Unit: 85th Pennsylvania
Unit Affiliations:
(1), 1, X, Army of the James
(1), 1, XXIV, Army of the James (while attached to 199th PA)
Provost Guard, 1, XXIV, Army of the James
Title: History of the Eighty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, 1861-1865
Author: Luther S. Dickey
SOPO’s Take: This unit history was produced and endorsed by the regiment itself. Despite the late publishing date of 1915, this book relies mainly on the Official Records as well as extensive and detailed diaries kept by no less than four members of the regiment. In this way, it seems to be a very accurate description of the unit’s participation in the war. The Bermuda Hundred Campaign and the Richmond-Petersburg Campaign are covered in GREAT detail. The 85th PA was posted near Ware Bottom Church at Bermuda Hundred for much of May-August 1864, and participated in the fighting on June 16-17, 1864 as Pickett’s Division retook the Howlett Line which had been abandoned by Beauregard. They also participated in the Expedition to Establish a Bridgehead at Deep Bottom from June 20-25, 1864, fought at Second Deep Bottom from August 14-18, 1864, were on the far right and mostly out of direct fighting at Chaffin’s Farm on September 29-30, 1864, and took part in the Battle of New Market and Darbytown Roads on October 7, 1864, before leaving the front on October 14, 1864. This book has allowed me to produce an almost daily itinerary of the 85th Pennsylvania’s activities during the Siege of Petersburg. The itinerary should appear as link on the main 85th Pennsylvania page shortly after this post goes live.
Book Summary/Review:
SOPO Siege of Petersburg Book Notes:
Publisher: New York, NY: J. C. & W. E. Powers
Publication Date: 1915
ISBN-13: N/A
Links to Read/Buy: