76th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry

Historical Sketch:
Cols., John M. Power, D. W. C. Strawbridge, J. C. Campbell, John S. Littell; Lieut.-Cols., D. H. Wallace, J. C. Campbell, John W. Hicks, John S. Littell, Charles Knerr; Majs., Oliver M. Irvine, Cyrus Diller, John W. Hicks, William S. Diller, Charles Knerr, W. S. Moorhead. The 76th regiment, known as the Keystone Zouaves, was recruited in the counties of Lawrence, Mercer, Blair, York, Bedford, Westmoreland, Luzerne and Beaver. It rendezvoused at Camp Cameron, Harrisburg, where the members were gradually mustered into the U. S. service during the months of Sept, Oct. and Nov., 1861, for three years. On Nov. 18 the regiment received its colors from the governor and the next day it left for Fortress Monroe. It arrived at Hilton Head, S. C, early in December and was engaged in the work of fortification here until April, 1862, being assigned to Gen. Wright's brigade. On April 8 it was ordered to Tybee island, at the mouth of the Savannah river, and assisted in the reduction of Fort Pulaski, returning to Hilton Head on the 19th. It participated in the attack on Fort Johnson, near Secessionville in June, and in October it took a conspicuous part in the Pocotaligo expedition, losing 75 officers and men. It was then engaged in picket duty on Botany Bay, St. Helena and Folly islands until July, 1863. With four companies of the 7th Conn., it made a gallant assault on Fort Wagner on Morris island, in July, losing 187 men in the bloody engagement. It was also engaged in the second desperate assault a few days later, losing 17 killed and wounded. Scout, picket and guard duties, and the work of repulsing numerous night attacks from the mainland, occupied the regiment until May, 1864, when, with the 10th corps, it was ordered to Virginia, and attached to the Army of the James as part of Barton's brigade, 2nd division, 10th corps. It was shortly afterward engaged on the Richmond & Petersburg railroad, losing 65 men; was active at Swift creek and Drewry's bluff, suffering some loss ; was heavily engaged in the fighting at Cold Harbor in June ; participated in the first assaults on Petersburg, and shared actively in the work of the siege, casualties occurring almost daily. It fought at Deep Bottom and Bermuda Hundred in August; suffered a heavy loss in the sanguinary engagement at New Market heights when Fort Harrison was captured ; was engaged on the Darbytown road on the skirmish line from dawn until ten at night, with a loss of 1 killed and 12 wounded ; and in Dec, 1864, participated in the expedition for the capture of Fort Fisher, N. C. It also shared in the second and successful expedition against the fort in Jan., 1865, being attached to Pennypacker's brigade, which lost heavily in the desperate fighting that resulted in the capture of the fort. Later it moved with the army against Wilmington, N. C, and thence to Raleigh, where the 76th was detached for provost duty. It was mustered out at this place on July 18, 1865, the original members (except vets, and recruits) having been mustered out at Harrisburg, Nov. 28, 1864. During the homeward passage, several men were lost by the sinking of one of the transports. It reached Harrisburg, July 23, and here the men were paid and finally discharged. Footnotes: Roster:
The Roster of this unit contains the names of 3332 men.
Source:
The Union Army by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1
Bibliography:

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