87th Pennsylvania Infantry
Encyclopedia
The 87th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry was an infantry
regiment
that served in the Union Army
during the American Civil War
.
and mustered in for a three year enlistment in September 1861 under the command of Colonel
George Hay.
The regiment was attached to Railroad Guard, Middle Department, to May 1862. Baltimore, Maryland, Middle Department, to June 1862. Railroad Division, VIII Corps, Middle Department, to March 1863. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, VIII Corps, Middle Department, to June 1863. 1st Brigade, Elliott's Command, VIII Corps, to July 1863. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, III Corps, Army of the Potomac
, to March 1864. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, VI Corps, Army of the Potomac and Army of the Shenandoah
, to June 1865.
The 87th Pennsylvania Infantry mustered out of service at Alexandria, Virginia
on June 29, 1865.
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
that served in the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Service
The 87th Pennsylvania Infantry was organized at York, PennsylvaniaYork, Pennsylvania
York, known as the White Rose City , is a city located in York County, Pennsylvania, United States which is in the South Central region of the state. The population within the city limits was 43,718 at the 2010 census, which was a 7.0% increase from the 2000 count of 40,862...
and mustered in for a three year enlistment in September 1861 under the command of Colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
George Hay.
The regiment was attached to Railroad Guard, Middle Department, to May 1862. Baltimore, Maryland, Middle Department, to June 1862. Railroad Division, VIII Corps, Middle Department, to March 1863. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, VIII Corps, Middle Department, to June 1863. 1st Brigade, Elliott's Command, VIII Corps, to July 1863. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, III Corps, Army of the Potomac
Army of the Potomac
The Army of the Potomac was the major Union Army in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War.-History:The Army of the Potomac was created in 1861, but was then only the size of a corps . Its nucleus was called the Army of Northeastern Virginia, under Brig. Gen...
, to March 1864. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, VI Corps, Army of the Potomac and Army of the Shenandoah
Army of the Shenandoah (Union)
The Army of the Shenandoah was a Union army during the American Civil War. First organized in 1861 and then disbanded, it is best known for its recreation in 1864 under Philip Sheridan...
, to June 1865.
The 87th Pennsylvania Infantry mustered out of service at Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
on June 29, 1865.
Detailed service
Guard duty on Northern Central Railroad from Pennsylvania line to Baltimore, Md., September 16, 1861 to May 24, 1862. Duty at Baltimore, Md., until June 23. At New Creek, W. Va., until August 20. Expedition under Gen. Kelly across Laurel Hill and Rich Mountain August 27-September 12. Expedition over Cheat and Allegheny Mountains October 31-November 12. March on Petersburg, W. Va., December 6–9. At Winchester until May 1863. Reconnaissance toward Wardensville and Strasburg April 20. Expedition to Webster May 20. At Winchester until June 15. Reconnaissance toward Strasburg June 10. Middletown June 12. Newtown June 12. Bunker Hill June 13 (Companies G & H). Battles of Winchester June 13–15. Retreat to Harper's Ferry. Escort stores from Harper's Ferry to Washington, D.C., July 1–3. Joined Army of the Potomac and pursuit of Lee July 5–24. Wapping Heights, Manassas Gap, Va., July 23. Bristoe Campaign October 9–22. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7–8. Kelly's Ford November 7. Brandy Station November 8. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Payne's Farm November 27. Reenlisted December 1863. Demonstration on the Rapidan February 6–7, 1864. Rapidan Campaign May 4-June 12, 1864. Battles of the Wilderness May 5–7; Spottsylvania C. H. May 8–21. Assault on the Salient May 12. North Anna River May 23–26. Line of the Pamunkey May 26–28. Totopotomoy May 28–31. Cold Harbor June 1–12. Before Petersburg June 17–18. Siege of Petersburg until July 6. Weldon Railroad June 22–23. Moved to Baltimore, Md., July 6–9. Battle of Monocacy Junction July 9. Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign August 7-December 1. Charlestown August 21–22. Battle of Opequan, Winchester, September 19. Fisher's Hill September 22. (Old members mustered out October 13, 1864.) Battle of Cedar Creek. Duty at Kernstown until December. Moved to Washington, D.C., thence to Petersburg, Va., December 3–7. Siege of Petersburg December 1864 to April 1865. Fort Fisher, Petersburg, March 25, 1865. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. Assault on and fall of Petersburg April 2. Pursuit of Lee April 3–9. Appomattox C. H. April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. March to Danville April 23–27, and duty there until May 23. March to Richmond, Va., thence to Washington, D.C., May 23-June 3. Corps Review June 8.Casualties
The regiment lost a total of 202 men during service; 10 officers and 80 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 112 enlisted men died of disease.Commanders
- Colonel George Hay
- Colonel John William Schall
- Colonel James Tearney
- Lieutenant ColonelLieutenant Colonel (United States)In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
James Alonzo StahleJames Alonzo StahleJames Alonzo Stahle was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.-Biography:...
- commanded at the battle of Monocacy
Notable members
- Corporal Daniel Peter ReigleDaniel P. ReigleDaniel P. Reigle was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Battle of Cedar Creek fought near Middletown, Virginia on October 19, 1864...
, Company F - Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient for action at the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864; subsequently promoted to sergeant - Corporal Johnston Hastings Skelley, Jr.Jack SkellyJohnston Hastings "Jack" Skelly was a Union soldier—a corporal in the 87th Pennsylvania—who died as a result of injuries in the Second Battle of Winchester. He was the friend, and possibly fiancé, of the only civilian to die in the Battle of Gettysburg, Ginnie Wade...
, Company F - alleged fiancé of Mary Virginia "Ginnie" Wade the only civilian killed at Gettysburg; Skelly was mortally wounded at the second battle of Winchester on the morning of June 15, 1863, at Carter's Woods
See also
- List of Pennsylvania Civil War Units
- Pennsylvania in the Civil WarPennsylvania in the Civil WarDuring the American Civil War, the commonwealth of Pennsylvania played a critical role in the Union, providing a huge supply of military manpower, equipment, and leadership to the Federal government...