First Brigade, Third Division
Fifth Pennsylvania Infantry
Mustered in United States service for three months 20 and 21 April, 1861. Arrived at Washington, D. C., 27 April, 1861. Did not participate in the first battle of Bull Run
COLONEL R P MCDOWELL
Captain R P Mcdowell, 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company A, was appointed
colonel, 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, and mustered in United States service for three months at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, by Captain S G Simmons, 7th United States Infantry, Company H, on 21 April, 1861.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL B C CHRIST
B C Christ was appointed
lieutenant colonel, 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, and mustered in United States service for three months at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, by Captain S G Simmons, 7th United States Infantry, Company H, on 21 April, 1861.
MAJOR R B PETRIKEN
R B Petriken was appointed
colonel, 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, and mustered in United States service for three months at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, by Captain S G Simmons, 7th United States Infantry, Company H, on 21 April, 1861.
- Company A State Guards: CAPT. G W DAWSON
The company was accepted in state service for three months at Allegheny City, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on 18 April, 1861, and was mustered in United States service for three months at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, by Captain S G Simmons, 7th United States Infantry, Company H, on 20 April, 1861. Captain R P Mcdowell, 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company A, was appointed colonel, 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, on 21 April, 1861. - Company B Turner Rifles: CAPT. H AMLUNG
The company was accepted in state service for three months at Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on 16 April, 1861, and was mustered in United States service for three months at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, by Captain S G Simmons, 7th United States Infantry, Company H, on 20 April, 1861. - Company C Columbian Infantry, Minersville Battalion, First Brigade (Schuylkill County), Pennsylvania Militia: CAPT. J BRENNAN
The company was accepted in state service for three months at Glen Carbon, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, on 18 April, 1861, and was mustered in United States service for three months at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, by Captain S G Simmons, 7th United States Infantry, Company H, on 20 April, 1861. - Company D Standing Stone Guards: CAPT. B F MILLER
The company was accepted in state service for three months at Huntingdon, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, on 18 April, 1861, and was mustered in United States service for three months at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, by Captain S G Simmons, 7th United States Infantry, Company H, on 21 April, 1861. - Company E Minersville Artillerists/ Artillery, Minersville Battalion, First Brigade (Schuylkill County), Pennsylvania Militia: CAPT. W HOWER
The company was accepted in state service for three months at Minersville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, under the command of Captain B C Christ, on 18 April, 1861, and was mustered in United States service for three months at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, by Captain S G Simmons, 7th United States Infantry, Company H, on 20 April, 1861. - Company F Scott Artillerists/ Artillery, First Regiment, First Brigade (Schuylkill County), Pennsylvania Militia: CAPT. F B MEDLER
The company was accepted in state service for three months at Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, on 18 April, 1861, and was mustered in United States service for three months at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, by Captain S G Simmons, 7th United States Infantry, Company H, on 20 April, 1861. Captain F B Medler, 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company F, resigned at Camp McDowell, east of Fort Ellsworth, on Shuter's Hill, one mile west of Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, on 30 June, 1861. - Company G Lebanon Guards: CAPT. J ULRICH
The company was accepted in state service for three months at Lebanon, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, on 18 April, 1861, and was mustered in United States service for three months, under the command of Captain J Wench, at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, by Captain S G Simmons, 7th United States Infantry, Company H, on 20 April, 1861. - Company H Union Light Infantry/ Reading Reapers: CAPT. F M COOLEY
The company was accepted in state service for three months at Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania, on 18 April, 1861, and was mustered in United States service for three months at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, by Captain S G Simmons, 7th United States Infantry, Company H, on 20 April, 1861. - Company I Ringgold Rifles, Minersville Battalion, First Brigade (Schuylkill County), Pennsylvania Militia: CAPT. G J LAWRENCE
The company was accepted in state service for three months at Minersville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, on 18 April, 1861, and was mustered in United States service for three months at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, by Captain S G Simmons, 7th United States Infantry, Company H, on 20 April, 1861. - Company K United States Zouaves: CAPT. G SieGRIST
The company was accepted in state service for three months at Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on 16 April, 1861, andwas mustered in United States service for three months at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, by Captain S G Simmons, 7th United States Infantry, Company H, on 20 April, 1861.
Organisation of 5th Pennsylvania Infantry at expiration of term of servive, 20 July, 1861: Colonel R P McDowell, Lieutenant Colonel B C Christ, Major R B Petriken; Company A, State Guards, Captain G W Dawson; Company B, Turner Rifles, Captain H Amlung; Company C, Columbian Infantry, Captain J Brennan; Company D, Standing Stone Guards, Captain B F Miller; Company E, Minersville Artillerists/ Artillery, Captain W Hower; Company F, Scott Artillerists/ Artillery, Captain F B Medler; Company G, Lebanon Guards, Captain J Ulrich; Company H, Union Light Infantry/ Reading Reapers, Captain F M Cooley; Company I, Ringgold Rifles, Captain G J Lawrence; Company K, United States Zouaves, Captain G Siegrist
Sources
"The Schuylkill and Susquehanna Railroad has been tendered for use of troops. Six companies have gone from Reading, and more are being organised. Capt. F. M. Cooley, a dealer in agricultural implements, left on Friday for Harrisburg. He called his company the 'Reading Reapers,' and they will give a good account of themselves."
Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania), 23 April, 1861
"At four o'clock yesterday afternoon the the Fifth Pennsylvania regiment of volunteers , numbering seven hundred and eighty-three men, arrived in this city from Harrisburg."
Philadelphia Press (Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania), 23 April, 1861 - Arrival of the Fifth Pennsylvania regiment
"The Fifth Pennsylvania Regiment have all left Philadelphia. A portion of them started on Monday night by the Ericsson steamers. The majority, however, spent the night at the Baltimore depot, and left early yesterday morning by railway for Harve de Grace."
Philadelphia Press (Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania), 24 April, 1861
"This Western Pennsylvania Regiment which left before daylight yesterday morning, for Havre de Grace, consists of the following companies: State Zouaves, Captain Seagrist; Turner Rifles, Captain Emlen; Seaborn Guards, Capt. Winch; Ringgold Rifles, Captain Lawrence; Scott Artillery, Captain Medler; Union Light Infantry, Captain Corley; Columbia Infantry, Captain Brennan; State Guards, Captain McDowell. The whole were under the command of Lieut. Col. P C. Cress and Major R B Petriken."
Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania), 24 April, 1861 – The Fifth Pennsylvania Regiment
"Annapolis, 25 April - I have neglected to state that a portion of the Fifth Regiment, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Christ, on Monday evening marched down Prime street wharf, in your city, and after taking possession of three transports, conveyed them form Philadelphia, via the Delaware and Chesapeake Canal, to Perryville, where they joined the rest of the regiment."
Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania), 27 April, 1861 - Rather bold
"Our informant, on his way back to this city, passed the Fifth Pennsylvania Regiment, under command of Benjamin Crist, at Crownsviile, at which point they had halted for refreshments at half-past eleven o'clock yesterday morning."
Baltimore American (Baltimore City, Maryland), 27 April, 1861 - Interesting from Annapolis
"Annapolis, 28 April, 1861 - The military still continue to arrive in great numbers. Since my last report of troops reported at the quarters of the Commandant of the post, the following have arrived: Eighth New York Regiment, 1045, Col. Lyons, en route for Washington. Sixty-ninth New York Regiment, Col. Corcoran, 1060 men, en route for Washington. Thirteenth New York Regiment, Col. Smith, 500 men, retained here. Twenty-fifth New York Regiment, Col. Bryan, 500 men, retained here. Company of Infantry, Capt. Brigg, 70 men. The Thirteenth Regiment expect 500 more men in a few days. One hundred of the Eighth Regiment act as flying artillery, and are known as the 'Troop'. On Friday morning the Fifth Pennsylvania Regiment left for the Junction, where they arrived safely last night, and will leave this afternoon for Washington. They marched to the junction."
Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania), 29 April, 1861 - Our Annapolis correspondence
"About five o'clock on Saturday evening, the train arrived bringing in the Fifth Regiment of Pennsylvania and two companies of guards who had been relieved from duty along the line of the road. These men are not uniformed, but are fully armed, and ready to take a turn at fighting on very short notice. They marched to the inauguration ballroom, and took up quarters."
National Republican (Washington, D. C.), 29 April, 1861 - Arrival of the Fifth Pennsylvania Regiment
"Several companies of the fourth and fifth Pennsylvania regiments proceeded out to their place of encampment, near Glenwood cemetery, yesterday afternoon."
National Republican (Washington, D. C.), 23 May, 1861 - Gone into camp
"This morning the Fifth Pennsylvania Regiment proceeded down to Alexandria, and the Seventy-first N.York returned to their former quarters at the Navy Yard."
Sun (Baltimore City, Maryland), 30 May, 1861 - Washington, 29 May, 1861
"The garrison at Alexandria now consists as follows: Michigan First, Col. Willcox, 780 men; New York Fire Zouaves, Lieut. Colonel Farnham, 1,157 men; Massachusetts Fifth, Col. Lawrence, 890 men; Pennsylvania Fifth, Col. McDowell, 1,014 men; Captain Rickett's Light Battery, (regulars) six pieces, 100 men; Company E, Second Cavalry, Lieut. Sweet commanding, 76 men - total 3,901."
Evening Star (Washington, D. C.), 4 June, 1861 - Troops stationed at Alexandria, Virginia
"Pennsylvania Fifth Regiment broke up its camp in Washington on Tuesday night last at 12 o'clock, and by 6 o'clock was in Alexandria. The regiment is in fine health, and goes into camp this afternoon at the foot of Shuter's Hill."
Press (Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania), 4 June, 1861 - A letter from Alexandria
"Camp McDowell, 24th June - We are camped about one and a half miles from Alexandria, in one of the most lovely spots, and begin to feel somewhat climatised to this country, notwithstanding the excessive heat throughout the entire day, and cool winds and heavt dews at night."
Miners' Journal (Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania), 24 June, 1861 - From Scott Artillerists
"Capt. F. B. Medlar's administration as Provost Marshal of Alexandria, ceased on Tuesday last, at which time, he returned to camp with his company, the latter, to a man rejoicing at the change as all were panting for the country air, and longed to fill the space left vacant in the regiment, during their sojourn in Alexandria."
Weekly Miners' Journal (Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania), 29 June, 1861 - From the Scotts Artillerists
"Harrisburg, 22 July, 1861 - At an early hour in the afternoon the Fifth Pennsylvania regiment, Colonel Thomas C. McDowell, arrived from Washington and proceeded to Capital Park, where they are quartered, preparatory to disbanding."
New York Herald (New York City, New York, New York County), 23 July, 1861 - Our Harrisburg correspondence
Books/ Manuscripts
History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers 1861-5, prepared in compliance with acts of the legislation, Volume 1, by Samuel P Bates
From first to last: The life of Major General William B. Franklin, by Mark A Snell
History of the Fortieth, Mozart, Regiment, New York Volunteers, which was composed of four companies from New York, four companies from Massachusetts and two companies from Pennsylvania, by Sergeant Frederick C Floyd
The Union Army: A history of military affairs in the loyal states 1861-65, records of the regiments in the Union Army, cyclopedia of battles, memoirs of commanders and soldiers, Volume 1, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware
Notes
The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry was authorised by a proclamation calling for 75,000 militia to serve three months on 15 April, 1861, and was accepted in state service for three months at Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, on 17 April, 1861.
Note: The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry was organised at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, on 20 April, 1861.
Allegheny City, Allegheny County, to Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Company A, 18 April, 1861: The State Guards arrived by the Pennsylvania Railroad at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, on 18 April, 1861.
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, to Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Companies B & K, 16-17/18 April, 1861: The Turner Rifles and the United States Zouaves were ordered to proceed by the Pennsylvania Railroad on 16 April, 1861, and arrived at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, on 17 and 18 April, 1861, respectively.
Reading, Berks County, to Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Company H, 18-19 April, 1861: The Union Light Infantry/ Reading Reapers was ordered to proceed by the Lebanon Valley Railroad to Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, on 18 April, 1861, and arrived at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, on 19 April, 1861.
Note: The Turner Rifles (104), the Reading Reipers (89), and the United States Zouaves (74) were stationed at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, at 10.30 PM on 19 April, 1861.
Organisation of Minersville Battalion, First Brigade (Schuylkill County), Pennsylvania Militia: Major W Spencer; Minersville Artillerists/ Artillery, Captain W Hower; Ringgold Rifles, Captain J Hoskins; Columbia Infantry, Captain J Brennan; Llewellyn Rifles, Captain H Chance; Ashland Dragoons, Captain J E Wynkoop; Patterson Guards, Captain K Don(n)ohoe
Organisation of First Regiment, First Brigade (Schuylkill County), Pennsylvania Militia: Colonel A Loeser, Lieutenant Colonel J Siebert, Major J C White; Schuylkill County Cavalry, First Lieutenant J M Wetherill; Washington Artillery, Captain J Wren; National Light Infantry, Captain E MacDonald; Washington Yaegers, Captain H J Hendler; Scott Artillerists/ Artillery, Captain C S Leader
Minersville & Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill County, to Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Companies E, F, & I, 20 April, 1861: The Minersville Artillerists/ Artillery (80), the Scott Artillerists/ Artillery (73), and the Ringgold Rifles (108) arrived at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, in the morning on 20 April, 1861.
Note: The Minersville Artillerists/ Artillery, the Scott Artillerists/ Artillery, and the Ringgold Rifles were assigned to the Minersville Battalion, First Brigade (Schuylkill County), Pennsylvania Militia, under the command of Major W Spencer, on 19 April, 1861.
Glen Carbon, Schuylkill County, to Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania Pennsylvania, Company C, 20 April, 1861: The Columbian Infantry (110) arrived by the Lebanon Valley Railroad at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, in the evening on 20 April, 1861.
Lebanon, Lancaster County, to Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Company G, 20 April, 1861: The Lebanon Guards arrived by the Pennsylvania Railroad at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, on 20 April, 1861.
Huntingdon, Huntingdon County, to Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Company D, 20-21 April, 1861: The Standing Stone Guards (80/100) was ordered to proceed by the Pennsylvania Railroad to Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, in the evening on 20 April, 1861, and arrived at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, in the morning on 21 April, 1861.
Mustered for three months, Camp Curtin, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 20 & 21 April, 1861: The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, Companies A, B, H, and K, were mustered in United States service for three months at Camp Curtin, on Ridge Road, Dauphin County Agricultural Society, two miles north of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, by Captain S G Simmons, 7th United States Infantry, Company H, on 20 April, 1861, and Company G for three months on 20/21 April, 1861; and Companies C, D, E, F, and I for three months on 21 April, 1861.
Harrisburg to Perryville, 22-23 April, 1861
The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry (783) was ordered to proceed by the Pennsylvania Railroad to Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, in the morning on 22 April, 1861, and arrived by the Columbia & Philadelphia Branch, Pennsylvania Railroad, at 4 PM the same day.
Note: The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry was ordered to Broad Street Station, corner of Broad Street and Washington Avenue/ Prime Street, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, in the afternoon on 22 April, 1861.
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, to Perryville, Cecil County, Maryland, Companies D & E, 22-23 April, 1861: The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, Companies D and E, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel B C Christ, embarked on the Ericsson steamers on the Delaware River at 7 PM on 22 April, 1861, and arrived at Perryville, Cecil County, Maryland, via the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal in the morning on 23 April, 1861.
Note: The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, Companies D and E, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel B C Christ, were assigned to escort three steamers to Perryville, Cecil County, Maryland,in the evening on 22 April, 1861, and arrived via the Delaware and Chesapeake Canal in the morning on 23 April, 1861.
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, to Perryville, Cecil County, Maryland, Companies A, B, C, F, G, H, I, & K, 23 April, 1861: The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, Companies A, B, C, F, G, H, I, and K, under the command of Colonel R P McDowell and Major R B Petriken, were ordered to proceed by the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad to Perryville, Cecil County, Maryland, in the morning on 23 April, 1861.
Perryville to Washington, 23-27 April, 1861
The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry was ordered to proceed by three steamers to Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, in the evening on 23 April, 1861, and arrived at Annapolis Roads, two and a half miles southeast of Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, in the morning on 25 April, 1861.
Note: The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry was stationed at the United States Naval Academy, on Hanover Street, Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, between 25 and 26 April, 1861.
United States Naval Academy, on Hanover Street, Annapolis, to Annapolis Junction, Howard County, Maryland, to Washington, D. C., 26-27 April, 1861: The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry was ordered to Annapolis Junction, Howard County, Maryland, in the morning on 26 April, 1861, and was stationed at Crownsville, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, at 11.30 AM the same day. The regiment arrived at Annapolis Junction, Howard County, Maryland, at 7.30/8 PM on 26 April, 1861, and was ordered to proceed by Washington Branch, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, to Washington, D. C., in the afternoon on 27 April, 1861. The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry arrived by the Washington Branch, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, at Washington, D. C., at 5 PM the same day.
Note: The 71st New York State Militia and six companies of the 5th Massachusetts Infantry were stationed at Annapolis Junction, Howard County, Maryland, in the evening on 26 April, 1861.
Department of Washington, 27 April-29 May, 1861
The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry was stationed at the Inauguration Ballroom, adjoining City Hall, on Indiana Avenue, south of Judiciary Square, between Indiana Avenue and North F Street, and West Fourth and Fifth Streets, Washington, D. C., in the evening on 27 April, 1861.
Inauguration Ballroom, adjoining City Hall, on Indiana Avenue, south of Judiciary Square, between Indiana Avenue & North F Street, & West Fourth & Fifth Streets, Washington, to Glenwood Cemetery, east of Seventh Street Turnpike, D. C, 24 May, 1861: The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry arrived at Camp Washington, Glenwood Cemetery, east of Seventh Street Turnpike, D. C, in the morning on 24 May, 1861.
Abstract from return of the volunteer troops stationed in the Department of Washington, Colonel J F K Mansfield, United States Army, commanding, 30 April, 1861: The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry (671/752), under the command of Colonel R P McDowell, was stationed at the Inauguration Ballroom, adjoining City Hall, on Indiana Avenue, south of Judiciary Square, between Indiana Avenue and North F Street, and West Fourth and Fifth Streets, Washington, D. C., on 30 April, 1861.
Note: The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry was stationed at Camp Washington, Glenwood Cemetery, east of Seventh Street Turnpike, D. C, between 24 and 28 May, 1861.
General Orders No.1, Paragraph I, Headquarters, Department of Northeastern Virginia, Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, 28 May, 1861: Brigadier General I McDowell, United States Army, assumed command of the Department of Northeastern Virginia by General Orders No.1, Paragraph I, Headquarters, Department of Northeastern Virginia, Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, 28 May, 1861.
Note: Brigadier General I McDowell, United States Army, was stationed at Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, in the morning on 28 May, 1861.
Department of Northeastern Virginia, 29 May-20 July, 1861
The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry was ordered to Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, at 12 AM on 29 May, 1861, and to proceed by steamers on the Potomac River at 2 AM the same day. The regiment arrived at King Street wharf, Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, at 6 AM on 29 May, 1861.
Note: The 71st New York State Militia arrived by the steamers Philadelphia and James Guy at Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, at 5 AM on 28 May, 1861, and was ordered to Navy Yard, on M Street, between Sixth and Ninth Streets, Washington D. C., at 11 AM on 29 May, 1861 (See the 71st New York State Militia).
Provost duty at Alexandria, Company F, 29 May-18 June, 1861
The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company F, was assigned to provost duty at the Marshall House, corner of King and Pitt Streets, Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, on 29 May, 1861.
Note: Captain F B Medlar, 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company F, was appointed provost marshall at Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, on 29 May, 1861.
Headquarters, Provost Guards, Marshall House, corner of King and Pitt Streets, Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, 29 May-18 June, 1861: The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company F, was stationed at Headquarters, Provost Guards, Marshall House, corner of King and Pitt Streets, Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, between 29 May and 18 June, 1861.
Note: The 1st Michigan Infantry, Company H, under the command of Captain & Provost Marshall F W Whittlesey, was assigned to provost duty at Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, between 24 and 28 May, 1861 (See the 1st Michigan Infantry).
Camp McDowell, east of Fort Ellsworth, on Shuter's Hill, one mile west of Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, i 18 June, 1861: The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company F, arrived at Camp McDowell, east of Fort Ellsworth, on Shuter's Hill, one mile west of Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, in the evening on 18 June, 1861.
Note: First Lieutenant J P Ely and Second Lieutenant W H Missenman, 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company G, under the command of Captain F B Medlar, 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company F, arrested a spy at Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, in the evening on 10 June, 1861.
Troops stationed at Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, 2 June, 1861: Colonel C P Stone, 14th United States Infantry; 1st Michigan Infantry (780), Colonel O B Willcox; 11th New York Infantry (1,157), Lieutenant Colonel N Farnham; 5th Massachusetts Infantry (880), Colonel S C Lawrence; 5th Pennsylvania Infantry (1,014), Colonel R P McDowell; 1st United States Artillery (100), Light Company I, First Lieutenant D Ramsay; 2nd United States Cavalry (76), Company E, First Lieutenant J J Sweet, 2nd United States Cavalry, Company K; Total 3,901
Note: The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry was stationed at Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, between 29 May and 2 June, 1861.
Alexandria to Shuter's Hill, one mile west of Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, 2 June, 1861: The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry arrived at Camp McDowell, east of Fort Ellsworth, on Shuter's Hill, one mile west of Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, in the afternoon on 2 June, 1861.
Note: Captain F B Medler, 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company F, resigned at Camp McDowell, east of Fort Ellsworth, on Shuter's Hill, one mile west of Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, on 30 June, 1861, and the 5th Pennsylvania Infantry was assigned to Colonel W B Franklin, 12th United States Infantry, at Camp McDowell, east of Fort Ellsworth, on Shuter's Hill, one mile west of Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, on 4 July, 1861.
Advance to Cloud's Mill's, 27-28 June, 1861
A detachment of the 2nd United States Cavalry, Company E, was engaged in a skirmish at Cloud's Mill, Fairfax County, Virginia, in the evening on 27 June, 1861.
Camp McDowell, east of Fort Ellsworth, on Shuter's Hill, one mile west of Alexandria, Alexandria County, to Cloud's Mills, Fairfax Virginia, 27 June, 1861: The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry was ordered to Cloud's Mill, Fairfax County, Virginia, in the evening on 27 June, 1861, and was accompanied by the 11th New York Infantry, Companies I and K; the 2nd United States Cavalry, Company E; and a detachment of sailors of the steamer Pocahontas, under the command of First Lieutenant H L Howison, United States Navy.
Note: The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry was stationed at Camp McDowell, east of Fort Ellsworth, on Shuter's Hill, one mile west of Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, in the morning on 28 June, 1861.
Camp McDowell, east of Fort Ellsworth, on Shuter's Hill, one mile west of Alexandria, to Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, 16/17 July, 1861: The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry was ordered to Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, on 16/17 July, 1861, and was stationed at Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, on 19 July, 1861.
Note: Brigadier General T Runyon, New Jersey Militia/ Volunteers, was assigned to command the 5th Pennsylvania Infantry by General Orders No.4, Headquarters, Fourth Division, McDowell's Army, Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, on 18 July, 1861.
Disposition of troops not on the march to the front, including those within the various fortifications & camps, 19 July, 1861: Brigadier General T Runyon, New Jersey Militia/ Volunteers, Headquarters, Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia; 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, Colonel R P McDowell, Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia; 17th New York Infantry, Colonel H S Lansing, Camp Lorrilard, 200 yards north of Fort Ellsworth, and Fort Ellsworth, on Shuter's Hill, one mile west of Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia; 21st New York Infantry, Colonel W F Rogers, Fort Runyon, junction of the Columbia and the Washington & Alexandria Turnpikes, Alexandria County, Virginia; 25th New York State Militia, Colonel M K Bryan, Fort Albany, northwest of J Roach's farm, Prospect Hill, on Hoe Hill, 200 yards south of the tollgate on the Columbia Turnpike, Alexandria County, Virginia; 28th New York State Militia, Colonel M P Bennett, Fort Corcoran, a quarter of a mile southwest of Ross', Arlington Heights, Alexandria County, Virginia; Fort Bennett, a quarter of a mile northwest of W Ross' farm, Rosslyn, Arlington Heights, Alexandria County, Virginia; Aqueduct Bridge, on the Potomac River, at Georgetown, D. C.; Blockhouses No.2 and 3, south of the Aqueduct Bridge, on the Potomac River, at Georgetown, D. C.
Note: The 40th New York Infantry arrived at Camp McDowell, half a mile west of Hooffs Run, on Shuter's Hill, one mile west of Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, in the morning on 20 July, 1861 (See the 40th New York Infantry).
Washington to Harrisburg, 20-21 July, 1861
The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry was ordered to proceed by Washington Branch, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, to Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, in the afternoon on 20 July, 1861, and arrived at Camden Station, corner of South Howard and Camden Streets, Baltimore City, Maryland, at 12 AM on 21 July, 1861. The regiment was ordered to procced by the Northern Central Railroad to Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, in the morning the same day and arrived in the afternoon on 21 July, 1861.
Note: The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry was ordered to proceed by steamer on the Potomac River to the United States Arsenal, Greenleaf Point, Washington, D. C., in the morning on 20 July, 1861.
Harrisburg, Dauphin County, to Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Company K, 26 July, 1861: The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K, arrived by the Pennsylvania Railroad at Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in the morning on 26 July, 1861, and was accompanied by the 12th Pennsylvania Infantry, Companies C and K (See the Three Months' Volunteers, Departments of Annapolis and Maryland).
Note: The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company B, arrived by Pennsylvania Railroad at Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, at 7 PM on 25 July, 1861, and was accompanied by detachments of the 12th Pennsylvania Infantry, Companies A and I.
Harrisburg, Dauphin County, to Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Colonel R P McDowell, 27-28 July, 1861: Colonel R P McDowell, 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, was ordered to proceed by the Pennsylvania Railroad to Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in the evening on 27 July, 1861, and was accompanied by the 7th Pennsylvania Infantry, Companies A, B, E, F, and K; the 9th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company B, and the 13th Pennsylvania Infantry, Companies A, B, C, D, E, F, H, I, and K.
Mustered out, Capitol Park, between Third & Hight Streets & North & Walnut Streets, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 23 & 24 July, 1861: The 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company I, was mustered out at Capitol Park, between Third and Hight Streets and North and Walnut Streets, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, by Major T Williams, 5th United States Artillery, on 23 July, 1861, and Companies A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and K on 24 July, 1861.
Colonel W B Franklin, Twelfth United States Infantry, First Brigade, Third Division, McDowell's Army, 18 June, 1861, dated 14 May, 1861: Captain W B Franklin, United States Corps Topographical Engineers, was appointed colonel, 12th United States Infantry, by General Orders No.33, Paragraph I, War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, D. C., on 18 June, 1861, dated 14 May, 1861, and arrived at New York City, New York County, New York, in the morning on 3 June, 1861. Colonel W B Franklin, 12th United States Infantry, arrived by the Washington Branch, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Washington, D. C., on 30 June, 1861, and assumed command of the 4th Pennsylvania Infantry, the 5th Pennsylvania Infantry, the 5th Massachucetts Infantry, the 11th Massachucetts Infantry, and the 1st United States Artillery, Light Company I, on 1 July, 1861. Colonel W B Franklin, 12th United States Infantry, was appointed brigadier general, United States Volunteers, by General Orders No.62, War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, D. C., on 20 August, 1861, dated 17 May, 1861.
Brigadier General T Runyon, New Jersey Militia/ Volunteers, Fourth (Reserve) Division, McDowell's Army, 8 July, 1861: Brigadier General T Runyon, New Jersey Militia/ Volunteers, was assigned to command the 1st New Jersey Militia, the 2nd New Jersey Militia, the 3rd New Jersey Militia, and the 4th New Jersey Militia, on 23 April, 1861, and was assigned to command the Fourth (Reserve) Division, McDowell's Army, by General Orders No.13, Headquarters, Department of Northeastern Virginia, Arlington, Alexandria County, Virginia, on 8 July, 1861. He was discharged by General Orders No.46, Paragraph III, War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, D. C., on 19 July, 1861, dated 30 July, 1861.
Note: Colonel W B Franklin, 12th United States Infantry, was appointed acting brigadier general, United States Volunteers, at Washington, D. C., on 30 June, 1861.
Orders of Battle
The above painting, 'New York's Bravest', is by Don Troiani, modern America's finest historical artist.