in command.

June 27

Savage Station

June 27

Battle of Gaines Mill

June 29

Peach Orchard and Savage Station

June 30

White Oak Swamp and Glendale

July 1

Malvern Hill

July 2 - August 16

At Harrison's Landing

August 16-30

Movement to Fortress Monroe, thence Centreville

August 31 - September 2

Cover Pope's retreat from Bull Run

September 6 - 22

Maryland Campaign

September 15

Sharpsburg

September 16-17

Battle of Antietam
Commanded by Captain David L. Strickler. The regiment lost 12 killed, 44 wounded and 2 missing in fightin around the Sunken Road (Bloody Lane).

 

From the monument: "This regiment of Richardson's reserve brigade crossed Antietam Creek. Advanced with division and came under heavy artillery fire while holding position immediately beyond crest of the ridge. It moved to right and helped repulse counterattack in gap between French and Richardson's divisions. In final assault on Bloody Lane, the regiment crossed here and took possession of Piper Farm buildings until ordered to retire."

September 22 - October 30

Moved to Harper's Ferry and duty there

October 6

Colonel Wharton resigned due to disability from typhoid. Lt. Colonel Baily promoted to colonel effective August 22.

October 16-17

Reconnaissance to Charlestown

October 30 - November 17

Advance up Loudon Valley and movement to Falmouth Va.

December 12-15

Battle of Fredericksburg, Va.

December 16

To April 27, 1863 At Falmouth, Va.

1863

January 20-24

Mud March

April

Attached to 4th Brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Army Corps

April 27-May 6

Chancellorsville Campaign

May 1-5

Battle of Chancellorsville

The regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Strickler.

June 11-July 24

Gettysburg Campaign

July 1-3

Battle of Gettysburg
Colonel William Baily commanded the regiment until he was wounded on July 2nd in heavy fighting near the Wheatfield. Lieutenant Colonel Strickler was also wounded, so Charles Christman then took command. The 2nd brought 280 men to the field and lost 11 killed, 61 wounded and 12 missing. Lieut. H. W. Ottey, Company B, and Lieut. George G. Plank, Company E were both killed on the 2nd. During the fighting Captain Evans of Company A sent in 64 prisoners from the picket line.

July 5-24

Pursuit of Lee to Manassas Gap, Va

July - October

Duty on line of the Rappahannock and Rapidan

September 13-17

Advance from line of the Rappahannock to the Rapidan

October 9-22

Bristoe Campaign

October 14

Auburn and Bristoe

November 7-8

Advance to line of the Rappahannock

November 26 - December 2

Mine Run Campaign

November 29

New Hope Church

November 28-30

Mine Run

1864

May

At and near Stevensburg

February 6-7

Demonstration on the Rapidan

May 3-June 15

Campaign from the Rapidan to the James

May 5-7

Battles of the Wilderness

May 8-12

Spotsylvania

May 10

Po River

May 12-21

Spotsylvania Court House

Lieutenant Colonel Strickler and Captain John Evens were killed in the attack on the "Mule Shoe"

May 12

Assault on the Salient "Bloody Angle"

May 16

Colonel Baily resigned, with division commander Major General Francis Barlow endorsing the request with the underlined notation, "This officer is a coward."

Major Peter McCullough was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

May 23-26

North Anna River

May 26-28

On line of the Pamunkey

May 28-31

Totopotomoy

June 1-12

Cold Harbor

June, 1864

Attached to 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Army Corps

June 16-July 1

Before Petersburg

June 22-23

Jerusalem Plank Road, Weldon R. R.

July I

Mustered out, expiration of term. Veterans and Recruits transferred to 1st Delaware Infantry