Civil War
1861 - 1865
Civil War Battle Streamers
Antietam
Fredericksburg
Chancellorsville
Gettysburg
Wilderness
Spotsylvania
Cold Harbor
Petersburg
Shenandoah
Appomattox
Maryland 1862
Maryland 1864
Pennsylvania 1863
Virginia 1863
Figure (left) depicts the 1st Regiment Gray Reserves mobilized in April 1861. The enlisted Hardee hat trim shows 1st Regiment dismounted overcoat and State issued accoutrements. The State belt & cartridge box plates were worn only by this unit in the State who obtained these unique plates. Worn prior to being fielded as the 118th and 119th. The 32nd (organized by the veteran organization) called up for Gettysburg wore these plates, a set of equipment with these plates found in Carlisle.
A figure (right) showing a Sergeant in the field uniform of the active 3-year service units. The insignia on his kepi indicates he is with the 119th Pennsylvania Infantry. His rank is shown by the chevrons on the field tunic and the NCO sword carried on his hip.
The framed Broadside is an original enlistment banner flown at a recruiting site.
TIMELINE
1861
April 19
Reorganized and redesignated in part as the 1st Regiment Infantry, Gray Reserves.
While remaining in state service the former 1st Artillery Regiment (also known as the Gray Artillery Battalion), 1st Brigade, 1st Division, formed the following units for Federal service:
April 25
1st Artillery Regiment mustered into Federal service at Philadelphia to consist of the following companies:
- Washington Grays (2 companies)
- Cadwalader Grays
- Philadelphia Grays
- West Philadelphia Grays
- Independent Grays
- State Guards
- National Artillery
1861
may 15
Redesignated as the 17th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry
August 2
Mustered out of Federal service at Philadelphia.
1862
August 15-30
118th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment (Corn Exchange of Philadelphia) mustered into Federal service at Philadelphia
15 August-17 September
119th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment (Gray Reserves) mustered into Federal service in Philadelphia
1863
June 26
32d Regiment (Gray Reserves), Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia mustered into Federal service in Harrisburg.
August 1
32d Regiment (Gray Reserves) was mustered out of Federal service in Philadelphia
1865
June 1
118th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment was mustered out of Federal service in Philadelphia.
June 19
119th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment was mustered out of Federal service in Philadelphia.
1866
September 18
Reorganized as the 1st Regiment of Infantry, Gray Reserves, Reserve Brigade, Pennsylvania Militia
Colonel Sylvester Bonnifon - Medal of Honor
A native Philadelphian, he enlisted into the 99th PA Volunteer Infantry in 1861. Promoted to Lieutenant in five months. Served in the battles of 2nd Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, and Vicksburg. Awarded the Medal of Honor and brevet promotion to LTC for “gallant and meritorious service in spite of wounds” in the Battle of Boyton Plank Road. Saw service in the Appomattox campaign. Returned to his civilian career as head cashier in the Port of Philadelphia after the war. Joined the PA National Guard as a private, then quickly promoted to CPT and company commander, in 1868-1874 in the First Pennsylvania Infantry. Commissioned as COL and regimental commander of the 20th PA Regiment in 1877, led his regiment in quelling the unrest in Scranton-Wilkes Barrie due to a coal miners’ strike. Retired in 1890.
Gallery
Gavel & Block
Civil War gavel and block of the 119th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, know as the "Corn Exchange Regiment". The Corn Exchange Bank of Philadelphia sponsored the Regiment.
Confederate Officer's Dress Belt
Civil War South Carolina Officer’s Dress Belt. Attached notes indicate it was captured from General Longstreet's supply wagon.
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