PENNSYLVANIA 91ST INFANTRY (Three Years)

Ninety-first Infantry.-Col., Edgar M Gregory; Lieut.Cols., Edward C. Wallace, Joseph H. Sinex, John D Lentz, Eli G. Sellers; Majs. George W. Todd, John D. Lentz, Eli G. Sellers, John F. Casner. This organization was recruited in the fall of 1861, and rendezvoused at Camp Chase, on the Schuylkill, near Philadelphia, where it was mustered into the U. S. service on Dec. 4, 1861, for three years. It left for Washington on Jan. 21, 1862, and did guard and patrol duty at the national capital until April 27, when it moved to Alexandria, where it served as provost guard until Aug. 21. It was assigned to the 1st brigade, 2nd division, 5th corps and entered on the Maryland campaign on Sept. 15, arriving at Antietam on the 18th. In October it shared in a reconnoissance across the Potomac to Shepherdstown; on the 30th moved with the army under Gen. Burnside to Warrenton; was encamped near Falmouth at Stoneman's switch until Dec. 11, and then proceeded to the Phillips house, where the men lay on their arms until the opening of the battle of Fredericksburg. At that battle the regiment charged gallantly with its brigade and did all that brave men could in this, its maiden battle. Its loss in the charge was 2 officers and 87 men. It was among the last troops to recross the Rappahannock, and was engaged until Jan. 28, 1863, in picketing the rear line of Burnside's army. It shared in the "Mud March" and was engaged in various fatigue and picket duties until the beginning of the Chancellorsville campaign. At Chancellorsville, where the command was actively engaged, Capt. Theodore H. Parsons and Lieut. George Black received mortal wounds and Col. Gregory was wounded in the leg. The regiment was at this time a part of the 1st brigade (Tyler's), 3rd division (Humphreys'), 5th corps, commanded by Gen. Meade. It was engaged in railroad guard duty at Stoneman's switch from May 28, to June 4, when it moved to United States ford, and thence to Mount Holly Church and Catlett's station. Gen. Weed now assumed command of the brigade which began its march towards Gettysburg, where it arrived on the morning of July 2. Its loss in this engagement was 2 officers and 19 men. The command was heavily engaged on the afternoon of the 2nd on Little Round Top, where it met with its chief loss. After the battle it participated in the pursuit of Lee's army and during the fall campaign of 1863, was constantly marching and maneuvering, but saw little hard fighting. It shared in the Mine Run campaign and was then assigned to duty along the Rappahannock river and the Orange & Alexandria railroad. On Dec. 26, most of the command reenlisted, those who did not reenlist were transferred to the 155th Pa. and the veterans left for home on furlough in Jan., 1864. The regiment returned to the front on March 2, and went into quarters at Warrenton Junction. On May 4, it started on the Wilderness campaign, being active at the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, the North Anna, Totopotomy and Bethesda Church, finally crossing the James on June 16, and moving up in front of Petersburg. At Cold Harbor the 91st was transferred to the 1st brigade (Col. Seitzer), 1st division. In the first assaults on the Petersburg works the regiment lost 82 men killed and wounded, and a few days later was in action on the Jerusalem plank road. On July 3, the veterans and recruits of the 62nd Pa. were transferred to the 91st, whose ranks had been sadly depleted during the trying campaign of the year. The regiment was then engaged in the work of fortification until the 21st, Col. Gregory commanding the brigade. It was in reserve on the 30th when the mine was exploded and served on garrison duty in the forts until Aug. 18. It shared in the movement against the Weldon railroad, was in action at Peeble's farm, where it charged the enemy's works with the division and captured a fort and a number of prisoners. It remained there strengthening the position until Oct. 8, when it charged and captured the Davis house. On Oct. 14, its depleted ranks were partially filled with 100 drafted recruits, and in the latter part of the month it shared in the advance to Hatcher's run. In Jan., 1865, it participated in the movement to destroy the Weldon railroad, losing several men captured, and in February it again lost heavily at Hatcher's run. It was active in the final campaign, being engaged at Dabney's mill, Gravelly run, Five Forks and Sailor's creek, and was near Appomattox Court House with the 5th corps when the truce was proclaimed. The 5th corps was ordered to receive the enemy's surrender, a ceremony which lasted throughout the entire day of the 9th. From Appomattox the regiment returned to Petersburg, thence to Sutherland station, Richmond and Bailey's cross-roads, where it encamped. It shared in the grand review at Washington and on July 10, was mustered out, returning thence to Philadelphia, where it was finally disbanded after nearly four years of service.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 1

Pennsylvania 91st Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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