72nd Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry

Historical Sketch:
Col., DeWitt Clinton Baxter; Lieut.-Cols., Theodore Hesser, Henry A. Cook; Majs., J. Madison DeWitt, Samuel Roberts, A. C. Supplee, John Lockhart. The 72nd, known as the Fire Zouave regiment, was raised in the city of Philadelphia during the week, Aug. 3 to 10, 1861, and was mustered into the U. S. service for three years on the 10th. Col. Baxter had been second in command of the 19th regiment, and many of the members of the 72nd had served with him. On reaching Washington it was ordered across the river to the Virginia shore and on Sept. 18 was assigned to the Philadelphia brigade under Col. E. D. Baker. The regiment was at this time made up of fifteen companies and numbered 1,487 men. On Sept. 30 it recrossed the river, moved to Poolesville, Md., and engaged in guard duty as a part of Gen. Stone's division. The following spring it shared in the Peninsular campaign, the Philadelphia brigade now commanded by Gen. Burns, forming a part of Sedgwick's division, Sumner's corps. It suffered much from sickness at the siege of Yorktown, as its camp was in an unhealthful location and the constant rains and exposure in the trenches bore heavily on the command. It suffered some loss in the battle of Fair Oaks, and with Sumner's corps was the last to withdraw from the trenches on the Chickahominy at the beginning of the Seven Days' battles. It was heavily engaged at Savage Station, where it lost 15 killed, and was under fire but not active at Charles City cross-roads and Malvern hill. Leaving the Peninsula, it moved with Sumner to the support of Gen. Pope, and then after a few days' rest entered on the Maryland campaign, Gen. Howard now commanding the brigade. It lost 31 killed on the bloody field of Antietam, and at Fredericksburg, where the brigade was under Gen. Owen, the 72nd again suffered considerable loss. In the Chancellorsville campaign it was sent with a detachment of engineers to build and hold bridges at Banks' ford, and was not present at the battle. It then remained in camp at Falmouth until the middle of June, engaged in guard and picket duty. While here it was visited by Gov. Curtin, who presented the regiments of the brigade with stands of colors. While moving on the Gettysburg campaign the 72nd was engaged at Thoroughfare gap and Haymarket. At Gettysburg, where it arrived on the evening of the first day, Gen. Hancock commanded the corps, Gibbon the division, and Webb the brigade. It went into position on the left center, immediately behind the 69th and 71st, just below the crest of the hill. It was not heavily engaged the second day, but suffered grievously on the third, both during the great artillery duel, and in Pickett's historic charge. It lost 46 killed and a proportionate number in wounded. It was frequently engaged during the ensuing fall campaigns in Virginia; it suffered some loss at Bristoe Station, and also at Robertson's tavern. The Philadelphia brigade was to have headed the storming part at Mine Run, but the order to attack was countermanded and the army retired behind the Rappahannock. It went into winter quarters near Stoneboro and performed guard duty along the line of the Orange & Alexandria railroad. On the opening of the spring campaign of 1864 it was active at the Wilderness and Po river ; shared in the charge upon the enemy's works at Spottsylvania ; was heavily engaged at Cold Harbor; crossed the James river on June 15 at Wilcox landing; shared in the first assaults on the works of Petersburg; and then moved with the corps in the advance on the Weldon railroad. In August it was withdrawn from the trenches in front of Petersburg, as the term of service of the original members had expired, the veterans and recruits having been transferred to the 183d Pa. on July 19, and the rest of the regiment was mustered out at Philadelphia, Aug. 24, 1864. Roster:
The Roster of this unit contains the names of 2677 men.
Source:
The Union Army by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1
Bibliography:

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