71st Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry

Historical Sketch:
Cols., E. D. Baker, Isaac J. Wistar, Richard Penn Smith ; Lieut.-Cols., William H. Penrose, John Markoe, William G. Jones, C. Kochersperger ; Majs., R. A. Parrish, Charles W. Smith, George L. Ritman, Richard P. Smith, Enoch E. Lewis. The 71st, originally known as the California regiment, was recruited in Philadelphia in April and May, 1861, by Edward D. Baker, U. S. senator from Oregon, under special authority from President Lincoln. Eleven hundred men were enlisted within a month's time and rendezvoused by squads and companies at Fort Schuyler, near New York city, where they were mustered into service for three years. Until after the battle of Ball's bluff the regiment was treated as belonging to the regular army, but was then claimed by Pennsylvania and applied on the state's quota, its officers being commissioned by the governor. On July 1, 1861, it proceeded to Fortress Monroe, via Philadelphia, and was immediately assigned to picket and scout duty. After the battle of Bull Run it moved to Washington and on Sept. 11 it first came under any considerable fire, when it displayed a spirit which proved its excellent material. Early in October it moved to Poolesville, Md., where with other regiments it formed the Philadelphia brigade, commanded by Col. Baker, Gen. Stone's division, Gen. Banks' army. In the engagement at Ball's bluff, Col. Baker fell at the head of his command while cheering his men. The regiment lost here 312 men out of 520 in action. The colors were lost in mid-stream by the color-sergeant and never recovered. It then went into winter quarters, its decimated ranks were recruited, and Lieut.-Col. Wistar was promoted colonel. In the spring it engaged in McClellan's Peninsular campaign as part of Sedgwick's division, Sumner's corps. It was engaged with some loss at Fair Oaks ; lost 96 in the action at the Chickahominy ; 68 in the action at Savage Station on the afternoon of the same day; was heavily engaged at Charles City cross-roads on the following day; and acted as artillery support at Malvern hill. At Harrison's landing the regiment was reorganized. Five of its fifteen companies, L, M, N, P and R were disbanded and the men transferred to the other ten companies. It made a forced march with Sumner's corps, reaching the battlefield of the second Bull Run toward the close of the action, and served as rear-guard to Pope's retreat, constantly skirmishing as far as Chain bridge. Sumner's corps was in reserve at the battle of South mountain, but was heavily engaged at Antietam, where the 71st performed most gallantly, losing over one-third of its number engaged. On Sept. 18, only 4 officers were able to report for duty. Col. Wistar was severely wounded here while leading a charge and was soon after promoted to brigadier-general, Lieut.-Col. Markoe succeeding to the command. The 71st entered on the Fredericksburg campaign as part of the 2nd brigade (Col. Owen), 2nd division (Gen. Howard), 2nd corps (Gen. Couch), and was in the Right Grand Division composed of the 2nd and 9th corps, commanded by Gen. Sumner. In the battle of Fredericksburg the command lost nearly a third of its effective strength. It was in reserve with the 2nd division at Chancellorsville and after the campaign returned to its old camp at Falmouth. At Gettysburg, where the regiment arrived on the evening of July 1, Gen. Hancock commanded the corps, Gen. Gibbon the division, and Gen. Webb the brigade. The 71st was posted during the battle, upon the crest of the ridge to the left and front of Gen. Meade's headquarters and a little to the left of the angle in the low stone wall. In this exposed position it suffered severe casualties in the two days' fighting, losing over 40 in the second day's contest, being subjected to a fierce artillery fire for more than 2 hours on the third day, and receiving the full force of the enemy's gallant charge which followed the artillery duel. Altogether it lost over half its effective strength, including 9 out of 15 officers engaged, though it captured 4 stands of colors. In the campaign which followed Lee's retreat into Virginia, it was engaged at Auburn and Bristoe Station; skirmished at Bull Run; fought at Robertson's tavern ; and on the close of the Mine Run campaign went into winter quarters at Stevensburg. On May 3, 1864, it moved with the corps, still commanded by Gen. Hancock, on the spring campaign ; was heavily engaged at the Wilderness and during the advance to Spottsylvania ; shared in the fierce assault at the latter place ; participated in much of the subsequent fighting in the advance on Richmond ; was in the assault of the 2nd corps at Cold Harbor and lost heavily in that engagement. This was its last battle, as the term of service of the regiment had now expired. The veterans and recruits were transferred to the 69th Pa. on June 12, and the others returned to Philadelphia, where they were mustered out on July 2, 1864. Out of a total enrolment of 2,200 men only 153 returned to be mustered out. Roster:
The Roster of this unit contains the names of 2992 men.
Source:
The Union Army by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1
Bibliography:

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