On July 24, 1861 Governor Andrew Curtin of Pennsylvania commissioned Colonel Oliver H. Rippey and ordered him to raise the 61ST PA Volunteer Infantry to meet the needs of the Union army to quell the rebellion. Colonel Rippey recruited 500 men from the Pittsburgh area, composing Companies B, C, E, F, K. 100 men were recruited from Indiana County, forming Company A. The Regiment marched to Harrisburg where additional companies were acquired forming Companies D, G, H, I. The Regiment was now at full strength, composed of men from Pittsburgh, Allegheny City, Allegheny County, Philadelphia, Mercer County, Indiana County and Luzerene County.
The 61ST was assigned to the 4th Corps under General Keyes. They were assigned to Grahmn's Brigade, Couch's Division. The Brigade consisted of the 65th, 67th New York and the 23rd, 31st and 61ST PA. Throughout the war the 61ST and the 23rd PA were close due to the 23rd's transfer of four companies in the beginning to bring the 61ST up to full strength. The 61ST was engaged at Yorktown (April, 1862), Lee's Mills (April), and Williamsburg, VA (May, 1862).
On May 31, 1862 the battle at Fair Oaks, VA saw the 61ST heavily engaged and outflanked. But the Regiment refused to give in and held its position. Col. Rippey was killed and every line officer was either killed or wounded. The Regiment lost 55% of its strength. The 61ST withdrew and later recovered the Colonel's body. He was sent home with the Regimental flag he had so heroically defended.
In June, 1862 the 61ST were engaged during the Seven Days' Battle and later at Malvern Hill (July 1, 1862). They were ordered to Harrison's Landing and embarked by boat eventually to Sharpsburg, MD the day after Antietam was so bloodily fought. By the end of the month the 61ST was assigned to the 6th Corps and began movements that would culminate in the Fredericksburg Campaign. The Regiment was heavily engaged at Marye's Heights (December, 1862) and in January, 1863 participated in the famous Burnside's Mud March.
February 3, 1863 the Light Division was formed. The 61ST was a part of this elite unit. It was composed of the most trustworthy and most reliable regiments available. The Light Division was always ready to move instantly with a battery of artillery as veteran minutemen, constantly supplied with 100 rounds of ammunition and 8 days rations.
May, 1863 the 61ST was engaged at Marye's Heights with the fighting known as the Battle of Chancellorsville. The Regiment suffered heavily and retired with the Army. The Regiment was not idle and began marching in June, north reaching Manchester, MD June 30, 1863. The Gettysburg Campaign was in full movement and the 61ST was to be involved. The 6th Corps was ordered to advance towards Gettysburg and completed 37 miles in 17 hours. They were assigned positions on Wolf's Hill and held the extreme right of the Union line. Today, this area is known locally as Lost Avenue. The 61st helped contain any Confederate advance on this end of the line. By October, 1863 the Regiment was engaged at Brandy Station, VA and then Rappahannock Station, VA in November, 1863. The 61st went into winter quarters.
In May, 1864 the Regiment was involved in the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House. General “Uncle” John Sedgwick is killed in this engagement. It is a great loss to the 61st and the 6th Corps as well as the Army of the Potomac.
From Spotsylvania Court House, to Cold Harbor, VA (June 1, 1864), to Fort Stevens (July 12, 1864) the Regiment marched to join General Sheridan in his Shenandoah Valley Campaign. Battles began with fighting at Opequan, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. The later engagements reduced the Regiment to 125 men of five companies, composed of A to E, inclusive. The rest of the Regiment was mustered out on September 3, 1864.
By the following spring (1865) the Regiment is again at full strength and on the march to Petersburg, VA. On April 2, 1865 the 61st along with the rest of the 6th Corps is formed in a wedge to attack the Confederate works. The 61st was placed third in line, 48 feet from the front the lines were to move forward, 100 yards apart. The 61st was ready, the colors were unfurled and orders were given the two sergeants and the color guard to dash forward into the enemy works and the Regiment would follow. The signal gun went off and the order,Forward,Forward was given. The Confederate line was pierced and the works were taken. Both color sergeants and the color guard were killed or wounded.
The assault of the 61st halted after capturing Lee's Headquarters and fighting the Mississippi Brigade guarding them. The final engagement was at Sailor's Creek just prior to the surrender at Appomattox Court House, VA.
Statistics of the 61ST as compared with 2000 Regiments of the Union Army:
First in the number of Officers killed or mortally wounded.
Eleventh for the greatest loss in any one battle.
Fifteenth for the greatest aggregate killed during the war.
Sixteenth for the greatest loss at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.
Seven ( 7 ) Congressional Medals of Honor awarded to men of the 61ST.
The Sixty - First Pennsylvania Volunteers never failed to perform any duty assigned to them.
Never lost a color, but captured several.
