PENNSYLVANIA ONE HUNDRED and FORTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY (Three Years)

One Hundred and Forty-seventh Infantry. Cols., Ario Pardee, Jr., John Craig; Lieut.-Cols., Ario Pardee, Jr., John Craig; Majs., John Craig, William J. Mackey. Cos. A, B, C, D, and E of this regiment were formerly Cos. L, M, N, O and P, of the 28th, (q. v.), and were transferred to the 147th in Sept., 1862; Cos. F, G and H were mustered in at Harrisburg, Pa., from Aug. 22 to Nov. 20, 1862, for a three years' term; Co. I was organized at Philadelphia on Oct. 10, 1863, and Co. K in Feb., 1864. Co. K was formed from the men of the first five companies who did not reenlist for another term. It was disbanded in March, 1864, and its members were assigned to the other companies. The regiment was organized at Loudoun Heights, Va., Oct. 10, 1862, with Ario Pardee, Jr., as lieutenant-colonel, and John Craig, major. On Jan. 27, 1864, Pardee was commissioned colonel. The regiment moved from the vicinity of Harper's Ferry to Fairfax Court House just after the battle of Fredericksburg. It shared in Burnside's "Mud March" in Jan., 1863, and was stationed at Acquia Creek landing until the opening of the Chancellorsville campaign. As part of the 1st brigade (Col. Candy), 2nd division (Brig.-Gen. Geary), 12th corps (Maj.-Gen. Slocum), it took an honorable part in the battle of Chancellorsville, losing 94 killed, wounded and missing, including 3 officers killed and 4 wounded. It arrived on the field of Gettysburg on the evening of July 1 and during the night went into position to the right of Round Top, but was posted during the next two days of the battle on Culp's hill, on the right of the line. It suffered a loss of only 5 killed and l5 wounded, on account of the favorable nature of the ground occupied. On its return to the Rappahannock it received 160 drafted men and a little later, with the 11th and 12th corps, it proceeded west and joined the Army of the Cumberland. It participated with some loss in the battles of Lookout mountain and Missionary ridge, and during the pursuit was active at Ringgold, after which it went into winter quarters at Wauhatchie. On Dec. 29, 1863, a majority of the members re-enlisted and received the usual veteran furlough. A large number of recruits were also received during the winter and early in May, 1864, it moved with Gen. Sherman on the Atlanta campaign, being engaged at Dug gap, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kennesaw mountain and Peachtree creek. In the last named action, the regiment held its position at a critical point on the line with great tenacity and heroism and aided largely in saving its corps from serious disaster. After sharing in the operations about Atlanta it marched to the sea and then north through the Carolinas. When Gen. Johnston surrendered in April it moved with the army to the vicinity of Washington, and was there mustered out on July 15, 1865. Source: The Union Army, vol. 1 Gettysburg after battle report: Report of Lieut. Col. Ario Pardee, jr., One hundred and forty-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry. Near Gettysburg, Pa., July 4, 1863. Sir: In compliance with circular of this day, I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the One hundred and Forty-seventh Regt. Pennsylvania Volunteers in the actions of July 2 and 3: My regiment was relieved from picket duty early on the morning of the 2d, and marched with the brigade to the position on the right of the line occupied by the First Army Corps. In this position we remained until evening, when we marched with the brigade to a position near and east of the turnpike leading from Gettysburg to Baltimore. On the morning of the 3d, we marched to a point near the line of the previous day and toward the right of the line of the brigade, having on our right the Seventh Regt. Ohio Volunteers and on our left the Fifth Regt. Ohio Volunteers. Soon after the line was formed, I was ordered by Gen. Geary, commanding division, to move forward with my regiment to a point which commanded the right of the line of intrenchments, and from which a view could be had of the movements of the enemy. My regiment, soon after reaching its assigned position, became engaged with the skirmishers of the enemy, who were soon driven from their position. Skirmishers were sent to the front and right flank, into the woods, from which they greatly harassed the enemy. At about 8 a. m. an attempt was made by the enemy to turn the right of the line of the intrenchments. They boldly advanced to within about 100 yards without discovering my regiment. I then ordered the regiment to fire, and broke their line. They reformed again as a body and advanced. Their advance was checked by the heavy fire they received, when they broke and ran. I would have charged them, but had no support, and would not have been able to have held their position against the column in their rear. I have the honor to report that I held the position assigned me until late in the afternoon, when I was ordered to report to Gen. Wadsworth, of the First Corps. My loss has been, I am happy to say, slight, when my exposed position is taken into consideration. The casualties are, 1 commissioned officer (Lieut. William H. Tourison, Company E) killed, 4 enlisted men killed, and 16 wounded. A list of the casualties has already been furnished you. I am, sir, very respectfully, ARIO PARDEE, Jr., Lieut. Col. 147th Regt. Pennsylvania Vols., Comdg. Lieut. A. H. W. Creigh, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 27. Part I. Reports. Serial No. 43

Pennsylvania 147th Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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