Historical Sketch:
Cols., Henry L. Cake, William H. Lessig; Lieut.-Cols., Jacob G. Frick, Peter A. Filbert, William H. Lessig; Majs., Lewis J. Martin, William H. Lessig, Levi Huber. The 96th, whose nucleus was the National Light Infantry of Pottsville, one of the original five companies, was organized at Pottsville, and most of its members were Schuylkill county men. Here it was mustered into the U. S. service on Sept. 23-30, 1861, for a three years' term, and on Nov. 8 proceeded to Washington. Slocum's brigade, to which it was assigned, became the 2nd brigade, 1st division, 6th corps. Winter quarters were made at Four-mile run on the Loudoun & Hampshire railroad, where the regiment remained until March 10, 1862, when it joined in the Manassas campaign and subsequently in the campaign on the Peninsula. Engaged at West Point in May, it was present during the Seven Days' battles ; was then ordered to Alexandria and from there to Bull Run. After that battle the regiment was next engaged at Crampton's gap, where it suffered severely ; was active at Antietam ; fought at Fredericksburg in December; shared in the discomforts of the "Mud March," and went into winter quarters near White Oak Church until Feb. 1, when all but two companies were posted at Windmill point on fatigue duty. On March 1, the 96th rejoined the brigade, and took part in the Chancellorsville campaign, being engaged at Salem Church. It fought bravely at Gettysburg; joined in the pursuit which followed ; was active at Rappahannock Station in November; took part in the Mine Run campaign, and made its winter quarters near Rappahannock Station. Through the eventful month of May, 1864, the regiment was almost constantly engaged from the battle of the Wilderness to Cold Harbor. It moved with the Army of the Potomac to Petersburg, but on July 10, was sent to the relief of Washington and continued with the Army of the Shenandoah. On Sept. 22, the original members not reenlisted were ordered home and the remaining battalion was consolidated with the 95th Pa. infantry in October. It was mustered out with the 95th at Washington on July 17, 1865.
Roster:
The Roster of this unit contains the names of 1896 men. Source:
The Union Army by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1 Bibliography:
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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: