The First regiment, 3d Brigade, 1st Division of Pennsylvania militia, was organized under an act of Assembly of 1858, and belonged exclusively to Philadelphia. Immediately after the first call for troops to serve for three months Colonel Charles P. Dare, in behalf of the regiment, offered its services to the Executive of the Commonwealth, which were at once accepted. Recruiting commenced at the Arsenal, corner of Sixteenth and Filbert, streets, n the fifth of April, 1861 and three days thereafter, the regiment left for active duty, having been mustered into the service of the United States on Sunday, April 21st, by Major 0. F. Ruff, of the U. S. A., as the Twenty-third regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. The officers were all active in recruiting, and received important aid, bolt material and morale, from a committee of citizens.

The organization of the regiment was substantially preserved, the officers serving under their militia commissions. Colonel Charles P. Dare, Lieutenant Colonel David B. Birney, and Adjutant Casper S. Gillingham remained in the positions which they had ir several years held. George C. Spear was elected Major on the 16th of April, from Captain of company A.

Th regiment had no camp of rendezvous, having been ordered into active service on the day of its muster. The officers were all well versed in the school of the soldier, and were able to bring their men at once under discipline, and to impart t them skill in the practice of arms. It moved on the evening of April 21st, to Perryville, on the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore railroad, where Colonel Dare was placed in command of the post, and the regiment was stationed, four companies at Perryville, two at Havre-de-Grace, two at Elkton, one at Bush river, and one at Gunpowder river, with intermediate guards along the road.

The post and troops at Elkton were under the comanand of Major T. W. Sherman U. S. A., afterwards Major General of volunteers, who had been ordered to report with his light battery for duty to Colonel Dare. There were also at Perryville, under Colonel Dare's orders, a fleet of gunboats and transports, together with a marine battery, stationed on the wharves, and served by U. S. seamen. These were under the immediate commnand of Lieutenants Steadman and Watmough, U. S. N.

On the 28th of May, the regiment was relieved by the Eleventh Pennsylvania, Colonel Jarrett,: and proceeded by rail to Chambersburg, where it was assigned to the 1st Brigade,¹ 1st Division of Patterson's army. At this place the Adjutant of the regiment, C. S. Gillingham, was ordered to the staff of Colonel Thomas, as Acting Assistant Adjutant General, and so continued to the close of its term of service.

From Chambersburg the Brigade marched to Greencastle, where it encamped, remaining about a week, and from thence to Williamsport, where it was employed in guarding the fords of the Potomac.The enemy, at this time, were posted at Harper's Ferry, under command of General Joseph E. Johnston. When he perceived that General Patterson's army, which had been organized at Chambersburg, was about to cross the Potomac, he evacuated that post and retreated to Bunker Hill.

On the 17th of June, Colonel Thomas' Brigade crossed the river, and advanced to Falling Waters in pursuit of the enemy, Cadwalader's entire Division being ordered to follow. At this juncture the regular cavalry and all the artillery, together with Colonel Thomas, were, by the command of General Scott, ² ordered away, and re-crossed the river, leaving the three regiments and City Troop under command of Colonel Dare, with orders to follow the next day. At daylight the retreat commenced, with a large body of rebel cavalry hanging on the flanks and rear, but re-crossed the river without an engagement, and encamped on the old ground at Williamsport. Two days later, the cavalry and artillery which had been ordered away returned, and Colonel Thomas again assumed command of the Brigade.

The Twenty-third remained at Williamsport until the 2d of July, when it again crossed the Potomac, with the entire army of General Patterson. Advancing to Falling Waters fire was opened upon the head of the column by a body of rebels concealed in a wheat field and wood. During the skirmish which ensued, the Twenty-third supported Captain Perkins' battery, and although some few were killed and wounded in other regiments, it had no casualities.

Advancing on the following day to Martinsburg, four companies were selected for provost duty, Major Spear, by order of Colonel Thomas, assuming command in the town. On the 4th of July, at twelve o'clock P.M., the troops of the Brigade were drawn up on dress parade, while Captain Perkins' battery fired a salute, the regimental bands playing National airs.

The column again advanced to Bunker Hill, where the Twenty-third was sent out on three occasions, in conjunction with the cavalry, for reconnoissances.

On the 17th of June, the entire column moved to Charlestown, and encamped around the town, when the provost guard was again taken from the Twenty-third. Its term of service having expired, it was ordered to Philadelphia, where it arrived on the 29th of July, and on the 31st was mustered out of service.

The discipline and soldierly conduct of the regiment throughout its entire term was excellent, receiving the commendation of the commanding General. Nearly the entire regiment. re-enlisted for three years, and was permitted to retain its old number, the Twenty-third Pennsylvania volunteers.

__________________
¹ Organization of 1st Brigde, Colonel George H. Thomas, 1st Division, Major Geperal Geo. Cadwalader. Three companies Second Regiment, cavalry, U. S. A., (now Fifth Regiment) one company Philadelphia City Troop, cavalry; one Battery Heavy Artillery, Captain Doubleday, U. S. A; Twenty-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Charles P. Dare; Sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel James Nagle; Twenty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Joba?? E . Ballier.

² TELEGRAMS FROM GENERAL SCOTT TO GENERAL PATTERSON:

Washington, June 16, 1861.

To Major General PATTERSON:  The regulars with you are most needed here; send them and the Rhode Island regiment (Colonel Burnside) as fast as disengaged.

WINFIELD SCOTT.

Washington, June 17, 1861.

To Major General PATTERSON:   We are pressed here. Send the troops I have twice called for without delay.

WINFIELD SCOTT.

Testimony of General Cadwalader before the Congressional Committee on Conduct of War:

My division, as a part of General Patterson's column, was in the advance. I crossed the Potomac from Williamsport, and when Johnston retreated, as we advanced upon Harper's Ferry, we went down as far as Falling Waters, on the Virginia side. I was there met by an order to send to Washington all my regular troops-they were all under my command. * * General Patterson was compelled, or rather induced, to give me the order to fall back.

Source:  Bates, Samuel P. History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-65, Harrisburg, 1868-1871.

Organization:

Organized at Philadelphia and mustered in April 21, 1861.
Moved to Perryville April 21, and duty by detachments along
Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad till May 11.
Moved to Chambersburg, Pa., May 11.
Attached to Geo. H. Thomas' Brigade, 1st Division, Patterson's Army.

Service:

March to Greensburg June 6.
Cross Potomac and advance on Martinsburg Road June 15.
At Williamsport June 16-24.
At Downsville till July 1.
Falling Waters July 2.
Occupation of Martinsburg July 3.
Advance on Bunker Hill July 15.
Moved to Charlestown July 17, thence to Harper's Ferry.
Mustered out July 31, 1861.

Source:  Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion Compiled and Arranged from Official Records of the Federal and Confederate Armies, Reports of he Adjutant Generals of the Several States, the Army Registers, and Other Reliable Documents and Sources.Des Moines, Iowa: The Dyer Publishing Company, 1908

Home	Artillery	Cavalry
Infantry	Reserves	U. S. C. T.

Direct questions or comments to pacivilwar@pa-roots.net

©  Alice J. Gayley, all rights reserved

Web Space provided by