141st Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry

Historical Sketch:
Col., Henry J. Madill ; Lieut.- Cols., Guy H. Watkins, Casper W. Tyler, Joseph H. Horton; Majs., Israel P. Spaulding, Casper W. Tyler, Joseph H. Horton, Charles Mercur. This regiment was composed of recruits from the counties of Bradford, Susquehanna and Wayne, and rendezvoused at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, where it was mustered into the U. S. service in the latter part of Aug., 1862, for three years. It was barely organized, when it was hurried to Washington, arriving on Aug. 30 during the progress of the second battle of Bull Run. It was a raw, inexperienced regiment and the privations and exposure of the first few weeks told heavily on the health of the men, 300 being in hospital at one time and 500 being reported unfit for duty. It was assigned to the 1st brigade (Gen. Robinson), Birney's division, 3d corps. It remained at Washington, engaged in perfecting itself in drill and discipline, until the close of the Maryland campaign, and was then posted at Poolesville for a time, engaged in picket duty. It went into winter quarters at Falmouth on Nov. 25, and was in reserve during most of the battle of Fredericksburg, losing but 1 killed and 4 wounded. At the battle of Chancellorsville the 141st was heavily engaged, sustaining its chief loss in a desperate charge on the morning of the third day of the battle, where it fought with great courage and lost 235 killed, wounded and missing, out of 419 in action. Lieut.-Col. Watkins was severely wounded and was taken prisoner. The regiment reached the field of Gettysburg on the evening of July 1, after a most fatiguing march. On the next day it went into position at the angle of Sickles' line, on the right of the Peach Orchard, which was the most exposed part of the whole field. Its action was most heroic throughout the day, during which it sustained fearful losses. It went into action on that morning with 198 men, and lost during the battle 136 in killed, wounded and missing, or nearly 70 per cent, of its numbers. Its total loss during the two days was 149. In the ensuing campaigns in Virginia it was engaged at Kelly's ford, Locust Grove, and several minor actions. Winter quarters were established at Brandy Station and while here many convalescents returned to the ranks. Its strength was further augmented by the transfer of many men from the 105th, 99th and 110th Pa. regiments. It entered on the spring campaign of 1864 as part of the 4th division, 2nd corps. In a single charge at the Wilderness the 141st captured 50 prisoners and the colors of the 13th N. C. It was fiercely engaged at the Po river and a few days later at the "bloody angle." In front of the regiment in the latter engagement stood the great tree which was cut in two by bullets, and whose trunk is now one of the treasured memorials of the war at Washington. Around this tree the enemy's slain were strewn by hundreds. The losses of the regiment up to this time amounted to 9 killed, 98 wounded and 21 missing. It was first to plant its colors on the enemy's works in a gallant charge at the North Anna river. More severe fighting followed at Cold Harbor and on the 14th it crossed the James. Lieut.-Col. Watkins was killed while leading his men in the charge on the works of Petersburg on June 18. Maj. Tyler now assumed command and was promoted to lieutenant-colonel. On July 1, the regiment numbered only 170, and had but 7 of its 39 original officers. During the balance of the year it shared in all the fighting of its corps, being engaged at Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains, on the Weldon railroad in October and again in December. It was stationed during the winter near Fort Hell, and on March 27, 1865, began its final campaign, taking part in the final assaults on Petersburg and maintaining its reputation for gallantry in the bloody engagement of Sailor's creek. At the surrender of Lee it was in line of battle, prepared to continue the bloody fighting if necessary. On May 28, it was mustered out at Washington, with the exception of the recruits, which were transferred to the 57th Pa. Few regiments achieved a more honorable record for gallantry and efficient service. The number on the regimental rolls was 1,036, and its losses during service were 156 killed or died of wounds, 404 wounded, and 75 captured or missing. Roster:
The Roster of this unit contains the names of 1574 men.
Source:
The Union Army by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1
Bibliography:

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