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145th Pennsylvania Infantry

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Muster In: September 5, 18621
Muster Out: May 31, 18652

Commander(s):
Lieutenant Colonel David B. McCreary
David B. McCreary 145th PA3

Major Charles M. Lynch
Charles M. Lynch 145th PA4

Major George D. Pifer (53rd Pennsylvania)
GeorgeDPifer53rdPA5

Captain James H. Hamlin
James H. Hamlin 145th PA6

Captain Melvin H. Bemis
Commander Image

Captain Peter W. Free
Commander Image

First Offensive Order of Battle: Fourth Brigade | First Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army7

  • Commander:
    • Lieutenant Colonel David B. McCreary (June 7-16, 1864)(captured on June 16, 1864)8,9
    • Major Charles M. Lynch (June 16-18, 1864)10
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons: Springfield Rifles (.58 caliber) (June 30, 1864)11

Second Offensive Order of Battle: Fourth Brigade | First Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army12,13

  • Commander:
    • Major Charles M. Lynch (June 19-22, 1864)(captured June 22, 1864)14
    • Captain James H. Hamlin (from June 22, 1864)15,16
  • Unit Strength: ~75 officers and men PFD (June 23, 1864)17
  • Weapons: Springfield Rifles (.58 caliber) (June 30, 1864)18

Third Offensive Order of Battle: Fourth Brigade | First Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army19,20

  • Commander: Captain James H. Hamlin (at least July 31, 1864)21,22
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Fourth Offensive Order of Battle: Fourth Brigade | First Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army23,24

  • Commander: Captain James H. Hamlin (August 31, 1864)25,26
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Fifth Offensive Order of Battle: Fourth Brigade | First Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army27

  • Commander:
    • Captain James H. Hamlin28
    • Captain Melvin H. Bemis (briefly in late September 1864)29
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Sixth Offensive Order of Battle: Fourth Brigade | First Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army30

  • Commander:
    • Captain Melvin H. Bemis (October 31, 1864)31
    • Captain James H. Hamlin (?)32
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Seventh Offensive Order of Battle: Fourth Brigade | First Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army33

  • Commander:
    • Captain James H. Hamlin (December 1-16, 1865 and possibly late December 1865)34
    • Major George D. Pifer (53rd Pennsylvania)(December 16-?, 1864)35
    • Captain Peter W. Free (December 31, 1864)36,37
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Eighth Offensive Order of Battle: Fourth Brigade | First Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army38,39

  • Commander: Captain James H. Hamlin (January 31 & February 28, 1865)40,41,42
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Ninth Offensive Order of Battle: Fourth Brigade | First Division | II Corps | Army of the Potomac | Union Army43,44

  • Commander: Captain James H. Hamlin (March 31, 1865)45,46
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Dyer’s Compendium Info:
Petersburg Campaign Battles47:

  • Before Petersburg June 16-18.48
  • Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865.
  • Jerusalem Plank Road June 22-23, 1864.
  • Demonstration north of the James at Deep Bottom July 27-29.
  • Deep Bottom July 27-28.
  • Mine Explosion, Petersburg, July 30 (Reserve).
  • Demonstration on north side of the James at Deep Bottom August 13-20.
  • Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, August 14-18.
  • Ream’s Station August 25.
  • Reconnaissance to Hatcher’s Run December 7-10.
  • Dabney’s Mills, Hatcher’s Run, February 5-7, 1865.
  • Watkins’ House March 25.
  • Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9.
  • Skirmishes on line of Hatcher’s and Gravelly Runs March 29-30.
  • Hatcher’s Run or Boydton Road March 31.
  • Crow’s House March 31.
  • Sutherland Station April 2.

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. Image used with the permission of 145th PA expert Patrick Knierman.  This CDV is from Mr. Knierman’s private collection and may not be reproduced without his written permission.  All rights reserved. ↩
    4. Image used with the permission of 145th PA expert Patrick Knierman.  This CDV is from Mr. Knierman’s private collection and may not be reproduced without his written permission.  All rights reserved. ↩
    5. Image used with the permission of Marlene Ford.  Pifer is her ancestor and she has been collecting information on him for the last 20 years. If you have more information on Major Pifer, his short stint as commander of this regiment, or his time in the 53rd Pennsylvania, please leave a comment here and I’ll put you in contact with her.  This image is from Ms. Ford’s private collection and may not be reproduced without her written permission.  All rights reserved. ↩
    6. Image used with the permission of 145th PA expert Patrick Knierman.  This CDV is from Mr. Knierman’s private collection and may not be reproduced without his written permission.  All rights reserved. ↩
    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), pages 219-220 ↩
    8. Information courtesy of 145th expert Patrick Knierman, who writes: “McCreary returned to the 145th on June 7th at Cold Harbor. He had been absent on recruiting duty since January. On June 16th, he led the 145th in its assault on Battery 14. When Colonel Beaver of the 148th PA (who was leading the brigade) was wounded, McCreary assumed command of the brigade, or at least what remained of it in the ditch before Battery 14. The men were outflanked and McCreary ordered them to surrender. His actions in surrendering the men caused Major General Hancock to order an investigation as to its propriety. McCreary spent the rest of the war as a POW in Macon and Charleston.”  Patrick has been studying the 145th Pa for over 20 years, and contributed to a 2 volume history of the regiment.  His sources on McCreary include Compiled Military Service Record, David B. McCreary, National Archives; A History of the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers, J. Muffly; “Reminisces of the Civil War” Sgt. Stephen Osborn (Co. G, 145th PA); “Lost Colors of the Seventh Heavy Artillery” in Third Annual Report of the State Historian of the State of New York, 1897; 145th Pennsylvania Regimental Order and Letter book, National Archives. ↩
    9. “From the Front.” The Daily Express (Petersburg, VA). June 17, 1864, p. 2 col. 2-4 ↩
    10. Information courtesy of 145th expert Patrick Knierman, who writes: “Lynch managed to escape from in front of Battery 14 with a few men, although he suffered a bad bruise on the chest from a spent musket ball. He assumed command of the 145th and let it through the next few days. At Jerusalem Plank Road (or Strawberry Plains, or Williams Farm) on June 22nd, he was captured by troops from General Wrights Georgia Brigade. Lynch’s biography stated he was captured while fighting with sword in hand and would have been killed after capture but for the personal intervention of General Wright.  Lynch spent the next several months as a POW at Macon and Charleston until he was able to escape and made his way into union lines at Kingston, NC in March 1865.”  Patrick has been studying the 145th PA for over 20 years, and contributed to a 2 volume history of the regiment.  His sources on Lynch include Compiled Military Service Record, Charles M. Lynch, National Archives; Letter excerpts from QM Sgt. D.W. Winchester (145th PA), published in Erie Observer Newspaper, June 25, 1864. Biography of Charles M. Lynch, published in Nelson’s biographical dictionary and historical reference book of Erie County, Pennsylvania,1896, author Benjamin Whitman. ↩
    11. Volume 14 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 145th Pennsylvania Entry, Page 59; 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. ↩
    12. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), pages 219-220 ↩
    13. 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. 543 ↩
    14. Information courtesy of 145th expert Patrick Knierman, who writes: “Lynch managed to escape from in front of Battery 14 with a few men, although he suffered a bad bruise on the chest from a spent musket ball. He assumed command of the 145th and let it through the next few days. At Jerusalem Plank Road (or Strawberry Plains, or Williams Farm) on June 22nd, he was captured by troops from General Wrights Georgia Brigade. Lynch’s biography stated he was captured while fighting with sword in hand and would have been killed after capture but for the personal intervention of General Wright.  Lynch spent the next several months as a POW at Macon and Charleston until he was able to escape and made his way into union lines at Kingston, NC in March 1865.”  Patrick has been studying the 145th PA for over 20 years, and contributed to a 2 volume history of the regiment.  His sources on Lynch include Compiled Military Service Record, Charles M. Lynch, National Archives; Letter excerpts from QM Sgt. D.W. Winchester (145th PA), published in Erie Observer Newspaper, June 25, 1864. Biography of Charles M. Lynch, published in Nelson’s biographical dictionary and historical reference book of Erie County, Pennsylvania,1896, author Benjamin Whitman. ↩
    15. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), page 543 ↩
    16. Information courtesy of 145th expert Patrick Knierman, who writes: “Hamlin was captain of Company I of the 145th and the senior officer left with the remains of the 145th  (about 75 officers and men). He would lead it for most of the rest of the war, except for a couple of brief periods in the fall and winter when he was assigned to court martial duty. ” Patrick has been studying the 145th PA for over 20 years, and contributed to a 2 volume history of the regiment.  His source on Hamlin is the  Compiled Military Service Record, James H. Hamlin, National Archives. ↩
    17. Information courtesy of 145th expert Patrick Knierman, who writes: “Hamlin was captain of Company I of the 145th and the senior officer left with the remains of the 145th  (about 75 officers and men). ”  Patrick has been studying the 145th PA for over 20 years, and contributed to a 2 volume history of the regiment.  His source on this strength figure comes from unattributed newspaper accounts published in Erie Weekly Gazette, Erie Daily Dispatch, and Erie Observer newspapers in late June, early July 1864. ↩
    18. Volume 14 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 145th Pennsylvania Entry, Page 59; 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. ↩
    19. 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 252 ↩
    20. 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 730 ↩
    21. Information courtesy of 145th expert Patrick Knierman, who writes: “Hamlin was captain of Company I of the 145th and the senior officer left with the remains of the 145th  (about 75 officers and men). He would lead it for most of the rest of the war, except for a couple of brief periods in the fall and winter when he was assigned to court martial duty. ” ↩
    22. 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 730 ↩
    23. 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 613: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864” ↩
    24. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), pages 117, 129: “Return of Casualties in the Union Forces (August 1864)” ↩
    25. 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 613: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864” ↩
    26. Information courtesy of 145th expert Patrick Knierman, who writes: “Hamlin was captain of Company I of the 145th and the senior officer left with the remains of the 145th  (about 75 officers and men). He would lead it for most of the rest of the war, except for a couple of brief periods in the fall and winter when he was assigned to court martial duty. ” ↩
    27. 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. 1298. ↩
    28. Information courtesy of 145th expert Patrick Knierman, who writes: “Hamlin was captain of Company I of the 145th and the senior officer left with the remains of the 145th  (about 75 officers and men). He would lead it for most of the rest of the war, except for a couple of brief periods in the fall and winter when he was assigned to court martial duty. ” ↩
    29. Information courtesy of 145th expert Patrick Knierman, who writes: “Bemis was captain of Company C of the 145th and commanded the 145th briefly in late September 1864 while Hamlin was absent.”  Patrick has been studying the 145th PA for over 20 years, and contributed to a 2 volume history of the regiment.  His source on Bemis is Compiled Military Service Record, Melvin H. Bemis, National Archives ↩
    30. 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 459: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)” ↩
    31. 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 459: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)” ↩
    32. Information courtesy of 145th expert Patrick Knierman, who writes: “Hamlin was captain of Company I of the 145th and the senior officer left with the remains of the 145th  (about 75 officers and men). He would lead it for most of the rest of the war, except for a couple of brief periods in the fall and winter when he was assigned to court martial duty. ” ↩
    33. 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 1115: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
    34. Information courtesy of 145th expert Patrick Knierman, who writes: “Hamlin was captain of Company I of the 145th and the senior officer left with the remains of the 145th  (about 75 officers and men). He would lead it for most of the rest of the war, except for a couple of brief periods in the fall and winter when he was assigned to court martial duty. ” ↩
    35. Information courtesy of 145th expert Patrick Knierman, who writes: “Pifer was assigned to command the 145th on December 16, 1864 to “restore order and discipline”. He served for a couple of weeks until Hamlin returned to the regiment.”  Patrick has been studying the 145th PA for over 20 years, and contributed to a 2 volume history of the regiment.  His source on Pifer is the 145th Pennsylvania Regimental Order and Letter book, National Archives. ↩
    36. 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 1115: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
    37. Information courtesy of 145th expert Patrick Knierman, who writes: “Free was captain of Company H of the 145th. He commanded the 145th briefly in November 1864 while Hamlin was absent on detached service and Bemis was out on sick leave.” Patrick has been studying the 145th PA for over 20 years, and contributed to a 2 volume history of the regiment.  His source on Free is Compiled Military Service Record, Peter W. Free, National Archives. ↩
    38. 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 325: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
    39. 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 739: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
    40. 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 325: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
    41. 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 739: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
    42. Information courtesy of 145th expert Patrick Knierman, who writes: “Hamlin was captain of Company I of the 145th and the senior officer left with the remains of the 145th  (about 75 officers and men). He would lead it for most of the rest of the war, except for a couple of brief periods in the fall and winter when he was assigned to court martial duty. ” ↩
    43. 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 566: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
    44. 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 582: “Return of casualties in the Union Forces commanded by Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, March 29-April 9, 1865” ↩
    45. 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 566: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
    46. Information courtesy of 145th expert Patrick Knierman, who writes: “Hamlin was captain of Company I of the 145th and the senior officer left with the remains of the 145th  (about 75 officers and men). He would lead it for most of the rest of the war, except for a couple of brief periods in the fall and winter when he was assigned to court martial duty. ” ↩
    47. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
    48. “From the Front.” The Daily Express (Petersburg, VA). June 17, 1864, p. 2 col. 2-4 ↩

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    { 1 comment… add one }
    • jack Bovee October 17, 2022, 6:20 am

      The son of Charles and Mary Ann Lynch, formerly of Buffalo. His father was a descendent of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. While studying law, he helped recruit men into the newly formed 145th PA Volunteers as a 19 year old. He was Capt. of Co. D which was given the honor of carrying the colors for the Regiment, which they did throughout the war. “Owing to bravery and meritorious service, Capt. Lynch was soon commissioned Major, then Lieutenant Colonel, and breveted colonel. He took an active part in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Auburn, Bristow Station, Pollopotemy Creek, Cold Harbor, Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, North Anna River and [the] siege of Petersburg . . . H was badly wounded … in the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., and being found by his friends at night, he was carried from the field under the guns of the enemy. It was supposed tht he was dead, but with careful treatment he recovered, still carrying, however, a memento of the battle—a Minnie ball, which the surgeon was unable to extract.” He was offered a medical discharge in April 1863 with the promise of “several excellent appointments in the civil service” but he chose instead to return to the field, “and in the second day’s vattle of Gettysburg was again wounded while leading a charge with the colors in his hand…”
      “Col. Lynch again took a prominent part in the charge upon Spottsylvania Court House, in the Wilderness Campaign. In the command of the regiment, he led the charge over the works of the enemy at early daylight … surprised and, captured the famous Stonewall Jackson brigade, with Gens. Johnston, Stewart and a number of field and line officers and 22 cannon. Col. Lunch was one of the first over the works, and though wounded, mounted a captured artillery horse and rode through the engagement to the end … Col. Lynch was in charge at Petersburg, Val, of the most advanced skirmish line ,,, in a flank movement in support of cavalry, on July 23, [his unit] was surrounded by a confederate force and captured, fighting, sword in hand, by Gen. Wright’s Georgia brigade, and wold have been killed after capture except for the interference of Gen. Wright.”
      “He was taken to Charleston, S.C., with other prominent federal officers … [while there] he suffered from an attack of yellow fever and was nursed at the hospital by Dr. Todd, a Kentuckian, a brother-in-law of President Lincoln and a surgeon in the confederate army. While convalescing Col. Lynch made several attempts to escape, and finally succeeded, passed through the enemy’s lines clothed in the uniform of a confederate officer, and after many hardships and perils reached the Union lines at Kingston, N.C. … From here he was sent to Washington and reported to Secretary of War Stanton, to whome he gave much valuable information.”
      “Col. Lunch mustered out May 21, 1865. He was married in this city Sept. 8, 1869, to Clara J. Grant . . . [who] died Dec. 10, 1890. Their union was blessed with four children… Col. Lynch was an able attorney and filled numerous offices of public trust. He was district attorney one time … [and] collector of internal revenue of the Nineteenth district of Pennsylvania…”

      Source: Most of the above is from an obituary tribute to him in the Erie Daily Times, January 3, 1907, p. 9.

      ∞

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