PENNSYLVANIA 111TH INFANTRY (Three Years)

One Hundred and Eleventh Infantry.-Cols., Matthew Schlaudecker, George A. Cobham, Jr., Thomas M. Walker; Lieut.Cols., George A. Cobham, Jr., Thomas M. Walker, W. J. Alexander, Frank J. Osgood; Majs., Thomas M. Walker, John A. Boyle, William A. Thomas, W. J. Alexander, Frank J. Osgood, Frederick L. Gimber. The 111th was recruited in the counties of Erie, Warren and Crawford and its organization was completed at Erie on Jan. 24, 1862, when it was mustered in for three years' service. It moved to Harrisburg and thence to Baltimore where it remained until May, when it was sent to Harper's Ferry to join Gen. Banks. It remained in that vicinity until July, and then proceeded to Cedar mountain, where it fought as part of the 2nd brigade, end division 2nd corps. At Antietam it lost over one-third of the number engaged but was highly praised for its daring by Gen. Greene, who commanded the division, and it was presented with a stand of colors by Col. Stainrook commanding the brigade. Two months were spent in camp on Loudoun heights, near Harper's Ferry, and with the 12th corps, to which it had been transferred, the 111th arrived at Fredericksburg too late for the battle. Winter quarters were established at Fairfax Station, the regiment leaving camp for the "Mud March" in Jan., 1863, after which it was sent to Acquia creek and assigned to the 2nd brigade, 2nd division, 12th corps. On March 3, it was selected by Gen. Hooker as one of ten regiments to receive special commendation, practically shown by increase of absences and furloughs allowed. It joined in the Chancellorsville campaign, but returned to Acquia creek landing until June 13, when it was ordered to Leesburg. It was active at Gettysburg, where it was more fortunate than many of the Pennsylvania regiments. It remained with the army until Sept. 15, when it was ordered west with the 12th corps and reached Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Oct. 6. It took part in the battle of Wauhatchie; went into camp on Raccoon mountain; and fought in the battles of Lookout mountain and Missionary ridge in November. In December, practically the whole regiment reenlisted and in the spring of 1864, returned to Bridgeport, Ala., strengthened by the addition of new recruits. It was assigned to the 3rd brigade, 2nd division, 2Oth corps, and took part in the Atlanta campaign, being engaged at Resaca, New Hope Church, Dallas, Peachtree creek and Atlanta. On Sept. 2, with five other regiments it was sent forward to reconnoiter and entered the city. It camped in Atlanta until about the middle of November, when it rejoined the division at Milledgeville. In March, 1865, the 109th Pa. was consolidated with it and it moved on to Washington, where it participated in the grand review and on July 19, 1865, was mustered out of the service of the Union it had served so well. The total strength of the regiment is recorded as 1,847, but 100 drafted men deserted on the journey to Tennessee; 310 recruits belonged to the 109th Pa.; 42 members failed to report, making the actual strength 1,395. Of this number 549 died during service from wounds or disease. W. T. Fox in his "Regimental Losses," names the 111th as one of the "three hundred fighting regiments." Source: The Union Army, vol. 1 Antietam after battle report: Report of Maj. Thomas M. Walker, One hundred and eleventh Pennsylvania Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. HDQRS. ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVENTH REGT. PA. VOLS., September 22, 1862 I have the honor to report the part taken by the One hundred and eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers in the battle on Antietam Crek, Md., September 17, 1862. We were moved during the night of the 16th from the center to the right. Arriving about midnight at the point for our bivouac, we rested until awakened at daylight by the fire of the pickets in our front. We were soon formed in column closed in mass, and marched abut three-quarters of a mile to the front, and then halted to prepare breakfast. While so doing we were suddenly ordered to fall in. We advanced in column and deployed under fire of musketry, the enemy having driven our forces for some way and occupying the woods in front of us. We advanced and fired as we deployed, and by the time we reached the woods were in line, closing upon on the left of the First Brigade. We swept the rebels from the woods, taking a large number of prisoners, among them a number of officers. Arriving at the far edge of the woods, we halted and engaged the enemy, who had rallied in the field beyond. Again advancing, we drove the enemy until we occupied the heights finally held by our forces. We laid under the brow of this hill to await the coming of a battery to our support. One was quickly sent, but was unfortunately our to the proper ammunition. Another soon came, well supplied, and began at once to fire upon the enemy. We had not been long in this position before the rebels had formed their line, with the intention of recovering their ground and taking this battery. They were allowed to approach within 30 feet (my men in the mean time having fixed bayonets), but at the proper time we rushed forward to the mouths of the cannon, hand-sorely repulsing their charge. We now face to the right, and filed to the right to assist in repulsing an attack made on the troops covering our right. This was accomplished after some very heavy firing. When the enemy began to waver we advanced, driving them from the woods and from about the brick church. We held these woods, under fire, for over two hours, until a new regiment, formed at right angles to our right, receiving the fire of and advancing line, broke and ran through us, carrying us back over pat of the ground we had fought so hard to gain. The rebels followed us to the top of the hill, upon which they tried to take our battery, but were stopped by a battery posted on our right. The line of our advancing forces, coming up, occupied the hill, thus leaving the field in our possession. My regiment entered the fight with 13 officers and 230 men. Of this small command I have lost 1 officer and 26 men killed, 6 officers and 74 men wounded, and & men missing; a total of 114, or nearly half of my command.* After seven hours' continuous fighting we were relieved, having expended nearly 120 rounds of ammunition to each man. The character of the fighting you will know. It will be shoe by a glance at the colors we bore upon the field. (Together they are pierced with 25 shots.) bury, was of great assistance. I shall also mention Lieut. Charles Woeltge, who together with all my officers, behaved most bravely, and have received my hearty commendations for their conduct. During the whole of the engagement the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Regiment was on our right, and we continued side by side until the end, fighting almost as one man. THOS. M. WALKER, Maj., Commanding One hundred and eleventh Regt. Pa. Vols. Lieut.-Col. LANE, Commanding Second Brigade. Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 19. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 27 Gettysburg after battle report: Report of Lieut. Col. Thomas M. Walker, One hundred and eleventh Pennsylvania Infantry. Littlestown, Pa., July 6, 1863. Sir: I have the honor to report the part taken by the One hundred and eleventh Regt. Pennsylvania Volunteers in the action of July 3, on the heights before Gettysburg. The regiment in connection with the brigade was moved into line of battle on the right of the Baltimore pike during the forenoon of the 2d instant, the One hundred and ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers on our left, and connections with the First Division on the right. We at once began building a rifle-pit of logs and stone, which was finished in about three hours. We were undisturbed behind this, and remained until a little before dark, when we were ordered to move to the rear and abandon our works. After marching about a mile to the rear, we were again conducted up the Baltimore pike to occupy our old position. The Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, that preceded us, having been fired on from the position we were to occupy, we halted, and then moved with caution, endeavoring to get back to the trenches. At about 11 o'clock, having got into the rear of Gen. Greene's brigade, which still occupied their rifle-pits, I was ordered to place my men in the trenches, and proceeded to do so, under the supposition that there was no enemy in our vicinity. Two companies on the left, which were marching in front, had been placed in position, when we received a volley from the hill, not over 6 rods from our flank and rear. I immediately placed the remaining companies in line perpendicular to the works and facing the direction of the fire we had received, sent out scouts, and ascertained positively that the hill and works on the right were occupied by the rebels, and reported to Col. Cobham. I was ordered again by Col. Cobham to place my men in the rifle-pits, but, protesting that my regiment would then rest so as to be enfiladed by the line of the enemy, he permitted me to retain the position I had selected. We remained in this position watching the enemy until 3 a. m., when it was determined the line should be changed a very little to the rear, so as to get the advantage of a wing of Gen. Greene's trenches. I was endeavoring to move my regiment, a man at a time, with the utmost caution, when our watchful enemy detected a move, and, supposing we were about to retire, opened fire upon us. My men returned the fire, silencing theirs, and then moved to the position assigned them, awaiting daylight for the work to begin. Picket firing began with the first streak of light, and about 3.45 o'clock the line of the enemy advanced with a yell. We opened fire briskly, quickly compelling them to take the shelter of the rocks and of our own trenches that were in their possession. We continued fighting in this way until 5.55 o'clock, when we were relieved by the Twenty-ninth Regt. Pennsylvania Volunteers, for the purpose of renewing our ammunition. After filling our boxes and wiping our guns, we returned to the same position, and continued the fight until we had again exhausted our ammunition, and were in turn relieved by the Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers. Soon after this, about 1 o'clock, the enemy retired, giving up the contest. In this fight, about half of my regiment was in open line, fighting a desperate enemy behind the very rifle-pits they had built for their own protection. I am proud to say they fought feeling they were Pennsylvanians in Pennsylvania. We expended 160 rounds to the man. I wish to mention as deserving praise for great bravery and coolness, Capt.'s Woeltge, Thomas, and Warner; also that Sergeants [Henry] Dieffenbach, [George] Selkregg, [Andrew W.] Tracy, [Andrew J.] Bemis, [John L.] Wells, and [Mills F.] Allison, and Privates John Hughes and Orrin Sweet deserve mention. We lost in this contest 5 men killed and 16 wounded, lists of which have been forwarded. Most respectfully, your obedient servant, THOS. M. WALKER, Lieut.-Col., Comdg. 111th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Lieut. Thomas J. Leiper, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

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

Pennsylvania 111th Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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