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62nd
Pennsylvania Infantry
Online Books
62nd
Pennsylvania Infantry Soldier Roster - History of Pennsylvania
Volunteers, 1861-5, Volume 2 by Samuel P Bates, 1869
View Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Sixty-second Infantry. — Cols., Samuel W. Black, J.
Bowman Sweitzer; Lieut.-Cols., J. B. Sweitzer, James C. Hull; Majs., J.
W. Patterson, William G. Lowry. The 62nd regiment was recruited under
authority of the secretary of war in July, 1861, from the counties of
Allegheny, Clarion, Jefferson and Blair. Pending the settlement of the
controversy between the state and the national government as to the
right to commission all officers of troops raised within the state
limits, the organization was designated the 33d independent regiment. On
Nov. 19 an order from the war department placed all independent
regiments on the same footing as other state troops and the officers of
this regiment were thereupon commissioned by the governor, dating from
July 4. The regiment was completely officered and organized by the 24th
and on that date moved from Pittsburg to Camp Cameron. A few weeks later
it left for Washington, being quartered at Camp Rapp. On Sept. 11, it
crossed the Potomac, encamped near Fort Corcoran, and was assigned to
the 2nd brigade of Porter's division. It spent the winter of 1861-62 at
Camp Bettie Black on Minor's hill, perfecting itself meanwhile in drill
and discipline and suffering more or less from a malignant form of camp
fever. In the spring it moved with the army on the Peninsular campaign,
first coming under fire and meeting its first loss in action at
Yorktown. Its first serious engagement was at Hanover Court House in
May, where it met with some loss, but behaved most gallantly, capturing
81 prisoners, including 7 officers. The regiment was actively engaged at
Mechanicsville, Gaines' mill and Malvern hill, its entire loss during
the campaign being 298 in killed, wounded and missing. In the fighting
at Gaines' mill, its gallant colonel was slain, while Lieut.-Col.
Sweitzer was captured. At Malvern hill it was led by Capt. James C.
Hull, in the absence of all its field officers, and after the campaign
it remained at Harrison's landing until Aug. 14, when it moved with
Porter's corps to Fredericksburg and the Rappahannock. Porter's corps
was in reserve at the second Bull Run battle, and soon after the 62nd
returned to its old camp at Minor's hill, sadly reduced in numbers by
its long campaign. At Antietam it was active, supporting a battery of 20
pieces ; at Fredericksburg it formed part of the Center Grand Division,
commanded by Gen. Hooker, and suffered severely, its loss being 2
officers and 5 men killed and 7 officers and 56 men wounded. Speaking of
the advance of Griffin's 1st division, to which it belonged, on the
stone wall in front of Marye's heights, Gen. Burnside said : "No troops
ever behaved better in the world." With the exception of a march to the
Rappahannock late in December, in support of Gen. Averell, and the "Mud
March" of Jan., 1863, nothing of moment occurred during the winter. In
April as part of the 5th corps, commanded by Gen. Meade, it moved upon
the Chancellorsville campaign and was engaged with considerable loss in
the battle which ensued, being the last regiment of its corps to cross
the river on its withdrawal from the front. It was encamped at
Fredericksburg until June 1 and was then on picket duty at Kelly's ford
until the middle of the month, when it moved on the Gettysburg campaign,
arriving on the scene of battle on July 2nd. Its loss at Gettysburg was
very heavy, and the command could only muster 90 men at the close of the
fighting. Col. Sweitzer was wounded and Maj. Lowry and 5 other officers
were among the killed. Returning to Virginia, the regiment engaged in
the campaign of maneuvres which followed and was engaged at Rappahannock
Station, Locust Grove and Mine run. Its winter quarters for 1863-64 were
at Licking run. With ranks much recruited, it entered on the Wilderness
campaign in May, 1864, the 5th corps being now commanded by Gen. Warren.
From now on the fighting was almost continuous, the 62nd being heavily
engaged at the Wilderness, Laurel hill, Spottsylvania, the North Anna
river, Totopotomoy creek, Bethesda Church, in the first assaults on
Petersburg near the Norfolk & Petersburg railroad, and on June 21 was
again engaged, but without much loss, on the Jerusalem plank road. It
was employed on fatigue and picket duties until July 3, when the term of
the original members, except veterans, having expired, it was ordered to
the rear. Companies L and M, whose term was not yet expired, were
transferred to the 91st Pa. (q. v.), and the recruits and veterans to
the 105th Pa. On July 4 the regiment started for Pittsburg, where it was
mustered out, having lost during its final campaign out of a total of
557 men, 1 officer and 28 men killed, 11 officers and 227 men wounded,
and 1 officer and 30 men missing. Six officers died soon after from
their wounds. In August companies L and M were withdrawn from the front
and mustered out at Pittsburg. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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