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51st Pennsylvania Infantry

Editor’s Note: Do you have information on this unit’s role at the Siege of Petersburg?  Please contact us using the Contact button in the menu at the top of the screen.  We are happy to exchange information with other researchers.

Muster In: Organized at Harrisburg November 16, 1861.1
Muster Out: Mustered out July 27, 1865.2

Commander(s):
Colonel William J. Bolton
WilliamBolton51stPA3

Major Lane S. Hart
Commander Image Needed

Major Joseph K. Bolton
Commander Image Needed

Commander 4
Commander Image

First Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Third Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army4,5

Second Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Third Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army7,8

Third Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Third Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army11,12

  • Commander: Major Lane S. Hart (July 31, 1864)13
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Fourth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | Third Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army14,15

  • Commander: Captain Joseph K. Bolton (August 31, 1864)16
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Fifth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | First Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army17,18

  • Commander:
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: The 51st Pennsylvania remained in Fort Alexander Hays during the Fifth Offensive and was temporarily attached to Ferrero’s command.19

Sixth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | First Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army20,21

  • Commander: Colonel William J. Bolton (October 31, 1864)22
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Seventh Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | First Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army23

  • Commander: Colonel William J. Bolton (December 31, 1864)24
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Eighth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | First Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army25,26

  • Commander:
    • Colonel William J. Bolton (January 31, 1865)27
    • Major Joseph K. Bolton (February 28, 1865)28
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Ninth Offensive Order of Battle: First Brigade | First Division | IX Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army29,30,31

  • Commander: Colonel William J. Bolton (March 31, 1865)32
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: This unit is listed in the casualty returns for the Battle of Fort Stedman, March 25, 1865. However, the First Brigade is called out for having not been actively engaged, and the record shows no casualties.33

Dyer’s/Sifakis’ Compendium Info:
Siege of Petersburg Battles34:

  • Before Petersburg June 16-18.
  • Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865.
  • Mine Explosion, Petersburg, July 30, 1864.
  • Weldon Railroad August 18-21.
  • Poplar Springs Church, Peeble’s Farm, September 29-October 2.
  • Reconnaissance on Vaughan and Squirrel Level Road October 8.
  • Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher’s Run, October 27-28.
  • Fort Stedman March 25, 1865.
  • Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9.
  • Assault on and fall of Petersburg April 2.
  • Pursuit of Lee to Farmville.

Bibliography:

    Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Unit:

    Sources:

    1. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
    2. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
    3. This image of Colonel Bolton appears courtesy of the Historical Society of Montgomery County in Pennsylvania, and may NOT be reproduced without their express written consent.  All rights reserved.  Colonel Bolton was an original founder of the organization, and they have some of his possessions including a sword in their collection.  This image also appears here thanks to the generosity of Ronald S. Coddington, Editor and Publisher of Military Images Magazine.  This image originally appeared in: “Images of the 51st Pennsylvania Infantry.” Military Images, Vol. 3, No. 4, 1982, pp. 10–13.  Click this link to learn more about this fine publication. New subscribers can take advantage of a special introductory rate of 50% off by using the discount code PETERSBURG at shopmilitaryimages.com. ↩
    4. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 230 ↩
    5. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 550 ↩
    6. Volume 14 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 51st Pennsylvania Entry, Page 47; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C. ↩
    7. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 230 ↩
    8. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 550 ↩
    9. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 550 ↩
    10. Volume 14 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 51st Pennsylvania Entry, Page 47; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C. ↩
    11. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), page 260 ↩
    12. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 734 ↩
    13. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 734 ↩
    14. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 2 (Serial Number 88), page 617: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864” ↩
    15. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 127: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces (August 1864)” ↩
    16. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 2 (Serial Number 88), page 617: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864” ↩
    17. Sommers, Richard J. “Grant’s Fifth Offensive at Petersburg: A Study in Strategy, Tactics, and Generalship.  The Battle of Poplar Spring Church, the First Battle of the Darbytown Road, the Second Battle of the Squirrel Level Road, the Second Battle of the Darbytown Road (Ulysses S. Grant, Virginia).” Doctoral Thesis. Rice University, 1970. Print. p. 1301. ↩
    18. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 141: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces (September-October 1864)” ↩
    19. Sommers, Richard J. “Grant’s Fifth Offensive at Petersburg: A Study in Strategy, Tactics, and Generalship.  The Battle of Poplar Spring Church, the First Battle of the Darbytown Road, the Second Battle of the Squirrel Level Road, the Second Battle of the Darbytown Road (Ulysses S. Grant, Virginia).” Doctoral Thesis. Rice University, 1970. Print. p. 1301. ↩
    20. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 462: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)” ↩
    21. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), page 157: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces…Boydton Plank Road, Va., October 27-28, 1864” ↩
    22. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 462: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)” ↩
    23. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1121: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
    24. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1121: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
    25. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 331: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
    26. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 745: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
    27. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 331: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
    28. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 745: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
    29. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 573: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
    30. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 96), page 70: “Return of Casualties in the Union forces at Fort Stedman… (March 25, 1865)” ↩
    31. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 588: “Return of casualties in the Union Forces commanded by Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, March 29-April 9, 1865” ↩
    32. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 573: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
    33. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 96), page 70: “Return of Casualties in the Union forces at Fort Stedman… (March 25, 1865)” ↩
    34. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩

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