PENNSYLVANIA 101ST INFANTRY (Three years)

One Hundred and First Infantry.-Cols. Joseph H. Wilson, David B. Morris, James Sheafer, Lieut.-Cols., David B. Morris, Joseph S. Hoard, David M. Armour, Alexander W. Taylor, Melvin L. Clark; Majs., Joseph S. Hoard, David M. Armour Alexander W. Taylor, David W. Mullin, Henry S. Benner. The 101st regiment, of which seven companies were recruited in the counties of Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence, and three in the counties of Tioga, Bedford and Adams, was organized at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, late in the autumn of 1861 and there mustered into the U. S. service for a three years, term. On Feb. 27, 1862, it left for Washington and was assigned to the 2nd brigade, 3rd division, 4th corps, under Gen. Keyes. On March 28, it moved to Newport News and was soon actively engaged in the operations on the Peninsula. It took part in the siege of Yorktown, the battle of Williamsburg, and in the battle of Fair Oaks its losses were very heavy but the behavior of the men was most heroic. Various details occupied the regiment during the Seven Days' battles, after which it was stationed at Suffolk from Sept. 18, to Dec. 4, when it was ordered to New Berne, N. C., to join the expedition to Goldsboro. The enemy was encountered at Kinston, Whitehall and Goldsboro, but the object of the movement, the destruction of the railroad bridge, was accomplished and the troops returned to New Berne, near which city they went into winter quarters next movement of importance was the relief of Little Washington in April, 1863. After an unsuccessful attempt to reach the city by water another effort was made by land and after a sharp encounter with the enemy at Swift creek a force was able to reach Little Washington. The regiment was stationed at Plymouth from July, 1863, to April, 1864, and there early in 1864 a large proportion of the members reenlisted. It made many excursions into the surrounding country, frequently encountering detachments of Confederate troops, and in March, 1864, was ordered for a short time to Roanoke island. Returning to Plymouth in April, Gen. Hoke's large force approached and after three days' resistance the forts were obliged to surrender, the entire 101st being captured. The officers were imprisoned at Macon and the men at Andersonville. A few afterward escaped, some were exchanged during that summer, but the remainder were held in prison until the summer of 1865, and over half of the number died. Those of the regiment who were absent on leave or with the sick at Roanoke island, with such of the prisoners as were exchanged, kept up the regimental organization and received in March, 1865, eight new companies, which were, however, never incorporated with the original members. The regiment was mustered out at New Berne, N. C., June 25, 1865.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 1

Pennsylvania 101st Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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