PENNSYLVANIA ONE HUNDRED and FORTIETH INFANTRY (Three Years)

One Hundred and Fortieth Infantry. Cols., Richard P. Roberts, John Fraser Lieut.-Cols., John Fraser, Thomas B. Rodgers ; Majs., Thomas B. Rodgers, Thomas Henry. The 140th was recruited in the counties of Greene, Mercer, Washington and Beaver and rendezvoused at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, where it was mustered into the U. S. service from Aug. 22 to Sept. 4, 1862, for three years. On Sept. 10, it left the state for Parkton, Md., and guarded the line of the North Central railroad for some time. While posted here it was thoroughly drilled and disciplined and in December joined the army just after the defeat at Fredericksburg. It was assigned to the 3d brigade, 1st division, 2nd corps, and encamped at Falmouth. Here it was only too glad to exchange the old Vincennes muskets for new Springfield rifles. It participated with credit in the battle of Chancellorsville, where its losses were 44 killed, wounded and missing, and then returned to Falmouth. It arrived at Gettysburg on the morning of July 2 and lost heavily in the fierce fighting at the wheatfield. Its total losses during the battle were 241, more than half its effective strength, Col. Roberts being among the killed. In the ensuing campaigns in Virginia it was assigned to the 1st brigade under Col. Miles was active at Bristoe Station, and skirmished with some loss in the Mine Run movement. It then re-crossed the Rapidan and went into winter quarters until May 3, 1864, when it started on the sanguinary spring campaign. It lost heavily at the Wilderness; skirmished at Corbin's bridge; was engaged on the 9th at the Po river; its losses up to this time aggregating about 75. In two fierce engagements at Spottsylvania, on the 11th and 18th, the loss of the 140th was more than 100. It was also engaged at the North Anna river, suffered some loss at Totopotomy creek and again at Cold Harbor. Crossing the James, it shared with loss in the two assaults on Petersburg on June 16-17, and a few days later was engaged on the Jerusalem plank road. Late in July it crossed to the north side of the James and took part in the action at Deep Bottom, was engaged at Strawberry Plains and Reams, station in August; had its full share in all the subsequent operations of the corps, being active before Petersburg in September and in the expeditions to Hatcher's run in December. It fought at Dabney's mill in Feb., 1865, started on the final campaign on March 25; was engaged for four days at Hatcher's run; and participated in the final assault on Petersburg April 2. Joining in the pursuit, it was engaged at Sailor's creek, and fought its last battle at Farmville. Returning to the neighborhood of Washington after Lee's surrender, it was mustered out of service, with the exception of the recruits, at Alexandria, Va., May 30, 1865. Source: The Union Army, vol. 1 Gettysburg after battle report: Reports of Lieut. Col. John Fraser, One hundred and fortieth Pennsylvania Infantry, commanding regiment and Third Brigade. Hdqrs. 140th Regt. Pennsylvania Volunteers, August 8, 1863. Maj.: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Third Brigade in the recent engagement with the enemy at Gettysburg, Pa.: On the morning of July 2, this brigade arrived on the battle-field, under the command of Brig.-Gen. Zook, and was placed in order of column in rear of the Second Brigade. About 4 p. m. on same day, the brigade was marched rapidly toward the left, to assist the Third Corps, which was at the time engaged with the enemy. When the brigade arrived nearly opposite the position assigned to it, it was formed in order of battle, having the One hundred and fortieth Pennsylvania Volunteers on the extreme right, the Sixty-sixth New York Volunteers in the center, the Fifty-second New York Volunteers on the left, and the Fifty-seventh New York Volunteers a short distance in the rear as a reserve, and was moved rapidly forward to engage the enemy. The brigade advanced steadily, driving the enemy before it, until it reached its most advanced position on the crest of a small hill. It held this position until it became necessary to retreat, the enemy having brought forward fresh troops, who succeeded in flanking us on the right and left. The retreat, however, did not commence before it had become general on other parts of the line. Shortly after the close of this action, July 2, the brigade assembled, and was formed in line of battle in the position assigned to it, on the left center of the battle-field, about 50 paces in rear of the Second Brigade. The severe and long-continued artillery fire which the enemy opened on us preparatory to their fruitless attack upon the left center, on the afternoon of July 3, inflicted no loss on the brigade. It was unnecessary for the brigade to take an active part in this engagement, the enemy having failed to advance beyond our picket line. The conduct of officers and men deserves very high commendation. In the action of July 2, the brigade lost its highly esteemed general, several gallant officers, and a large number of brave men. A list of casualties has been already forwarded.* I have the honor to be, major, yours, respectfully, JOHN FRASER, Lieut. Col. 140th Pennsylvania Vols., Comdg. Third Brig. Maj. John Hancock, Assistant Adjutant-Gen., First Division. ----Hdqrs. 140th Pennsylvania Volunteers, August 7, 1863. Capt.: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the One hundred and fortieth Regt. Pennsylvania Volunteers in the recent engagements at Gettysburg, Pa.: On the morning of July 2, this regiment, under the command of Col. R. P. Roberts, arrived on the battle-ground, where it remained for several hours in order of columns by wings, right wing in front, a few paces in rear of the Second Brigade. About 4 p. m. the brigade was marched rapidly to the left, to assist the Third Corps, which was then sustaining a fierce attack. When it arrived nearly opposite the place assigned to it, the brigade was formed in line of battle, with the One hundred and fortieth Pennsylvania Volunteers on the extreme right, and was moved rapidly forward to engage the enemy. As soon as the order was given, this regiment opened a brisk fire, which it kept up with great firmness and coolness, steadily driving the enemy before it until we reached the crest of a small hill. During the advance to this crest, the four left companies of this regiment, with the regiments to the left, gradually made a considerable wheel to the right. Shortly after reaching the crest, I observed a great many to the left of this brigade moving rapidly to the rear, and the rebels, apparently fresh troops, in large numbers and in good order marching to outflank us on the right. Anxious to know what orders Gen. Zook had to give in the crisis, I sent twice to get instructions from him, but neither the general nor any of his staff could be found. I did not know at the time, nor until after the fight was over, that Gen. Zook had been mortally wounded when leading the brigade into action. Inferring, from the large numbers of men who to the left of my regiment were continuously rushing to the rear, that a large portion of our division was actually retreating, I judged it necessary for the safety of those who had wheeled considerably into the enemy's ground to maintain my position and keep the enemy at bay as long as possible. I therefore held my position until I considered it necessary to order my men to march in retreat, which they did at first in good order, the four right companies halting several times, and firing, to check the pursuit of the enemy. After this engagement on the 2d, the regiment assembled with the rest of the brigade, and formed in line of battle on the left center of the battle-ground and about 50 paces in rear of the Second Brigade. On the morning of July 3, the regiment, pursuant to orders, constructed breastworks immediately in front of its line. The severe and long-continued artillery fire which the rebels opened upon us prior to their fruitless attack upon our position in the afternoon of this day, did no harm to any one in the regiment. Col. Roberts was killed while bravely leading on his men at the commencement of the action on July 2. The conduct of officers and men in these engagements at Gettysburg deserves the highest praise. A list of the heavy casualties of the regiment has been already forwarded.* I have the honor to be, captain, yours, respectfully, JOHN FRASER, Lieut.-Col. 140th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Capt. George W. Jones, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Third Brigade.

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

Pennsylvania 140th Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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