PENNSYLVANIA 66TH INFANTRY

Sixty-sixth Infantry.-Col., John Patrick, Lieut.-Col., James B. Freeman; Maj., Algernon S. Patrick. The 66th was never completely organized and after a nominal existence of about 8 months ceased to exist as a separate organization. Toward the end of May, 1861, Alfred W. Chantry, of Philadelphia, was given verbal authority by the secretary of war to recruit a regiment for three years, service. Vexatious delays ensued before the men could be mustered in and many of them joined other commands. Moreover, the government had no clothing to issue to the men and it was only through the generosity of a private citizen of Philadelphia, Benjamin L Berry, that complete outfits of grey cloth were supplied to the officers and men. Finally, the first company was mustered in on July 1, and by the end of the month four more were mustered in. John Patrick was chosen lieutenant-colonel on July 26, and James B. Freeman, major. On Aug. 24, at the earnest solicitation of Col. Slifer, secretary of state, the five companies mustered in proceeded to Washington under the command of Col. Chantry, and were there assigned to Fitz John Porter's provisional division. Additional companies recruited in Philadelphia joined the regiment and on Sept. 20, it was attached to Gen. Banks, army at Darnestown, Md., where it was assigned to Abercrombie's brigade. With its division, it moved to Frederick, Md., in November and went into winter quarters. In October its maximum strength was only 620 officers and men and the following January Col. Chantry was relieved of his command as he had not succeeded in recruiting the regiment to the maximum standard. Meantime, by order of the war department, it was made a part of the state's quota, and was numbered the 66th of the line, having been previously known as the 30th. Col. Patrick and a number of the other officers resigned their commissions in Feb., 1862. Such was the disorganized condition of the regiment, in addition to its lack of numbers, that on March 1, Gov. Curtin ordered that it be disbanded and the enlisted men transferred to the 73rd and 99th Pa. infantry. This was done despite the mutinous opposition of the men. Cos. B, D and C were transferred to the 73rd , A and G to the 99th; E, F and K were disbanded and the men divided among the companies of the 73rd.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 1

Pennsylvania 66th Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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