Three hundred woodsmen in McKean County had built three large rafts and rafted down the Sinnamahoning River to the Susquehanna and to Harrisburg under the direction of Thomas Kane.

The regiment was under the command of Colonel Charles Biddle, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas L. Kane, and Major Roy Stone. Kane was originally elected colonel and Biddle lieutenant colonel, but Kane wanted Biddle, a Mexican War veteran, to have command. A second election reversed the two offices.

The men were initially given smoothbore muskets but many refused to accept them, as they were recruited as a rifle regiment. The nickname of “Bucktails” came from the buck tail that each man wore on his hat, proclaiming their ability as marksmen.

Battle of Dranesville

Two men were killed and Lieutenant Colonel Kane and 25 other men wounded

Battle of Harrisonburg

The battalion, with just 104 men after the attrition of the last week’s marching, lost 52 casualties in a fight with the Confederate brigade of George Steuart. Colonel Kane was wounded in the leg and captured, and Captain Taylor was captured while attempting to bring Kane off the field. Less than 50 Bucktails left the battlefield, but they mortally wounded “Stonewall” Jackson’s cavalry commander, General Turner Ashby.

Battle of Cross Keys

Only 40 men remained in the ranks by the end of the battle.

Pope’s Campaign in Northern Virginia

The remnants of the battalion were assigned to General Pope’s headquarters guard.

Catlett’s Station

The battalion lost 19 men captured to Stuart’s Confederate cavalry.

Bull Run Bridge

The battalion acted as rear guard at the Stone Bridge.

Battle of Mechanicsville

Also known as Beaver Dam Creek. The regiment lost over 100 men.

Company K under Captain Edward Irvin was cut off during the retreat. They would try to make their way back to Union lines for five days before finally being captured.

Battle of Gaines Mill

Company E was cut off and captured during the retreat. The regiment had just 131 men left by the end of the day when they went into a defensive line at Boatswain’s Creek.

Battle of Charles City Cross Roads or Glendale

The regiment was able to put 155 men into battle near Long Bridge Road. Forced into a fighting retreat, the regiment was the nucleus for resistance on the flank.

Battle of Malvern Hill

At Harrison’s Landing

The regiment had lost 247 officers and men during the Seven Days Battles, over 80%. Colonel McNeil returned from sick leave.

Second Battle of Bull Run

Battle of South Mountain

The reunited regiment brought less than 300 men to the battle. Captain Edward Irvin of Company K was wounded in the head when he led the regiment in a successful charge up the steep ridge. The position was taken at the cost of some 60 men. Captain Edward A. Irvin of Company K would be promoted to lieutenant colonel for his bravery.

Battle of Antietam

Colonel McNeil was mortally wounded on the evening of September 16 leading the regiment in heavy skirmishing after crossing Antietam Creek. Captain Dennis McGee took command of the regiment when Colonel McNeil fell. Less than 200 men could be mustered by the end of the evening on the 16th. Three dozen more would be killed or wounded on the 17th.

There are two War Department markers for Seymour’s Brigade on the Antietam battlefield. The first marker is on Mansfield Avenue at Smoketown Road. From the marker:

Seymour’s Briade of Meade’s Division, after its engagement with the enemy of September 16, 1862, bivouacked on either side of the road at this point , with pickets thrown forward in the east woods.

The second marker is on Smoketown Road. From the marker:

Seymour’s Brigade became engaged at daybreak, and advanced on either side of this road into the East Woods, where it became heavily engaged with the enemy.

At the western edge of the East Woods its advance was checked by the enemy, and its ammunition having been exhausted, it was relieved about 7 A. M. by Ricketts’ Division, and withdrawn to the ridge in the rear of Joseph Poffenberger’s.

Battle of Fredericksburg

Battle of Gettysburg

The regiment was commanded by Colonel Charles F. Taylor until he was killed on July 2nd. Lieutenant Colonel Niles was wounded, and Major William R. Hartshorn took command.

July 2nd in the evening charged from the hill in rear to this position and held it until the afternoon of July 3rd when the Brigade advanced through the woods to the front and left driving the enemy and capturing many prisoners.

Present at Gettysburg 30 officers and 319 men. Killed and died of wounds 2 officers and 9 men. Wounded 8 officers and 27 men. Captured or missing 2 men.

Battle of the Wilderness

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House

Battle of Harris Farm