23d Pennsylvania Volunteers

The 23d Pennsylvania Volunteers, also known as Birney's Zouaves, were mustered in at Philadelphia for three months' service on April 21, 1861, mustered out on July 31, 1861, remustered for three years' service on August 2, 1861, and finally mustered out on Sept. 8, 1864, with veterans and recruits transferred to the 82d P.V. At Gettysburg, the regiment was placed in reserve in rear of this position at 9.30 a.m. on the 3d, and subsequently five companies advanced into the breast-works; during the heavy cannonade it moved with the brigade to support the left centre, suffering a loss in the action of two officers and twenty-nine enlisted men killed and wounded. About 8 p.m. on July 1, it marched from Manchester thirty seven miles, reaching the field about 2 p.m. on July 2, and went into position about 5 p.m. with Shaler's Brigade near Little Round Top; on the morning of July 3, it was ordered to Culp's Hill, where it remained until ordered to support the left centre, and it started in pursuit of Lee on July 5. The regiment participated in actions including Falling Waters, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, White Oak Swamp, Turkey Bend, Charles City X Roads, Malvern Hill, Chantilly, Fredericksburg, Mine Run, Marye's Heights, Gettysburg, Salem Church, Funkstown, Rappahannock Station, Hanover Court House in 1864, Cold Harbor, Petersburg from June 19 to July 9, Fort Stevens, and the Shenandoah Valley Campaign with Sixth Corps until August 21, 1864, when it was ordered home for muster out. Its casualties were 139 killed, 520 wounded, and 88 died.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania · United States