84th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry

Historical Sketch:
Cols., William G. Murray, Samuel M. Bowman; Lieut.-Cols., Thomas C. MacDowell, Walter Barrett, Thomas H. Craig, Milton Opp, George Zinn; Majs., Walter Barrett, Thomas H. Craig, Milton Opp, George Zinn, Samuel Bryan. The 84th regiment, composed of men from the counties of Blair, Lycoming, Clearfield, Dauphin, Columbia, Cameron and Westmoreland, was recruited in the late summer and early fall of 1861. It rendezvoused first at Camp Grossman, Huntingdon, and afterwards at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, where it was organized towards the close of October, and before the end of the year all the men were mustered into the U. S. service for three years. On Dec. 31, 1861, it left for Hancock, Md., and on its arrival there on Jan. 2, 1862, crossed the Potomac and moved to Bath. Here it was confronted by the enemy under Stonewall Jackson and fell back to Hancock, moving thence to Cumberland. During the remainder of the winter the command was posted along the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, but in March it moved to Winchester, where it was heavily engaged as a part of the forces commanded by Gen. Shields. Its loss in the battle was 23 killed and 67 wounded out of 260 engaged. Col. Murray, Capt. Gallagher and Lieut. Reem were among the killed. It served on provost duty at Berryville until May 2 ; skirmished on the 31st at Front Royal; was again engaged at Port Republic in June; then remained encamped at Alexandria until July, when under the command of Col. Bowman it joined Pope's army, and was assigned to Carroll's brigade, Ricketts' division, McDowell's corps. It was only slightly engaged at Cedar mountain, but fought bravely throughout the day at the second battle of Bull Run. Only a fragment of the regiment was fit for duty when it reached Washington, and on account of its reduced condition it remained at Arlington Heights during the Antietam campaign. While here its ranks were filled by about 400 recruits and returning convalescents. At Fredericksburg it formed part of Gen. Whipple's independent division and with its brigade rendered conspicuous service during the battle. When Gen. Hooker took command of the army, the 84th was assigned to the 2nd brigade (Col. Bowman), 3d division (Gen. Whipple), 3d corps (Gen. Sickles). Its losses were very heavy at the battle of Chancellorsville, being 219 out of 391 engaged. Despite its own heavy losses it succeeded in bringing off 33 prisoners. The 84th now became a part of Gen. Carr's brigade of the 2nd corps. In the Gettysburg campaign it was detailed to guard the corps train and did not share in the great battle. In the Virginia campaign which ensued it was active at Wapping heights, Thoroughfare gap, Freeman's ford, Bristoe Station, Kelly's ford, Jacob's ford, Locust Grove and Mine run, and then went into winter quarters at Brandy Station. Many of the command reenlisted in Jan., 1864, and were given a veteran furlough. It assisted in driving the enemy at Morton's ford, Va., in February, and shared with the 2nd corps in the almost constant fighting from the Wilderness to the James. Lieut-Col. Opp was mortally wounded at the Wilderness while bravely leading a charge, and in a skirmish at Pleasant hill the gallant Lieut. Nixon, who saved the command from capture at Bull Run, was severely wounded. It shared in the siege of Petersburg until June 27, when it recrossed the James and took part in the action at Deep Bottom. It then reengaged in the work of the siege until Aug. 14, when it was again in action at Deep Bottom and Strawberry Plains. Once more it returned to the work of the siege; was engaged at Yellow tavern, where Lieut. -Col. Zinn was severely wounded, and in October the original members, except veterans and recruits, were mustered out of service. The others were organized as a battalion of four companies, which were consolidated on Jan. 13, 1865, with the 57th Pa. and served with that regiment until the end of the war. The battalion shared in the engagement of the 2nd corps at Hatcher's run in October, and was again engaged on the Weldon railroad in December. The history of the battalion after its consolidation is the same as that of the 57th (q. v.). It was finally mustered out of service with that organization on June 29, 1865. Roster:
The Roster of this unit contains the names of 2336 men.
Source:
The Union Army by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1
Bibliography:

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