PENNSYLVANIA 121ST INFANTRY (Three Years)

One Hundred and Twenty-first Infantry.-Cols., Chapman Biddle, Alexander Biddle, James Ashworth; Lieut.-Cols., Elisha W. Davis, Alexander Biddle, James Ashworth, Thomas M. Hall, Samuel T. Lloyd, James S. Warner; Majs., Alexander Biddle, James Ashworth, Thomas M. Hall, West Funk. The 121st was recruited in Philadelphia and Venango county and mustered into the service for three years, in Sept., 1862, at Philadelphia. It was ordered to Washington, where it was attached to Casey's provisional brigade, and in October, it became a part of Gen. Meade's division near Antietam. Fredericksburg was its first engagement, after which it went into camp at Belle Plain for the winter. It broke camp to participate in the "Mud March," and again for the Chancellorsville movement in May, 1863, returning to camp near Falmouth until the Gettysburg campaign. On July 1, the regiment was hotly engaged and out of 263 men who entered the fight only 84 reported for duty after the day was over. The next day the men had some rest, but were active again on the 3rd and then joined in the pursuit. The 121st guarded Kelly's Ford and Cedar Run bridge, near Catlett's Station, joined in the Mine Run movement, and then made winter quarters at Culpeper. Attached to the 5th corps, the regiment participated in the battle of the Wilderness, where it sustained heavy loss. At Spottsylvania, Jericho ford, Bethesda Church and Cold Harbor the men fought bravely, their ranks greatly reduced in numbers. At Cold Harbor the 121st was assigned to the 1st division. It aided in the construction of "Fort Hell" at Petersburg; shared in the raid upon the Weldon railroad in August, fought at Peebles Farm, at which time it formed part of the 3rd brigade, 3rd division. In this engagement a large number of the 121st were cut off by the enemy and made prisoners. The remnant of the regiment had a part in the movement on the Weldon railroad in December, the Hatcher's run movement in Feb., 1865, the fight at the Boydton plank road in March, was active at the battle of Five Forks and was present at Lee's surrender at Appomattox. A few days of guard duty at Appomattox and two weeks, encampment on the South Side railroad followed, after which the regiment proceeded to Washington and was there mustered out on June 2, 1865. Source: The Union Army, vol. 1 Gettysburg after battle report: Reports of Lieut. Col. Alexander Biddle, One hundred and twenty-first Pennsylvania Infantry. Bivouac in the Field, Thursday, July 2, 1863. Col.: The One hundred and twenty-first Pennsylvania Volunteer Regt., under my command, marched from W. R. White's house, in Freedom Township, yesterday morning, Wednesday, July 1. On arriving at the top of the hill bordering the valley in which Gettysburg lies, we were marched into a field on the left of a wood, through which we saw the First Division driving the enemy. We remained in this field, exposed at all times to an enfilading or direct fire, sometimes facing northwardly and sometimes westwardly, as the attack of the enemy varied. A large body of the enemy's troops had been seen to the west of our position throughout the day. While we were taking up a position facing to the north, to support a battery at the corner of a wood, the troops were seen advancing. We were ordered to form to meet them, and changed front to effect it. As the proper position assigned to the One hundred and twenty-first Regt. was immediately in front of the battery, we were moved to the extreme left, with the Twentieth New York on our right. I saw the line of the enemy slowly approaching up the hill, extending far beyond our left flank, for which we had no defense. As the enemy's faces appeared over the crest of the hill, we fired effectually into them, and, soon after, received a crushing fire from their right, under which our ranks were broken and became massed together as we endeavored to change front to the left to meet them. The immediate attack on our front was destroyed by our first fire. The officers made every possible effort to form their men, and Capt.'s Ashworth and Sterling and Lieut.'s Ruth and Funk were all wounded. The regiment, broken and scattered, retreated to the wood around the hospital and maintained a scattering fire. Here, with the broken remnants of other regiments, they defended the fence of the hospital grounds with great determination. Finding the enemy were moving out on our left flank, with the intention of closing in on the only opening into the barricade, I reported the fact to the division commander, and by his directions returned to the fence barricade. The rebels, advancing on our left flank, soon turned the position, and our regimental colors, with the few men left with them, moved out of the hospital grounds through the town to our present position, where we now have almost exactly one-fourth of our force and one commissioned officer besides myself. I beg particularly to call attention to the meritorious conduct of Sergeant [William] Hardy, color-bearer, who carried off the regimental colors, the staff shot to pieces in his hands; also to the gallantry of Capt. Ashworth and Lieut. Ruth, both wounded; also to Lieut.'s Funk and Dorr and Capt. Sterling. Acting Sergeant-Maj. [Henry M.] Cowpland, Sergeant [Henry H.] Herpst, in command of Company A, and Sergeant [Charles] Winkworth, are all deserving of high commendation; also Corporal [John M.] Bingham, of Company A. The constant changes of position which the regiment was ordered to make, and the seeming uncertainty of which way we were to expect an attack, or what position we were to defend, was exceedingly trying to the discipline of the regiment. Their conduct was, in my opinion, far beyond praise. I also wish to call attention to those whom the men speak of as deserving of high commendation--Sergeants [Robert F.] Bates, [William A.] McCoy, [Joshua L.] Childs (wounded, who insisted on remaining with his company), [John] McTaggart, James Allen, and Charles Barlow, Corporals Daniel H. Weikel and [Edward D.] Knight, and Privates T. B. H. McPherson and William Branson. Respectfully submitted. A. BIDDLE, Maj. 121 st Pennsylvania Volunteer Regt. [Col. Chapman Biddle, Comdg. First Brig., Third Div., First Army Corps.] ----Camp at Rappahannock Station, Va., August 20, 1863. Lieut.: In obedience to orders requiring a report of the movement of this command from June 28 to the time of its arrival at Warrenton, I respectfully submit the following statement, in addition to the report already presented of its action on July 1, 2, and 3, on the battle-field of Gettysburg, viz: July 4.--Remained in position under arms on the battle-field of Gettysburg. July 5.--Encamped on a slight elevation near by, to avoid the ground, saturated by an exceedingly heavy rain. July 6.--Marched to near Emmitsburg, and encamped northeast of the town. July 7.--Marched toward Middletown, and encamped, after crossing a range of hills, about 5 miles from the town. July 8.--Marched through South Mountain Pass, and bivouacked in position on its western side. July 9.--Marched to near Boonsborough, on Beaver Dam Creek. July 10.--Changed position, and constructed a slight breastwork to cover the right flank of the army. July 11.--Remained in position. July 12.--Marched through Funkstown, crossed the Antietam. and came under the fire of the enemy's skirmishers. Formed line of battle, and threw up timber and earth defenses. July 13.--Same position. July 14.--Moved toward Williamsport, and encamped; no opposition. July 15.--Retraced our previous day's march, and thence through Keedysville to foot of South Mountain, near Crampton's Gap and farm. July 16.--Crossed the mountain, and marched through Burkittsville to a point near Petersville and Berlin, and encamped. July 17.--In camp. July 18.--Marched through Berlin across Potomac to near Waterford. July 19.--Marched through Hamilton (Harmony), and encamped. July 20.--Marched to Middleburg. July 21.--Remained in camp. July 22.--At 5.30 p. m., marched, escorting train to White Plains. July 23.--Marched to Warrenton. The above concludes the movements of the regiment since the battle of Gettysburg, in which it lost two-thirds of its strength. June 28.--The regiment marched from Middletown to Frederick, Md. June 29.--The regiment marched to Emmitsburg. June 30.--Moved forward about 5 miles, and was sent forward to picket east and west from Marsh to Middle Creek, the center of the line being the cross-roads near to Ross White's house, where the Millerstown (Fairfield and Bull Frog) road and Gettysburg road intersect each other. There is no incident of moment to mention that I am aware of. Respectfully submitted. ALEXANDER BIDDLE, Lieut.-Col., Comdg. 121st Penn. Vol. Regt. Lieut. W. L. Wilson, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

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

Pennsylvania 121st Volunteer Infantry (Union)

Related Records