49thinfantryregimate

Regimental History

Pennsylvania

49TH INFANTRY

(3 years)

Forty-ninth Infantry.-Cols., William H. Irwin, Thomas M.

Hulings, B. J. Hickman, A. W. Wakefield; Lieut.-Cols., William

Brisbane, Thomas M Hulings, John B. Miles, B. J. Hickman, A. W.

Wakefield, James T Stuart; Majs., Thomas M. Hulings, John B.

Miles, B. J. Hickman, A.W. Wakefield, James T. Stuart, F. W.

Wombacker. The 49th was recruited in the counties of Center,

Chester, Huntingdon, Mifflin and Juniata and was mustered into

the U. S. service at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, Sept. I4, I86I,

for a three years, term.

It was ordered to Washington on Sept. 22, assigned to the Ist brigade of Gen. W. F. Smith's division, 4th corps, and camped during the winter near Lewinsville. It joined in the campaign on the Peninsula early in 1862,

performing various siege duties at Yorktown, and fighting at

Williamsburg, Garnett's and Golding's farms, White Oak swamp

and Malvern hill. On Aug. I6, the regiment was sent to

Alexandria, where it was attached to Franklin's corps, which

joined the Army of the Potomac at Centerville and proceeded to

Antietam, engaging the enemy on the way at Crampton's gap.

During this battle the 49th was held in reserve, as it was also

at Fredericksburg in December.

Winter quarters were established at White Oak Church and on Jan. 9, 1864, the regiment was consolidated into a battalion of four companies,

which participated in the "Mud March."

Col. Irwin added enough new recruits to the regiment in April to restore it to its old organization and it was assigned to the 3d brigade, Ist

division, 6th corps, with which it remained until the end of

its service. It was active at Salem Church, present at Deep

run, active at Gettysburg, and then joined in the southward

movement of the army. It was engaged at Rappahannock Station,

and was mentioned in orders for gallantry. It joined in the

Mine Run movement, after which it went into winter quarters at

Hazel Run, where 260 of its members reenlisted and with the

addition of recruits and drafted men the regiment was continued

as a veteran organization.

On May 4, 1864, it broke camp and the next day the command was in the heat of the action at the Wilderness. At Laurel hill the regiment made a most daring assault, but at fearful cost. Col. Hulings, Lieut.-Col. Miles

2 other officers and 61 men being killed and 5 officers and I95

men wounded or missing. The next engagement was the assault on

the angle at Spottsylvania. The loss up to the I4th of the

month when only I30 men were able to report for duty, was 392

killed, wounded or missing. At Cold Harbor the loss was 8

killed and 20 wounded. The regiment proceeded with the army to

Petersburg and on July II, was ordered to Washington, which was

threatened by Gen. Early. It followed Early to the Shenandoah

river and then returned to Washington, but had scarcely arrived

when news of Early's advance upon Crook caused it to return to

Harper's Ferry.

It was active at the battle of Winchester; was

posted on guard in the city for a time; then ordered again to

Petersburg; shared in the action at Hatcher's run, and made its

winter quarters at Fort Wadsworth. It took part in the final

assault on Petersburg; was in the cavalry fight at Sailor's

creek , was then detailed to guard prisoners to Appomattox;

next ordered to Danville, where it remained for a month, and

then returned to Washington, where it arrived June 2 and remained

until mustered out at Hall's hill, July 15, 1865.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 1

Battles Fought Prior to Isaac and James Fall

Fought on 16 January 1862.

Fought on 28 April 1862.

Fought on 27 June 1862 at Gaines' Mill, VA.

Fought on 28 June 1862 at Savage's Station, VA.

Fought on 01 July 1862 at Malvern Hill, VA.

Fought on 07 November 1863 at Rappahannock Station, VA.

Fought on 15 January 1864.

Source Information:

Historical Data Systems, comp. American Civil War Battle Summaries [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: MyFamily.com, Inc., 1999. Original data: Data compiled by Historical Data Systems of Kingston, MA from the following list of works. Copyright 1997-2000