United States Regiments & Batteries > Delaware


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 and Gettysburg and on the State of Delaware monument at Gettysburg.

1861
June 12 to
October 7
The 2nd Delaware Infantry Regiment was organized at Wilmington, Delaware under the command of Colonel W. Henry Wharton and Lieutenant Colonel 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, Maryland and attached to Dix’s Command of the Army of the Potomac
November 14-22 Expedition through Accomac County
1862
June

Peninsula Campaign

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

June 25 – July 1

Seven days before Richmond

Colonel Wharton was forced to take medical leave due to typhoid fever, and Lieutenant Colonel Baily was eventually also forced to relinquish command for the same reason. Captain David Stricker of Company A was left 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 At Sharpsburg
September 16-17

Battle of Antietam

The regiment was commanded by Captain David L. Stricker. It lost 12 men killed, 44 wounded and 2 missing in fighting around the Sunken Road (Bloody Lane).

From the monument on the Antietam battlefield:

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.

From the brigade marker at Antietam:

Brooke’s Brigade formed the reserve of Richardson’s Division.

After checking an attempt of the enemy to gain the right rear of French’s Division near Roulette’s house, it co-operated with Caldwell in his advance across the Bloody Lane and through the cornfield to the south, the advance Regiments driving the enemy from Piper’s barn and outhouses. The ammunition of the Brigade having been exhausted, it was withdrawn and occupied a position a short distance north of this point, in support of Battery K, 1st U.S. Artillery.

Monument to the 2nd Delaware Infantry Regiment at Antietam

Monument to the 2nd Delaware Infantry Regiment at Antietam

September 22 – October 30 Moved to Harper’s Ferry and duty there
October 6 Colonel Wharton resigned due to disability from typhoid. Lieutenant Colonel Baily was 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

December 16 At Falmouth, Va.

1863

January 20-24

Mud March

April Attached to 4th Brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Corps
April 27-May 6

Chancellorsville Campaign

May 1-5
Battle of Chancellorsville

The regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel David L. 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 David L. Stricker was also wounded, so Captain Charles Christman 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.

Monument to the 2nd Delaware Infantry Regiment at Gettysburg

Monument to the 2nd Delaware Infantry Regiment at Gettysburg

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
Battle of the Wilderness
May 8-21

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House

Lieutenant Colonel David L. Stricker and Captain John Evans were killed in the attack on the “Mule Shoe”

May 10

Po River

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

Battle of Cold Harbor

June, 1864 Attached to 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Corps
June 16-18

Assault on Petersburg

June 22-23

Jerusalem Plank Road, Weldon R. R.

July I The 2nd Delaware Infantry Regiment was mustered out at the expiration of its term. Veterans and Recruits were transferred to 1st Delaware Infantry Regiment