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76th
Pennsylvania Infantry
Online Books
76th
Pennsylvania Infantry Soldier Roster - History of Pennsylvania
Volunteers, 1861-5, Volume 2 by Samuel P Bates, 1869
View Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Seventy-sixth Infantry. — Cols., John M. Power, D. W.
C. Strawbridge, J. C. Campbell, John S. Littell; Lieut.-Cols., D. H.
Wallace, J. C. Campbell, John W. Hicks, John S. Littell, Charles Knerr;
Majs., Oliver M. Irvine, Cyrus Diller, John W. Hicks, William S. Diller,
Charles Knerr, W. S. Moorhead. The 76th regiment, known as the Keystone
Zouaves, was recruited in the counties of Lawrence, Mercer, Blair, York,
Bedford, Westmoreland, Luzerne and Beaver. It rendezvoused at Camp
Cameron, Harrisburg, where the members were gradually mustered into the
U. S. service during the months of Sept, Oct. and Nov., 1861, for three
years. On Nov. 18 the regiment received its colors from the governor and
the next day it left for Fortress Monroe. It arrived at Hilton Head, S.
C, early in December and was engaged in the work of fortification here
until April, 1862, being assigned to Gen. Wright's brigade. On April 8
it was ordered to Tybee island, at the mouth of the Savannah river, and
assisted in the reduction of Fort Pulaski, returning to Hilton Head on
the 19th. It participated in the attack on Fort Johnson, near
Secessionville in June, and in October it took a conspicuous part in the
Pocotaligo expedition, losing 75 officers and men. It was then engaged
in picket duty on Botany Bay, St. Helena and Folly islands until July,
1863. With four companies of the 7th Conn., it made a gallant assault on
Fort Wagner on Morris island, in July, losing 187 men in the bloody
engagement. It was also engaged in the second desperate assault a few
days later, losing 17 killed and wounded. Scout, picket and guard
duties, and the work of repulsing numerous night attacks from the
mainland, occupied the regiment until May, 1864, when, with the 10th
corps, it was ordered to Virginia, and attached to the Army of the James
as part of Barton's brigade, 2nd division, 10th corps. It was shortly
afterward engaged on the Richmond & Petersburg railroad, losing 65 men;
was active at Swift creek and Drewry's bluff, suffering some loss ; was
heavily engaged in the fighting at Cold Harbor in June ; participated in
the first assaults on Petersburg, and shared actively in the work of the
siege, casualties occurring almost daily. It fought at Deep Bottom and
Bermuda Hundred in August; suffered a heavy loss in the sanguinary
engagement at New Market heights when Fort Harrison was captured ; was
engaged on the Darbytown road on the skirmish line from dawn until ten
at night, with a loss of 1 killed and 12 wounded ; and in Dec, 1864,
participated in the expedition for the capture of Fort Fisher, N. C. It
also shared in the second and successful expedition against the fort in
Jan., 1865, being attached to Pennypacker's brigade, which lost heavily
in the desperate fighting that resulted in the capture of the fort.
Later it moved with the army against Wilmington, N. C, and thence to
Raleigh, where the 76th was detached for provost duty. It was mustered
out at this place on July 18, 1865, the original members (except vets,
and recruits) having been mustered out at Harrisburg, Nov. 28, 1864.
During the homeward passage, several men were lost by the sinking of one
of the transports. It reached Harrisburg, July 23, and here the men were
paid and finally discharged. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 1
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