Historical Sketch:
Cols., Peter C. Ellmaker, Gideon Clark; Lieut.-Cols., Gideon Clark, William C. Gray; Majs., Charles C. Knight, Henry P. Truefitt, William C. Gray, Edwin A. Landell. This regiment was recruited at Philadelphia in Aug., 1862, and ordered to Washington before its ranks were filled. Here an additional company was received and the regiment was mustered into the U. S. service for a three years' term. In October it joined the Army of the Potomac near Antietam and was assigned to the 1st brigade, 2nd division, 6th corps. It was first under fire at Fredericksburg and acquitted itself with credit, returning to camp at White Oak Church. With the 3d brigade, 1st division, it joined in the Chancellorsville movement, being engaged at Salem Church, and then returned to occupy the old camp until the Gettysburg campaign. The troops supported the cavalry engaged at Beverly ford and arrived on the field of Gettysburg on the afternoon of July 2. The 119th was posted on the left of the line and did not become engaged, but immediately took up the pursuit after the battle and went into camp at Warrenton on July 26, where 205 substitutes were received. At Rappahannock Station in November, a gallant assault was made for which the 6th corps received special commendation by Gen. Meade. After participation in the Mine Run expedition, winter quarters were made near Brandy Station, which were occupied until May 4, 1864. The regiment fought valiantly at the Wilderness and Spottsylvania, and by May 12 had lost half of its effective strength. At Cold Harbor it also sustained heavy loss. From Petersburg, where it moved with the army, the 119th was sent to the defense of Washington, which was threatened by Gen. Early, and took part in the marches and countermarches in the Valley of the Shenandoah and the battle of the Opequan. It was then posted at Winchester to garrison the town and returned to Petersburg early in December. It took part in the Dabney's mill battle in Feb., 1865, the final assault on April 2, the battle of Sailor's creek, and was present at Lee's surrender, after which the regiment moved to Danville, but returned to Washington and Philadelphia where the troops were mustered out on June 19, 1865.
Roster:
The Roster of this unit contains the names of 1765 men. Source:
The Union Army by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1 Bibliography:
Barcousky, Len. Civil War Pittsburgh: Forge of the Union. Charleston, South Carolina: The History Press, 2013. ISBN 9781626190818.
Blair, William and William Pencak, editors. Making and Remaking Pennsylvania's Civil War. University Park, Pennsylvania: Penn State University Press, 2004.
Fox, Arthur B. Our Honored Dead: Alleghany County, Pennsylvania, in the American Civil War. Chicora, Pennsylvania: Mechling Bookbindery, 2008.
Fox, Arthur B. Pittsburgh During the American Civil War 1860–1865. Chicora, Pennsylvania: Mechling Bookbindery, 2002.
Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce. Southern Revenge: Civil War History of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Chambersburg, Pennsylvania: Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce, 1989.
Miller, William J. The Training of an Army: Camp Curtin and the North's Civil War. Shippensburg, Pennsylvania: White Mane, 1990.
Sandou, Robert M. Deserter County: Civil War Opposition in the Pennsylvania Appalachians. Fordham University Press, 2009.
Skinner, George W., ed. Pennsylvania at Chickamauga and Chattanooga: Ceremonies at the Dedication of the Monuments Erected by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Wm. Stanley Ray, State Printer, 1897.
Taylor, Frank H. Philadelphia in the Civil War. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The City, 1913.
Wingert, Cooper H. Harrisburg and the Civil War: Defending the Keystone of the Union. Charleston, South Carolina: The History Press, 2013. ISBN 9781626190412.
Young, Ronald C. Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in the Civil War. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: published by the author, 2003.
Historical Sketch: