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

One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Infantry. Cols., John S. Schultze, John E. Parsons; Lieut.-Cols., Joseph E. Ramsey, John E. Parsons, Joseph A. Ege; Majs., George W. Merrick, David Z. Seipe. The nucleus of the 187th was the 1st battalion of six months' infantry, which was mustered in at Harrisburg from June 21 to July 8, 1863. The battalion performed guard and provost duty at different points in the state until the expiration of its term, when it was reorganized at Camp Curtin and recruited to a full regiment. It was mustered into the U. S. service from Feb. to May, 1864, for a three years' term. On May 19 it left for Washington and a week later started for the front, joining the Army of the Potomac on June 6. It was assigned to the 1st brigade, (Gen. Chamberlain) 1st division (Gen. Griffin) 5th corps, (Gen. Warren). It supported the 9th corps during the fighting of June 17 in front of Petersburg and was itself heavily engaged with its corps on the left the next day, when it lost one-tenth of its numbers and was complimented by Gen. Chamberlain for its gallantry. Maj. Merrick, commanding the regiment, lost a leg here. It was engaged in the trenches and on the fortifications before Petersburg until Aug. 18, when it moved with its corps upon the Weldon railroad and after severe fighting at Six-mile house it was engaged in the work of fortification until Sept. 22. It was then ordered to Philadelphia and employed in garrison and escort duty at Camp Cadwalader. During the funeral obsequies of President Lincoln it led the procession from the railway station to Independence Hall and guarded the remains while they lay in state. Together with the 1st City Troop it was then detailed to escort the remains back to the railroad. During the remainder of its service it performed guard and provost duty at various points in the state by detachments. It was mustered out at Harrisburg on Aug. 3, 1865.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 1

Pennsylvania 187th Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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