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105th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment

January 01, 1970

The 105th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (also known as the "Wildcat Regiment") was an infantry regiment which served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.[1][2] Among the regiment's early recruits was future United States Congressman Albert C. Thompson.

History edit

Organization and early battles edit

The 105th Pennsylvania Infantry was founded by Amor McKnight, a lawyer and resident of Brookville, Pennsylvania, who became one of the state's earliest responders to President Abraham Lincoln's call for volunteers to defend Washington, D.C. following the fall of Fort Sumter to Confederate States Army troops in mid-April 1861. After honorably completing his three months' service as captain of Company I with the 8th Pennsylvania Infantry and honorably mustering out on July 29, 1861,[3] McKnight was then authorized by the state in early August to raise a new regiment. Recruiting for the 105th Pennsylvania then began and was completed that same month. Nicknamed the "Wildcat Regiment" in recognition of the unit's large membership from the Wildcat Congressional District in Jefferson, the 105th Pennsylvania was also staffed by a large contingent of men from Clarion County.[4] Commissioned as a colonel, McKnight was placed in charge of the regiment after its men mustered in at Pittsburgh on September 9, 1861.[5] Serving under him as field and staff officers were: W. W. Corbett, lieutenant colonel, and M. M. Dick, major.[6]

The regimental band was a 24-piece brass ensemble whose members ranged in age from 19 to 43. It was conducted and commanded by Calvin B. Clark.[7][8]

Ordered to support the defenses of Washington, the regiment was transported south that fall and initially pitched its tents at Camp Kalorama on the Kalorama Heights in Georgetown, District of Columbia before it was reassigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, III Corps and moved to Camp Jameson, which was located roughly a mile south of Alexandria, Virginia on the farm of Revolutionary War patriot George Mason.[9][10]

Leaving camp on March 17, 1862, the regiment took part in the siege of Yorktown and the battles of Williamsburg and Fair Oaks. In the latter engagement, the troops fought like veterans, holding their position unsupported until nearly surrounded. Three companies were on special duty at the opening of the action and, being unable to reach the regiment in its exposed position, fought with the 57th Pennsylvania Infantry. After a month spent on picket duty, the 105th was again in action at Glendale and Malvern Hill, and, by the time it reached Harrison's Landing, the ranks were so reduced by wounds and sickness that less than 100 men were fit for active duty.[11][12]

While posted along the railroad between Manassas and Warrenton Junction, companies B, G, and H were captured by the Confederates. The 1st and Hooker's divisions were engaged at Bristoe Station on August 29. The following day, the entire army was in action at Second Bull Run, where once more, the gallant work of the 105th resulted in significant losses. The regiment was specially complimented by Maj. Gen. Philip Kearny for its gallantry. September and October were spent in Washington. The command left the nation's capital on October 28 and, after some scouting near Leesburg, arrived at Falmouth on November 24. The 105th's next battle was at Fredericksburg, after which it spent the winter in camp near Brandy Station.[13][14]

1863 and 1864 battles and campaigns edit

At the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863, the troops were warmly engaged, and many won the Kearny Medal of Honor (the Kearny Cross). The first two weeks of June were spent at Banks Ford, and then the troops started northward. At the Battle of Gettysburg, the regiment lost many men, and, after the return to Virginia, engagements followed at Auburn, Kelly's Ford, and Locust Grove in the Mine Run campaign late in November. At the end of that campaign, the regiment returned to the camp at Brandy Station for the winter, and, on December 28, 1863, nearly the entire regiment re-enlisted.[15][16]

The regiment fought at the battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania in May 1864, during which Capt. Alexander H. Mitchell, who had previously been awarded the Kearny Badge for his distinguished service at Chancellorsville, was wounded in action while capturing the enemy’s flag during a hand-to-hand encounter with the color-bearer of the 18th North Carolina Infantry, a second act of valor for which Mitchell would later be awarded the U.S. Medal of Honor.[17][18]

The regiment then moved to Petersburg with the army, where it took part in the operations of the X Corps in August and the movements upon the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad in October and December. On September 5, the remainder of the 63rd was added to the regiment.[19][20]

The end of the war edit

On February 20, 1865, the 105th absorbed Company C of the 2nd United States Volunteer Sharpshooter Regiment, which was disbanded on that date, and in March 1865, about 300 recruits were received. At Sailor's Creek, the 105th was actively engaged, after which it returned to Alexandria. It participated in the Grand Review of the Armies at Washington and was mustered out in that city on July 11, 1865.[21][22]

Out of a total enrollment of 2,040, the regiment lost 309 men by death from wounds or disease, and 199 soldiers were reported as missing.

Senior officers edit

  • Colonels
    • Amor A. McKnight
    • William W. Corbett
    • Calvin A. Craig
    • James Miller
  • Lieutenant Colonels
    • William W. Corbett
    • Calvin A. Craig
    • J. W. Greenawalt
    • L. B. Duff
    • Oliver C. Reddie
  • Majors
    • Mungo M. Dick
    • J. W. Greenawalt
    • Levi B. Duff
    • John C. Conser
    • James Miller

Other notable members edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Bates, Samuel P. History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-5; Prepared in Compliance with Acts of the Legislature, Vol. III, pp. 779-827. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: B. Singerly, State Printer, 1870.
  2. ^ Scott, Kate, ed. History of Jefferson County with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers. Syracuse, New York; D. Mason & Co., 1888.
  3. ^ "McKnight, Amor A. (I-8 I 3 Mo.)", in "Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866". Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania State Archives.
  4. ^ Bates, History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-5, Vol. III, p. 779.
  5. ^ Scott, History of Jefferson County with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers.
  6. ^ "Registers of Pennsylvania Volunteers (105th Regiment)", in "Records of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs" (Record Group 19). Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
  7. ^ "Roll of N.C. Staff & Band 105th Regiment", in "Registers of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1855", in "Records of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs" (Record Group 19). Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
  8. ^ Scott, History of Jefferson County with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers.
  9. ^ Bates, History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-5, Vol. III, p. 779.
  10. ^ Scott, History of Jefferson County with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers.
  11. ^ Bates, History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-5, Vol. III, pp. 779-781.
  12. ^ Scott, History of Jefferson County with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers.
  13. ^ Bates, History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-5, Vol. III, pp. 781-783.
  14. ^ Scott, History of Jefferson County with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers.
  15. ^ Bates, History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-5, Vol. III, pp. 783-786.
  16. ^ Scott, History of Jefferson County with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers.
  17. ^ ”Mitchell, Alexander H.”, in “Recipients”. Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina: Congressional Medal of Honor Society, retrieved online September 22, 2018.
  18. ^ Bates, Samuel P. History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-5; Prepared in Compliance with Acts of the Legislature, Vol. III, pp. 783-784. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: B. Singerly, State Printer, 1870.
  19. ^ Bates, History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-5, Vol. III, pp. 786-788.
  20. ^ Scott, History of Jefferson County with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers.
  21. ^ Bates, History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-5, Vol. III, p. 788-789.
  22. ^ Scott, History of Jefferson County with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers.

External links edit

  • "Original Photos" (105th Pennsylvania Infantry). 105th Pennsylvania Company E (reenactors' group), retrieved online September 22, 2018.
  • "Original Members of Wildcat Regimental Band 2018-07-14 at the Wayback Machine" (105th Pennsylvania Infantry). Wildcat Regiment Band (reenactors' group website).
  • "The Wildcat Regiment Band" (reenactors' group profile with information regarding the band's history). Sharpsburg, Maryland: Sharpsburg Historical Society, retrieved online September 22, 2018.

Further reading edit

  • Hogan, Edwin P., Waiting for Jacob: A Civil War Story, Latrobe, Pennsylvania: St. Vincent College, 2000. ISBN 1-885851-15-4.

Monuments and other memorials edit

  •  
    105th Pennsylvania Infantry Monument, Gettysburg National Battlefield
  •  
    Pennsylvania State Memorial, Gettysburg National Battlefield
  •  
    Wildcat Regiment Plaque, Pennsylvania State Memorial, Gettysburg National Battlefield

January 01, 1970
105th, pennsylvania, infantry, regiment, 105th, pennsylvania, volunteer, infantry, also, known, wildcat, regiment, infantry, regiment, which, served, union, army, during, american, civil, among, regiment, early, recruits, future, united, states, congressman, a. The 105th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry also known as the Wildcat Regiment was an infantry regiment which served in the Union Army during the American Civil War 1 2 Among the regiment s early recruits was future United States Congressman Albert C Thompson 105th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry105th Pennsylvania Infantry Monument Gettysburg Pennsylvania 1893ActiveOctober 1861 to July 11 1865CountryUnited StatesAllegianceUnionBranchInfantrySize1 992EngagementsBattle of WilliamsburgBattle of Seven PinesBattle of GlendaleBattle of Malvern HillBattle of ChancellorsvilleBattle of GettysburgBattle of the WildernessBattle of Spotsylvania Court HouseFirst Battle of Deep Bottom Contents 1 History 1 1 Organization and early battles 1 2 1863 and 1864 battles and campaigns 1 3 The end of the war 2 Senior officers 3 Other notable members 4 See also 5 References 6 External links 7 Further reading 8 Monuments and other memorialsHistory editOrganization and early battles edit The 105th Pennsylvania Infantry was founded by Amor McKnight a lawyer and resident of Brookville Pennsylvania who became one of the state s earliest responders to President Abraham Lincoln s call for volunteers to defend Washington D C following the fall of Fort Sumter to Confederate States Army troops in mid April 1861 After honorably completing his three months service as captain of Company I with the 8th Pennsylvania Infantry and honorably mustering out on July 29 1861 3 McKnight was then authorized by the state in early August to raise a new regiment Recruiting for the 105th Pennsylvania then began and was completed that same month Nicknamed the Wildcat Regiment in recognition of the unit s large membership from the Wildcat Congressional District in Jefferson the 105th Pennsylvania was also staffed by a large contingent of men from Clarion County 4 Commissioned as a colonel McKnight was placed in charge of the regiment after its men mustered in at Pittsburgh on September 9 1861 5 Serving under him as field and staff officers were W W Corbett lieutenant colonel and M M Dick major 6 The regimental band was a 24 piece brass ensemble whose members ranged in age from 19 to 43 It was conducted and commanded by Calvin B Clark 7 8 Ordered to support the defenses of Washington the regiment was transported south that fall and initially pitched its tents at Camp Kalorama on the Kalorama Heights in Georgetown District of Columbia before it was reassigned to the 1st Brigade 1st Division III Corps and moved to Camp Jameson which was located roughly a mile south of Alexandria Virginia on the farm of Revolutionary War patriot George Mason 9 10 Leaving camp on March 17 1862 the regiment took part in the siege of Yorktown and the battles of Williamsburg and Fair Oaks In the latter engagement the troops fought like veterans holding their position unsupported until nearly surrounded Three companies were on special duty at the opening of the action and being unable to reach the regiment in its exposed position fought with the 57th Pennsylvania Infantry After a month spent on picket duty the 105th was again in action at Glendale and Malvern Hill and by the time it reached Harrison s Landing the ranks were so reduced by wounds and sickness that less than 100 men were fit for active duty 11 12 While posted along the railroad between Manassas and Warrenton Junction companies B G and H were captured by the Confederates The 1st and Hooker s divisions were engaged at Bristoe Station on August 29 The following day the entire army was in action at Second Bull Run where once more the gallant work of the 105th resulted in significant losses The regiment was specially complimented by Maj Gen Philip Kearny for its gallantry September and October were spent in Washington The command left the nation s capital on October 28 and after some scouting near Leesburg arrived at Falmouth on November 24 The 105th s next battle was at Fredericksburg after which it spent the winter in camp near Brandy Station 13 14 1863 and 1864 battles and campaigns edit At the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863 the troops were warmly engaged and many won the Kearny Medal of Honor the Kearny Cross The first two weeks of June were spent at Banks Ford and then the troops started northward At the Battle of Gettysburg the regiment lost many men and after the return to Virginia engagements followed at Auburn Kelly s Ford and Locust Grove in the Mine Run campaign late in November At the end of that campaign the regiment returned to the camp at Brandy Station for the winter and on December 28 1863 nearly the entire regiment re enlisted 15 16 The regiment fought at the battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania in May 1864 during which Capt Alexander H Mitchell who had previously been awarded the Kearny Badge for his distinguished service at Chancellorsville was wounded in action while capturing the enemy s flag during a hand to hand encounter with the color bearer of the 18th North Carolina Infantry a second act of valor for which Mitchell would later be awarded the U S Medal of Honor 17 18 The regiment then moved to Petersburg with the army where it took part in the operations of the X Corps in August and the movements upon the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad in October and December On September 5 the remainder of the 63rd was added to the regiment 19 20 The end of the war edit On February 20 1865 the 105th absorbed Company C of the 2nd United States Volunteer Sharpshooter Regiment which was disbanded on that date and in March 1865 about 300 recruits were received At Sailor s Creek the 105th was actively engaged after which it returned to Alexandria It participated in the Grand Review of the Armies at Washington and was mustered out in that city on July 11 1865 21 22 Out of a total enrollment of 2 040 the regiment lost 309 men by death from wounds or disease and 199 soldiers were reported as missing Senior officers editColonels Amor A McKnight William W Corbett Calvin A Craig James Miller Lieutenant Colonels William W Corbett Calvin A Craig J W Greenawalt L B Duff Oliver C Reddie Majors Mungo M Dick J W Greenawalt Levi B Duff John C Conser James MillerOther notable members editAlexander H Mitchell captain company A Recipient of the Kearny Cross and U S Medal of Honor James George Mitchell drummer boy and private company A Pennsylvania State Senator 1893 1900See also edit nbsp American Civil War portal Pennsylvania in the Civil War List of Pennsylvania Civil War regimentsReferences edit Bates Samuel P History of Pennsylvania Volunteers 1861 5 Prepared in Compliance with Acts of the Legislature Vol III pp 779 827 Harrisburg Pennsylvania B Singerly State Printer 1870 Scott Kate ed History of Jefferson County with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers Syracuse New York D Mason amp Co 1888 McKnight Amor A I 8 I 3 Mo in Civil War Veterans Card File 1861 1866 Harrisburg Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State Archives Bates History of Pennsylvania Volunteers 1861 5 Vol III p 779 Scott History of Jefferson County with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers Registers of Pennsylvania Volunteers 105th Regiment in Records of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Record Group 19 Harrisburg Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Roll of N C Staff amp Band 105th Regiment in Registers of Pennsylvania Volunteers 1861 1855 in Records of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Record Group 19 Harrisburg Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Scott History of Jefferson County with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers Bates History of Pennsylvania Volunteers 1861 5 Vol III p 779 Scott History of Jefferson County with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers Bates History of Pennsylvania Volunteers 1861 5 Vol III pp 779 781 Scott History of Jefferson County with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers Bates History of Pennsylvania Volunteers 1861 5 Vol III pp 781 783 Scott History of Jefferson County with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers Bates History of Pennsylvania Volunteers 1861 5 Vol III pp 783 786 Scott History of Jefferson County with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers Mitchell Alexander H in Recipients Mt Pleasant South Carolina Congressional Medal of Honor Society retrieved online September 22 2018 Bates Samuel P History of Pennsylvania Volunteers 1861 5 Prepared in Compliance with Acts of the Legislature Vol III pp 783 784 Harrisburg Pennsylvania B Singerly State Printer 1870 Bates History of Pennsylvania Volunteers 1861 5 Vol III pp 786 788 Scott History of Jefferson County with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers Bates History of Pennsylvania Volunteers 1861 5 Vol III p 788 789 Scott History of Jefferson County with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers External links edit Original Photos 105th Pennsylvania Infantry 105th Pennsylvania Company E reenactors group retrieved online September 22 2018 Original Members of Wildcat Regimental Band Archived 2018 07 14 at the Wayback Machine 105th Pennsylvania Infantry Wildcat Regiment Band reenactors group website The Wildcat Regiment Band reenactors group profile with information regarding the band s history Sharpsburg Maryland Sharpsburg Historical Society retrieved online September 22 2018 Further reading editHogan Edwin P Waiting for Jacob A Civil War Story Latrobe Pennsylvania St Vincent College 2000 ISBN 1 885851 15 4 Monuments and other memorials edit nbsp 105th Pennsylvania Infantry Monument Gettysburg National Battlefield nbsp Pennsylvania State Memorial Gettysburg National Battlefield nbsp Wildcat Regiment Plaque Pennsylvania State Memorial Gettysburg National Battlefield Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 105th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment amp oldid 1069271085, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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