PENNSYLVANIA 114TH INFANTRY (Three Years)

One Hundred and Fourteenth Infantry.-Col., Charles H. T. Collis Lieut.-Cols., Frederick F. Cavada, Edward R. Bowen; Majs., Joseph S Chandler, Edward R. Bowen, Henry M. Eddy. The 114th was recruited at Philadelphia in Aug., 1862, and on the last day of the month left for Washington, where its organization was completed. It was mustered into the U.S. service for a three years' term. Co. A had already seen service as an independent company, known as the Zouaves d'Afrique, which was mustered into the U.S. service on Aug. 17, 1861. It had served with Gen. Banks and was highly complimented by him for efficiency. It joined his army at Darnestown, Md., spent the winter at Frederick and was active at Middletown, Cedar mountain, the second Bull Run, Chantilly and Antietam. At Gen. Banks' suggestion a Zouave regiment was organized and the 114th was the result. This regiment was held in Washington and assigned to the 1st brigade, 1st division, 3rd corps. In October, it joined the corps at Poolesville, moved to Falmouth, fought at Fredericksburg, shared in the "Mud March" and went into camp near Potomac creek. It was active at Chancellorsville, losing heavily, after which it returned to camp near Falmouth. At Gettysburg the regiment was placed in an exposed position, near the Sherfy house, which it held valiantly during the heavy fighting on July 2, until late in the afternoon when it was forced to retire and a new position was occupied by the brigade upon the line between Cemetery hill and Little Round Top. Moving into Virginia with the army, engagements followed during the fall and early winter at Wapping heights, Kelly's ford, Auburn and Rappahannock Station and winter quarters were established at Brandy Station. For special merit the 114th was chosen by Gen. Meade to guard his headquarters and it formed later, one of seven regiments detailed for duty under Col. Collis at the headquarters of Gen. Grant. In the Wilderness campaign it was frequently selected for difficult details and for its part in the defense of headquarters when attacked at Guiney's station it was complimented especially by Gen. Meade and Gen. Grant, who witnessed the action. It continued on duty at headquarters at Petersburg until March 15, 1865, when it was ordered to City Point for picket duty for a fortnight. In the final assault on Petersburg, April 2, it won the intrenchments opposite Fort Hell, sustaining severe loss. Returning to Washington after the surrender, it was mustered out of the service on May 29, 1865. Source: The Union Army, vol. 1 Gettysburg after battle report: Report of Capt. Edward R. Bowen, One hundred and fourteenth Pennsylvania Infantry. Fox's Gap, South Mountain, Md., July 12, 1863. Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the One hundred and fourteenth Regt. Pennsylvania Volunteers in the recent operations against the enemy, near Gettysburg, Pa.: On July 1, the regiment left Emmitsburg, Md., at about 2 p. m., and moved in the direction of Gettysburg, which place we reached at about 7 p. m., and encamped on the south side of the town. The regiment moved to the front on the morning of the 2d, and at 1 p. m. advanced to the front of the woods and formed with the brigade a line of battle, in columns doubled on the center, to the left and rear of the Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers. Clark's (First New Jersey) battery then took up a position in front, and opened on the enemy. We remained here until ordered to advance with the brigade, maintaining the same position to the Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers until we reached an oat-field, where we were ordered to deploy, which we did, the One hundred and fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers being on our right and the Sixty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers on our left. At this moment we were ordered to lie down. The enemy then opened on us with his batteries, and for about two and a half hours we lay under a most severe fire, losing, however, but few men, the enemy's range being too high. Capt. Randolph, chief of artillery of the corps, at this moment rode up to the regiment, and ordered us to advance, saying, "If you want to save my battery, move forward. I cannot find the general. I give the order on my own responsibility." We then advanced, passing through his battery, which immediately limbered up and went to the rear, and the regiment, crossing the road, formed a line of battle, our line on the right joining the Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers. Seeing the enemy advancing in force, I ordered the right wing of the regiment to advance to the rear of the brick house, and attempted to form a line with the Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, who were already there. In this I was but partially successful, as the enemy had already advanced so quickly and in such force as to gain the road, and, pouring a murderous fire on our flank, threw the left wing of the regiment on to the right in much confusion. I attempted to rally the regiment across the road, but could not succeed in doing so, the enemy advancing so rapidly and my men falling in such numbers as to prevent my succeeding in doing so. I succeeded, however, in rallying a number around the colors, and brought them off, but, in doing so, got separated from the brigade, and night coming on, I was unable to find them, although I used every effort to do so. I remained where I was until early daylight of the 3d, when I rejoined the brigade, and we lay all the morning of the 3d in the woods, where we were supplied with rations, and remained until about 3 p. m., when I was ordered to move up to the right by the double-quick, being detached from the brigade to support Cowan's (First New York) battery. At this time, Col. Madill, of the One hundred and forty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, assumed command of the brigade, and I took command of his regiment and my own. At about 7 p. m. I was ordered to get ready to be relieved, and to send to the front a detail to collect the arms which had been left there. We collected about 300 pieces. At about 8 p. m. I rejoined the brigade, and went to the extreme front, where we remained until 8 o'clock next morning, the 4th instant, when I again made a detail to gather up arms. We lay in rear of the batteries all that day and night, and next morning marched to the rear in the woods, where we remained until 4 a. m. of the 6th instant, when we marched toward Emmitsburg, Md. While falling back from the brick house on to the road, and very hotly pressed by the enemy, I saw Lieut.-Col. Cavada, who was then commanding the regiment, stopping at a log house in an orchard on our right. I inquired if he was wounded; he replied that he was not, but utterly exhausted. I begged him to make an effort to come on, as the enemy were only a few yards from him and advancing rapidly. He replied that he could not, and I left him there, and not having heard from him since, I have no doubt he was taken prisoner there. I assumed command of the regiment at this time. I also report a number of men as missing whom I have no doubt were killed and their bodies burned when the barn was burned down, and some, I have no doubt, were taken prisoners at the brick house, among them 2 second lieutenants. In closing this report, I beg leave to ask that it may be remembered that I was not in command of the regiment until after Lieut.-Col. Cavada's capture, and that consequently the report of all that precedes is compiled solely from my own observations and memory. It affords me great pleasure to testify to the great gallantry and cool courage of Brig.-Gen. Graham, commanding the First Brigade, First Division, Third Corps, of which my regiment is a part, and to express my regret, in which I am joined by all the officers of my regiment, at his having been wounded, and trust that, his wound proving slight, he will soon return to again lead us to victory. I am also happy to be able to mention Capt.'s [Francis] Fix and Eddy, the former of whom received a painful wound, and also Lieut.'s Robinson, Newlin, and A. W. Fix, for their bravery and efficient assistance during the engagement. I am, sir, your most obedient servant, E. R. BOWEN, Capt., Comdg. 114th Pennsylvania Vols. Lieut. R. Dale Benson, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

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

Pennsylvania 114th Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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