11th Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry (40th Volunteers)

Historical Sketch:
Cols., T. F. Gallagher, Samuel M. Jackson ; Lieut.- Cols., James R. Porter, Samuel M. Jackson, Daniel S. Porter, Robert A. McCoy; Majs., S. M. Jackson, Robert Litzinger, Peter A. Johns, James P. Speer, Robert A. McCoy, James C. Burke. The 40th, the 11th reserve regiment, was composed of men from the western part of the state, who rendezvoused at Camp Wright, near Pittsburg. On June 24, 1861, the regiment left camp and proceeded to Harrisburg, thence to Washington, where it was mustered into the U. S. service on the 29th and 30th for a three years' term. In July it was ordered to the camp of the reserves at Tennallytown, assigned to the 2nd brigade of the reserve corps and stationed at Great Falls, where it had a skirmish with the enemy posted on the other side of the Potomac. Winter quarters were established near Langley, Va., and much enthusiasm was aroused by the victory at Dranesville, though the 2nd brigade arrived too late to participate. The regiment served on the Peninsula in the corps under Gen. Fitz John Porter; was present at the battles of Mechanicsville, and Gaines' mill, where the regiment met with disaster, though it held its ground in the face of the enemy's fire until the troops on both sides were driven back. The smoke and the density of the wood in which the battle raged prevented the troops from observing that they were being cut off, and when surrounded they endeavored to fight their way back. This became impossible and the regiment was captured after losing 46 men killed and 109 wounded. One company of the regiment under Capt. Porter, escaped capture, having been detailed on special duty. This company, representing the regiment, fought at Glendale and shared in the second battle of Bull Run, attached to the 3d brigade. At South mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg, the depleted ranks of the 40th conducted themselves gallantly. In Feb., 1863, the regiment was ordered to Washington to rest and recruit. With the 5th corps it shared in the Gettysburg campaign, the pursuit of the Confederate army, the skirmishes at Bristoe and Rappahannock Stations and the Mine Run campaign. The reserves were posted on guard duty along the Orange & Alexandria railroad during the winter of 1863-64, the 40th being encamped at Warrenton Junction and Bristoe Station. Beginning with the Wilderness, the regiment engaged in the battles of the Army of the Potomac during May, 1864, its last engagement being at Bethesda Church, after which the veterans and recruits were transferred to the 190th Pa. infantry and the regiment returned to Pittsburg, where it was mustered out on June 14, 1864. Roster:
The Roster of this unit contains the names of 2057 men.
Source:
The Union Army by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1
Bibliography:

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