PENNSYLVANIA ONE HUNDRED and THIRTY-SECOND INFANTRY (Nine Months)

One Hundred and Thirty-second Infantry. Cols., Richard A. Oakford, Vincent M. Wilcox, Charles Albright ; Lieut.-Cols., Vincent M. Wilcox, Charles Albright, Joseph E. Shreve; Majs., Charles Albright, Joseph E. Shreve, Fred L. Hitchcock. This regiment, from the north-central part of the state, was mustered into the U. S. service at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, Aug. 11-18, 1862, for nine months. Col. Oakford had commanded the 15th regiment in the three months, service, and the rank and file were of good physique. It left the state for Washington on Aug. 19, encamped near Fort Corcoran on its arrival, and there engaged in the work of drill and preparation. On Sept. 2 it moved to Rockville, Md. where it was assigned to Kimball's brigade, French's division, Sumner's corps, which arrived at South mountain too late to share in the battle. The regiment suffered severely in its first battle, that of Antietam, losing 30 killed, 114 wounded and 8 missing. Col. Oakford and Lieut. Cranmer were among the killed. It then moved with the corps to Bolivar heights and during October shared in reconnaissance's to Leesburg and Charlestown. Nov. 6 found it at Falmouth, whence it was detached for duty at Belle Plain for a month. As a part of the 3d brigade, 3d division, 2nd corps, it was engaged in the battle of Fredericksburg, losing 15O out of 340 men engaged, but behaving like a veteran regiment. Gen. French complimented the troops very highly in orders for their heroism in the two battles of Antietam and Fredericksburg. It remained in winter quarters at Falmouth until the close of April, 1863, and then engaged in the battle of Chancellorsville where it was in reserve the first 2 days, but was active at the front on May 3 and 4, its loss being about 50. On May 14 its term expired and it was mustered out at Harrisburg on the 24th. Source: The Union Army, vol. 1 Antietam after battle report: Report of Lieut. Col. Vincent M. Wilcox, One hundred and thirty-second Pennsylvania Infantry, of the battle of Antietam. HDQRS. 132nd REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS, Battle-field, Nuger Spring, Md., September 19, 1862. DEAR SIR: I beg leave to submit to you the following account of the part which our regiment took in the great contest of the 17th instant: We were ordered by you to take up the line of march about 6 o'clock a. m., and were formed in line of battle at 7 o'clock. We were brought under fire a little before 8 o'clock, and although ours was a new regiment, not yet organized a month and never before in sight of the enemy, still they behaved like veterans and well-disciplined troops. We brought into action 750 men, and brought out 364 men, exclusive of officers. Quite early in the action Col. Richard A. Oakford fell, mortally wounded, and died in a few minutes. In this death the country has lost a noble, able, and experienced officer. The command then devolved upon me, and I cannot here too highly express my thanks and admiration for the assistance rendered me by Maj. Charles Albright and Adjt. F. L. Hitchcock. They never left the field for a moment, but by their coolness and bravery assisted me greatly in inspiring the men with that courage which it was necessary for men to possess under so severe a fire as that to which they were subjected. Where all do so well it would be invidious to show distinctions or particularize names, and hence, in justice to the line officers, I must say that all performed their duty nobly and well, exhibiting the greatest firmness and bravery. Lieut. Cranmer, Company C, advanced, with musket in hand, at the head of this company to the front, and fell, mortally wounded, while setting a splendid example of coolness and courage to his men. Capt. Abbott, Company G, fell, dangerously wounded, while fighting most gallantly at the very front of the line. Gen., you directed me to hold the eminence in front of the rifle-pit at all hazards, and not to fall back until ordered by you, and I am happy to say that it was done, although at a fearful sacrifice. The men were supplied with 60 rounds of ammunition, and exhausted their supply, and took the cartridges from the dead and wounded, and kept up the fire against the enemy. He tried upon several occasions to outflank us, but the sure and deadly aim of our men drove him back to his rifle-pits in disorder. At last he exhibited a white flag, but in violation of that flag kept up an incessant fire of shell and musketry, and quite a number were killed and wounded thereby. When our men were nearly exhausted of strength and ammunition, you directed me to fix bayonets and charge upon the rifle-pits, but at this moment the Irish Brigade came up and joined our men in the charge. They drove the enemy from their stronghold and captured some 300 prisoners, including a number of officers, among them Lieut.-Col. Nisbet, of Macon, Ga., all of whom were sent to the rear. We stood up in front of the enemy for nearly four and a half hours, and when re-enforcements came (which must have been at about 12 o'clock m.), the tide of battle had turned, and I considered the field ours. Our colors were planted in advance of any on the field, and were finally waved over the enemy's rifle-pits, and brought back, riddled by his balls, in triumph. The men under my command are entitled to honorable mention, which I trust they will receive at your hands. Below I append a list of my killed and wounded.* I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, V. M. WILCOX, Lieut.-Col., Commanding. Brig.-Gen. KIMBALL, Commanding First Brigade, French's Division, Sumner's Corps.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 19. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 27

Pennsylvania 132nd Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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