98th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment

1861

August 23 - November 6

Organized at Camp Ballier, Philadelphia, under Colonel John F. Ballier, Lieutenant Colonel Adolph Mehler and Major George Wynkoop. Colonel Ballier had commanded the 21st Pennsylvania Infantry, a three months service regiment, and many men from the 21st reenlisted in the 98th.

Many of the regiment were German immegrants and had military experience in Europe.

September 30

Eight companies moved to Washington, D.C. Attached to Peck's Brigade, Couch's Division, Army of the Potomac for duty in the Defenses of Washington, D. C.

December

Companies G and H joined regiment

1862

March

Attached to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps, Army Potomac

March 10-15

Advance on Manassas, Va. Regiment crossed the Chain Bridge to Prospect Hill before returning to camp in Washington

March 25

Moved to the Virginia Peninsula, embarking from Alexandria

April 5-May 4

Siege of Yorktown. Regiment encamped near Warwick Court House, constructing field works and coruroying roads.

May 5

Battle of Williamsburg

The regiment lost four dead (Sergeant George Bordermaun and Privates Adam Wagner, Albert Lamp and Leopold Wetzel) and four wounded (including Sergeant Edward Friend and Privates Theodore Deringer and John Ualtman) in its first action.

May 9

Slatersville, New Kent C. H., and Sister's Mills

May 7-26

Advance from Williamsburg to Mechanicsville detached to General Stoneman's command

May 31-June 1

Battle of Fair Oaks, Seven Pines

Regiment made a forced march to Hanover Junction, destroying railroad track and rolling stock. Returning, it crossed the Chickahominy and rejoined the brigade near White Oak Swamp.

June 25-July 1

Seven days before Richmond

June 26-29

About Fair Oaks

The regiment lost one man killed and nine wounded

July 1

Malvern Hill

Captain William Sehr and Lieutenant Christian A. Gallas were killed during a day-long batle in which the regiment's ammunition was exhausted

July-August

At Harrison's Landing. Attached to 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps. Many men became sick and a number died in camp during this time.

August 16-30

Movement to Alexandria, The regiment's papers and baggage were lost in a separate transport, which was sunk. After the regiment landed it rested for two hours, then marched inland to Centreville, passing many units retreating from the retreat at Bull Run.

August 30-September 1

Covered Pope's retreat to Fairfax C. H., slowly withdrawing and reforming until reaching Faifax Court House.

September 1

Chantilly (Reserve)

September 6-24

Maryland Campaign. Attached to 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Army Corps, Army Potomac

September 12

Crossed to the north bank of the Potomac at Edward's Ferry and then to Rohrersville.

September 18

Advanced to reconnoiter Maryland Heights, then to Sharpsburg.

September 20

To Williamsport in an unsuccesful attempt to intercept a raiding party. Recrossed the Potomac at Berlin, then proceded to New Baltimore.

September 23-October 20

At Downsville, Md.

October

Attached to 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Army Corps,

October 20-November 18

Movement to Stafford C. H.

December 5

To Belle Plains

December 12-15

Battle of Fredericksburg

Crossed the Rappahannock via the lower bridges and was in reserve.

1863

January 20-24

Burnside's Second Campaign, "Mud March"

February-April

At Falmouth

April 27-May 6

Chancellorsville Campaign

May 2

Crossed the Rappahannock at Franklin's Crossing and camped that nght in the streets of Fredericksburg.

May 3

Maryes Heights, Fredericksburg

Under artillery fire at dawn, the regiment formed and occuoied Marye's Heights, losing one man killed and one wounded, then pursued the withdrawing Confederates to Salem heights.

May 3-4

Salem Heights

The regiment lost heavily in fighting on the south side of the road, including Colonel Ballier, who ws badly wounded in the foot and had to leave the field. Lieutenant Colonel Wynkoop took command.

May 4

Banks' Ford

Sedgwick's Corps is almost surrounded and overpowered. The regiment is sent to reinforce the left flank, successfully driving back a Confederate attack. Sedgwick, with the regiment, retired across the Rappahannock at Banks Ford and returned to its old camp. Lieutenant George Busch was mortally wounded, four men were killed, and three officers and 17 men wounded.

June 13-July 24

Gettysburg Campaign

June 20

The regiment crossed Kelly's Ford and began building entrenchments, but was withdrawn to follow Lee's Army on its invasion of the north.

July 1

The regiment arrives at Manchester, Maryland. That evening it begins a forced march to Gettysburg in response to urgent calls to reinforce Union forces fighting there.

July 2-4

Battle of Gettysburg

The regiment was commanded by Major John B. Kohler. It brought 406 men to the field. On arriving on the field on the afternoon of July 2 it occupied the low hill north of Little Round Top.

The next day the regiment advanced a short distance. It suffered little from the artillery barragethat preceeded Pickett's Charge, losing most of its 11 men wounded during the battle to sharpshooters.

From the Sykes Avenue monument: "Leading the march from Manchester Md. Arrived here July 2d about 5 p.m. Immediately charged to the Wheatfield and woods to the left. About dark re-joined the brigade north of the road where other monument stands."

From the Wheatfield Road monument: "The regiment was the advance of the Sixth Corps in its march from Manchester, Md. to the battlefield and occupied this position from the evening of July 2d until the close of battle."

July 4

Day spent in removing the wounded and burying the dead.

July 5-24

Pursuit of Lee

August-October

Duty on line of the Rappahannock

October 9-22

Bristoe Campaign

November 7-8

Advance to line of the Rappahannock

November 7

Rappahannock Station

November 26-December 2

Mine Run Campaign

December 2

Returned to camp and winter quarters at Brandy Station

December 23

Out of 329 survivors, 229 men reenlisted, receiving the promise of a furlough as inducement.

1864

January

Attached to Wheaton's Brigade, Dept. West Virginia and ordered to Harpers Ferry. The regiment was transported by rail in unheated box cars and open flat cars, causing great suffering among the men. The regiment then continued on foot to Halltown and Charlestown. Colonel Ballier was given command of Charlestown.

February 1

The 229 reenlisted men depart on their promised furlough. The 100 men who did not reenlist performed guard duty at Harpers Ferry, Halltoen, and Snickers Gap.

March

The Veterans return from furlought and rejoin the remaider of the regiment at Brandy Station attached to the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 6th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac.

May 4-June 12

Rapidan Campaign

May 5-7

Battle of the Wilderness

The regiment stood for two hours in a desperate battle until it was out of ammunition and was relieved. Lieutenant Charles Wiedman and eight enlisted men were killed and four officers and 52 men wounded. The next day the regiment took part in an unsuccessful attack and was forced to fall back in confusion. Colonel Ballier took over brigade command as General Wheaton took over from the wounded General Getty at Division, with Lieutenant Colonel Kohler taking over command of the regiment.

May 8-21

Battle of Spottsylvania

Eight companies of the regiment performed picket duty, losing two killed and four wounded. The other two companies lost one killed and six wounded fighting with the rest of the brigade. Five more men were wounded crawling across an open field under heavy fire on the 18th.

May 23-26

North Anna River

May 26-28

Crossed the Pamunkey and moved to Hanover Court House

May 28-31

Totopotomoy

June 1

Moved to Cold Harbor. Major John Beamish was killed on the picket line

June 2

Battle of Cold Harbor

Attacking unsuccessfully on the right of the line, Adjutant Edward Schwatlo and 13 men were killed and two officers and 39 men wounded.

June 16

Crossed the James River

June 17-18

Before Petersburg

An unsuccessful charge cost two killed and 11 wounded.

June 21

Raided and damaged the Weldon Railroad

June 22-23

Jerusalem Plank Road

June 24-July 9

Siege of Petersburg

July 9-11

Moved to Washington D.C.

July 11-12

Defense of Washington against Early's attack

The regiment formed a picket line in front of Fort Stevens, losing five men wounded on July 11. Eight men were killed and 28 wounded the following day. Colonel Ballier, commanding the brigade, and Lieutenant Colonel Kohler were both wounded. Colonel Ballier's wound was serious.

July 14-18

Pursuit to Snicker's Ferry

August - December

Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign, attached to Army of the Shenandoah

August 21-22

Charlestown

September 13

Demonstration on Gilbert's Ford, Opequan Creek

September 19

Battle of Opequan, Winchester

Lieutenant John Heppler and five enlisted men were killed and three officers and 19 men wounded.

September 21

Strasburg

September 22

Fisher's Hill

The regiment made a successful charge against a steep hill, with its colors being first to be planted on the works and losing only three men wounded.

October 19

Battle of Cedar Creek

In severe fighting the regiment lost 14 men killed and 34 wounded and was forced to fall back from several positions. With the mid-day arrival of General Sheridan on the field, the Union took the offensive, and Confederate forces collapsed. At the end of the day Lietenant Colonel Kohler was killed inspecting picketts as officer of the day.

October-December

Duty in the Shenandoah Valley

December 9-12

Ordered to Petersburg

December

Siege of Petersburg

1865

February 5-7

Dabney's Mills, Hatcher's Run

March 25

Fort Fisher, Petersburg

March 28-April 9

Appomattox Campaign

April 2

Assault on and fall of Petersburg

Lieutenant Colonel Charles Reen is badly wounded, losing his leg, Lieutenant Herman Solbrig is killed, and two officers and eleven me are wounded.

April 3-9

Pursuit of Lee

April 10

Seven hundred unarmed drafted men and substitutes are assigned to the regiment.

April 9

Appomattox C. H. Surrender of Lee and his army.

April 23-27

Forced march to Danville

April 28-May22

Duty at Danville

May 23-June 3

Moved to Richmond, then to Washington

June 8

Corps Review

June 29

Mustered out