Organization of the Regiment:

• Company A – Centre County – Captain Joseph M. Green
• Company B – Chester County – Captain George F. Smith
• Company C – Huntingdon County – Captain John B. Miles
• Company D – Huntingdon County – Captain James D. Campbell
• Company E – Mifflin County – Captain Henry A. Zollinger
• Company F – Chester County – Captain Benjamin H. Sweeney
• Company G – Centre County – Captain John Boal
• Company H – Mifflin County – Captain Ralph L. Maclay
• Company I – Juniata County – Captain Calvin De Witt
• Company K – Mifflin County – Captain John F. Reynolds

Peninsula Campaign

Landed at Newport News and marched for Yorktown.

Siege of Yorktown

Engaged in picket duty, digging rifle  pits, and constructing corduroy road on the left bank of Warwick River.

Battle of Williamsburg

At midmorning Hancock’s Brigade advanced against Fort Magruder on the Confederate left flank. The fort opened fire with artillery, followed by an attack by Early’s Brigade. Hancock ordered his line to retreat by alternate battalions around one hundred yards before turning and halting Early’s advance with heavy volley fire. The brigade then charged, scattering the Confederates. Nearly three hundred prisoners were gathered. Casualties were light. Both Generals Hancock and McClellan praised Colonel Irwin and the regiment for its conduct.

Seven days before Richmond

Garnett’s Farm

Posted on Garnett’s Hill under heavy artillery fire, repelling an attack at sundown.

Golding’s Farm

Relieved and moved to Golding’s Farm, where fighting continued. The regiment lost 10 killed and 23 wounded in fighting on the 27th & 28th

Savage Station

The regiment moved to Savage Station and went into line along the railroad. It was with the rearguard of the army, which was haphazardly withdrawing south. McClellan had abandoned the army leaving no overall commander in charge of the retreating men. The Confederates attacked at sunset but were driven back, and the regiment withdrew across White Oak Swamp.

White Oak Swamp Bridge

The regiment was under artillery fire but was not engaged as it withdrew to Malvern Hill.

Malvern Hill

The regiment went into line on the right flank of the army but was not engaged. It withdrew that night to Harrison’s Landing.

At Harrison’s Landing

At one point 60% of the regiment was on the sick list.

Second Battle of Bull Run (Second Manassas)

Assisted in checking Pope’s rout.

Maryland Campaign

Crampton’s Pass, South Mountain

The regiment bivouacked in Pleasant Valley.

Battle of Antietam

The 49th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Willliam Brisbane while Colonel William Irwin commanded the 3rd Brigade.

From the War Department marker for Smith’s Division at Antietam:

Smith’s Division left camp between Crampton’s Pass and Rohrersville in Pleasant Valley at 5:30 A.M. of the 17th, crossed the Antietam at Pry’s Ford and arrived at the front about noon. Hancock’s Brigade was put in position on the left of Sedgwick’s Division of the Second Corps, its right near the Poffenberger Lane, its left extending in front of and parallel to the East Woods, Irwin’s Brigade advancing took cover behind the ridge south of the Smoketown Road and in front of the Church… The Division remained in position with some slight changes until the morning of the 19th, when it advanced and ascertained that the Confederates had recrossed the Potomac.

The regiment held its assigned location under an artillery fire that killed and wounded several men, but it was not engaged, was never ordered forward, and did not fire a singal shot in the battle.

Drummer Charles Edwin King of Company F was mortally wounded, shot through the torso. At the age of 13 years, 5 months, 17 days, he was the youngest documented soldier to be killed in the Civil War.

Battle of Fredericksburg

The regiment crossed the Rappahannock on the 13th and supported Federal batteries on Franklin’s flank. It was under fire ut was not engaged. They returned across the river on the 16th and camped near White Oak Church.

“Mud March”

Chancellorsville Campaign

Operations at Franklin’s Crossing

Maryes Heights (Second Fredericksburg)

The 49th advanced to the plain to the east of Fredericksburg. It remained there three hours under a heavy artillery fire until marching through Fredericksburg and up the Plank Road to Fairview Farm, where it deployed in skirmish line.

Salem Church

The regiment fought on the skirmish line, throwing back two enemy assaults. A third assault at dusk was successful, and the 49th fell back to a defensive line around Bank’s Ford.

Banks’ Ford

The regiment recrossed the Rappahannock.

At White Oak Church

Deep Run Ravine

The 49th again crossed the Rappahannock on a pontoon bridge at Deep Run, where it occupied rifle pits in support of a scouting raid by Federal cavalry. They recrossed on the  11th when the cavalry returned from it’s scout.

Gettysburg Campaign

Battle of Gettysburg

Very late on July 1 the regiment learned of the disastrous first day at Gettysburg and was ordered to march north to Gettysburg “with all possible dispatch.” The men moved out at first light on July 2 at the quick step (180 rather than 120 steps per minute) and reached the field at 2 p.m. They were deployed behind the Fifth Corps.

The 49th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment was commanded at Gettysburg by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas M. Hulings. It brought 318 men to the field in four companies (A-D).

On July 3 the regiment was formed in line from Round Top to Taneytown Road, perpendicular to the main line of battle and protecting its flank, roughly where the regiment’s monument is located today. The men were under a heavy artillery fire which was overshooting the main Federal lines, but the regiment suffered no casualties.

On July 4 Company was sent out as sirmishers to the Devil’s Den.

From the monument to the 49th Pennsylvania at Gettysburg:

The regiment made a continuous march from Manchester Md. arriving on the field the afternoon of July 2. Occupied this position in reserve from the morning of the 3rd until the enemy’s assault in the afternoon when it moved to support centre thence to Round Top.

Bristoe Campaign

The regiment lost three men to guerillas.

Rappahannock Station

The regiment and its brigade carried the enemy earthworks in a bayonet charge at sundown which captured over 1600 prisoners from Hayes’ Louisiana and Hoke’s North Carolina brigades while losing 3 men killed and 27 wounded. Captain Hutchinson and Lieutenant Stuart were wounded.

From General Sedgwick’s order of conglatulation:

“The enemy was attacked in an intrenched position of great strength, in enclosed works defended by artillery and infantry, and compelled to surrender after a sharp conflict, to an assaulting column actually inferior in numbers to the force defending the works. Four pieces of artillery, four caissons filled with ammunition, the enemy’s pontoon bridge, eight battle flags, two thousand stand of arms, and sixteen hundred prisoners, including two brigade commanders and one hundred and thirty commissioned officers, are the fruits of the victory…

The Sixth Maine and Fifth Wisconsin, for carrying the redoubts, the One Hundred and Twenty-first New York, Fifth Maine, Fortyninth and One Hundred and Nineteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, for taking the line of rifle-pits with the bayonet, and seizing the enemy’s bridge, deserve especial honor.”

Mine Run Campaign

Captain Quigly and 4 enlisted men were wounded.

Rapidan Campaign

Orders came on the afternoon of the 4th to prepare to march at 4 a.m. the next morning.

Battle of the Wilderness

Battle of the Wilderness – Germania Ford

The 49th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment crossed the Rapidan at Germania Ford and moved ahead on the Plank Road before forming a line of battle and advancing into the woods. They ran into the enemy at a distance of thirty yards and exchanged fire until the Confederate line fell back. Firing continued through the night.

The 49th lost 11 men killed and Lieutenant Decatur Lytle and 22 other men wounded.

Battle of the Wilderness – Day 2

In the morning the brigade advanced a short distance before again coming under fire. They drove the Confederates back some distance then erected breastworks. Fighting continued during the entire day. The Sixth Corps was now the far right of the Union line, with the 49th on the left of the brigade adjoining the Fifth Corps.

At sundown there was a heavy attack on the far right flank of the Sixth Corps which was successful in turninng its flank. But the attack was forced back repulsed and the fighting ceased shortly after dark. At midnight the Sixth Corps quietly moved off by the left, following the Fifth Corps.

Battle of the Wilderness – Day 3

In the morning the regiment was awaiting attack. It held its position all day with only skirmish firing. after dark it marched again by the left flank on the road to Spottsylvania Court House,

Laurel Hill (Spotsylvania Court House)

At midmorning the 49th Pennsylvania arrived near Laurel Hill behind the Fifth Corps, which was being hard pressed. The regiment moved to the front. The arrival of fresh troops causedthe Confederates to retire, and the regiment remained on the field through the night.

Spotsylvania Court House

The Sixth Corps moved to the left, losing General Sedgwick to a sharpshooters as it was moving into position. Three companies were moved forward as skirmishers while the remainder of the regiment were in line of battle under artillery fire.

At 6 p.m. the regiment prepared for a “packs down charge” on the Confederate positions to be led by Colonel Emory Upton. The attacking column formed in a wood only one hundred yards from the Confederate line under cover of a small rise of ground. The formation was a dense phalanx, three regiments wide and four lines deep with intervals of ten paces. The 49th Pennsylvania was on the right of the second line.

Upton’s Assault

“At the sound of the bugle the whole column advanced upon the run. As it emerged from the woods, a sheet of fire burst from the enemy’s rifle pits that swept it with terrible effect. Never faltering for an instant, it rushed on and carried the works, capturing nine hundred prisoners and several guns. But the enemy rallying in great force on front and flanks, it was forced to retire and to abandon its captures.”

“The return was even more terrible than the advance; for that open plain was swept by both infantry and artillery, and the enemy swarmed out on all sides, pouring in a concentrated and most destructive fire. Never were works more gallantly charged, nor more successfully carried; but, alas! at a fearful cost.

The regiment lost heavily in an unsuccessful assault. Colonel Thomas Hulings, Lieutenant Colonel John Miles, Captain William Kephart, Lieutenants Lytle and Calvin De Witt and 61 enlisted men were killed. Captain Robert Barr was mortally wounded. Captain Stuart, Lieutenants Downing, Irvin, Russel, and Thompson, Adjutant Hilands and 195 enlisted men were wounded. Major Baynton J. Hickman took over the regiment as senior surviving officer.

Assault on the Salient

The remnants of the regiment supported Hancock’s great attack on the bulge in the Confederate line. Heavy firing continued all day. “Many muskets were heated to such a degree as to be rendered useless, and those found upon the bodies of the dead and wounded were taken to supply their places.” The Confederates retired during the night, and Union forces moved up to occupy their positions. “The sight presented within was sickening to behold. So terrible had been the destruction of life, and so horribly were the dead torn and mangled, that it was ever after known as the slaughter-pen. ”

Captains James Quigley and F. W. Wombacker and Lieutenant John Rogers were wounded. From May 4 – 14 the regiment lost 392 casualties, and at the end of the battle could muster only 130 men.

North Anna River

Totopotomoy

Battle of Cold Harbor

The 49th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment assaulted the Confederate line, taking and holding the first trench, which it held for twelve days in the face of their second line, 100 feet distant. The 49th lost 8 men killed and Captains Wakefield and Hutchinson and 18 enlisted men wounded

Before Petersburg

Siege of Petersburg begins.

Weldon Railroad

Destroyed track along the railroad, permanently cutting one of the main supply routes into Petersburg from the south.

Repulse of Early’s attack on Washington

The regiment unloaded from the transports, marched through town, and engaged Early’s men north of the fortifications.

Pursuit of Early

The regiment followed Early’s retreat back into Virginia through Poolesville, crossed the Potomac at Edward’s Ferry, moved through the Loudon Valley and over the Blue Ridge, then caught up with him at the Shenandoah River and followed him on to Berryville.

Wright was then ordered to return the 6th Corps to Washington. It retraced its steps, with the intention of returning to the Petersburg front.

Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign

Temporarily attached to Reserve Division, Dept. West Virginia.

Third Battle of Winchester (Battle of Opequan) 

The 49th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Baynton J. Hickman. It was on the extreme left of the Sixth Corps line.

Lieutenant Joseph Wallace and 10 enlisted men were killed and Captain John Thompson, Lieutenant Downing and 35 enlisted men wounded. A shell burst atop the regimental colors, destroying what little remained of it.

Adjutant Hilands wrote,

“As the line came on the plain, east of Winchester, we on the left had a full view of the whole field, and a magnificent sight it was. The enemy’s line was broken; his artillery, cavalry and infantry were in inextricable confusion, and having turned their backs were making fast time from the field, while off to the right was our own line, in perfect order, stretching away in the distance, steadily advancing in the bright sunlight, with colors, which looked more beautiful than ever, waving in triumph. It was worth three years’ hard service to be a participant in the battle of Winchester, under the command of Phil. Sheridan.”

Siege of Petersburg

Ordered to Petersburg, Va. and returned to the Army of the Potomac

Fort Steadman

Advanced to relieve the fort, which had been captured in a surprise night attack, but was not needed as the fort had been retaken before it arrived.

Battle of Dabney’s Mills, or Hatcher’s Run

Appomattox Campaign

Fall of Petersburg

The regiment packed up its camp during the night of April 1 and moved to join the attacking force. The dawn attack broke through the Confederate lines, and the regiment followed the enemy as they retreated through Petersburg and moved north across the Appomattox River.

Sailor’s Creek

The pursuing Federal fell on Lee’s struggling army, killing or capturing a third of the enemy.

Lieuteant G. E. Hackenberg was killed, Lieutenant John Rogers mortally wounded and Captain Wombacker was wounded. Detached to escort prisoners after the battle.