2Nd Pa Infantry

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In the tumultuous spring of 1861, as the United States teetered on the brink of civil war, the 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment emerged as a pivotal military unit that embodied the patriotic spirit of central Pennsylvania. Organized at the historic Camp Curtin in Harrisburg on April 20, 1861, this regiment represented a critical response to President Abraham Lincoln’s call for volunteers in the wake of the Battle of Fort Sumter.

Regimental Composition and Origins

The regiment was initially commanded by Colonel Frederick S. Stumbaugh, with Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Welsh and Major James Given rounding out the leadership. Comprised of ten companies drawn from various counties in central and south-central Pennsylvania, the 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry represented a microcosm of the Commonwealth's commitment to preserving the Union.

Early Challenges and Movement

The regiment’s journey was fraught with early challenges. On April 21, 1861, their initial movement to Washington was dramatically interrupted when secessionists burned a railroad bridge near Cockeysville, Maryland. This incident forced the regiment to bivouac in a field, experiencing the first taste of the uncertainty and tension that would characterize the Civil War.

Military Campaigns and Engagements

By June 1, 1861, the 2nd Pennsylvania was stationed in Chambersburg and attached to General George Wynkoop’s 2nd Brigade within General William Keim’s Division. Their primary mission was part of General Robert Patterson’s strategic plan to advance into the Shenandoah Valley and prevent Confederate reinforcements from supporting their forces at Manassas Junction.

Notable Military Movements

• Moved to Hagerstown, Maryland on June 16
• Crossed the Potomac River at Falling Waters on July 2
• Occupied Martinsburg, Virginia from July 3 to July 15
• Advanced on Bunker Hill

Service Duration and Conclusion

As a three-month regiment, the 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry’s service was relatively short but significant. By July 26, 1861, they were mustered out in Harrisburg, having suffered minimal casualties—only two men died of disease during their entire enlistment.

🇺🇸 Note: While their active service was brief, the 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry represented the initial wave of volunteers who answered the call to preserve the Union during the Civil War's earliest days.