Famous Battles
The 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry fought in many battles during the Civil War. Their efforts had a substantial impact on the Union victory in the war. No matter how small some of their battles may have seemed, they risked their lives and influenced our history into what it is today.
The 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry fought in their first major battle, that lasted from May 31, 1862 to June 1, 1862, at the battle of Fair Oaks, also referred to as the Battle of Seven Pines. In this war, the regiment lost seven officers and one hundred thirty six men in heavy fighting, including three color bearers. Lieutenant Colonel John Ely was severely wounded and Colonel Neill had his horse shot from under him. Although the battle was considered inconclusive, their efforts helped and impacted the Union greatly.
The regiment also fought in the Battle of Fredericksburg in the year 1862. It lasted from December 12 to December 15.The regiment was under the command of Major Glenn, as Colonel Neill had recently been promoted to brigadier general. The regiment was assembled for the final charge but it was cancelled, and they ended up only suffering two casualties. Lieutenant Colonel Ely returned from his temporary absence and was commissioned colonel on the 13th. Major Glenn was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. The Union lost this battle.
From July 2 to July 4 the regiment fought in one of the toughest battles yet. The brutal Battle of Gettysburg. Five hundred thirty eight men were brought to field by Lieutenant Colonel John F. Glenn. In the battle, two officers and twenty nine of the enlisted men were killed and wounded. In this war, Captain John B. Fassett of Company F earned the Medal of Honor for his activeness on the battlefield, and was the only recipient from this regiment to receive this award. He gained this medal from voluntarily leading the regiment to relief of a battery and recapture its guns from the enemy. Their efforts lead to a victory in this battle.
A year later, the 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry fought hard in the Battle of Cold Harbor from June 1 to June 12. The regiment charged five hundred yards across open ground, and fought for twenty-five minutes in the Confederate works, but were forced to retreat fifty yards. Sadly, the regiment suffered heavy losses in this short time. Four officers and seventy one enlisted men were killed. Five other officers and one hundred and eleven enlisted men were wounded. Captain Henry Marchant, Lieutenants James Johnson, John D. Boyd and James G. Williamson were captured during this period of time.
Throughout the war, the 23rd Pennsylvania fought bravely, and weren’t afraid to attack despite the fact that death was in the air. Their dedication and hard work paved the path to the eventual triumph of the Union.
The 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry fought in their first major battle, that lasted from May 31, 1862 to June 1, 1862, at the battle of Fair Oaks, also referred to as the Battle of Seven Pines. In this war, the regiment lost seven officers and one hundred thirty six men in heavy fighting, including three color bearers. Lieutenant Colonel John Ely was severely wounded and Colonel Neill had his horse shot from under him. Although the battle was considered inconclusive, their efforts helped and impacted the Union greatly.
The regiment also fought in the Battle of Fredericksburg in the year 1862. It lasted from December 12 to December 15.The regiment was under the command of Major Glenn, as Colonel Neill had recently been promoted to brigadier general. The regiment was assembled for the final charge but it was cancelled, and they ended up only suffering two casualties. Lieutenant Colonel Ely returned from his temporary absence and was commissioned colonel on the 13th. Major Glenn was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. The Union lost this battle.
From July 2 to July 4 the regiment fought in one of the toughest battles yet. The brutal Battle of Gettysburg. Five hundred thirty eight men were brought to field by Lieutenant Colonel John F. Glenn. In the battle, two officers and twenty nine of the enlisted men were killed and wounded. In this war, Captain John B. Fassett of Company F earned the Medal of Honor for his activeness on the battlefield, and was the only recipient from this regiment to receive this award. He gained this medal from voluntarily leading the regiment to relief of a battery and recapture its guns from the enemy. Their efforts lead to a victory in this battle.
A year later, the 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry fought hard in the Battle of Cold Harbor from June 1 to June 12. The regiment charged five hundred yards across open ground, and fought for twenty-five minutes in the Confederate works, but were forced to retreat fifty yards. Sadly, the regiment suffered heavy losses in this short time. Four officers and seventy one enlisted men were killed. Five other officers and one hundred and eleven enlisted men were wounded. Captain Henry Marchant, Lieutenants James Johnson, John D. Boyd and James G. Williamson were captured during this period of time.
Throughout the war, the 23rd Pennsylvania fought bravely, and weren’t afraid to attack despite the fact that death was in the air. Their dedication and hard work paved the path to the eventual triumph of the Union.
