Record of Events for Company G, 61st Pennsylvania Volunteers
The "record of events" was one of the items of paperwork that each Union regiment and the companies within it were supposed to complete every other month in tandem with a company muster roll. Like all forms of paperwork in the army, adherence to this regulation was spotty at times (particularly as the war dragged on), and the amount of detail in the record varied considerably from unit to unit and from report to report. Transcriptions of the actual event documents are in the possession of the National Archives and they are available on microfilm.
Listed below are some of the more significant record of event entries for Company "G" in the 61st Pennsylvania Volunteers:
March and April 1862 - completed when stationed at Camp Scott, near Yorktown, VA
The company was transferred from the 23rd Regt. Penna. Vols. to the 61st Regt. Penna. Vols. March 1, 1862 and is now "G" Co. 61st Regt. P.V. formerly "P" Co. 23rd Regt. P.V. The Regiment left Camp Stanton D.C. at 1 o'clock PM March 10, 1862. Marched with Graham's Brigade to Prospect Hill, Va. by way of Washington D.C. and Chain Bridge. Bivouacked at Prospect Hill three days - left Prospect Hill on the morning of the 14th for Chain Bridge. On the 16th left Chain Bridge and arrived at Camp Stanton same day. Left Camp Stanton March 25, 1862. Arrived & bivouacked at Alexandria Va. Embarked 26th on propeller "Farmer" arrived at Fortress Monroe 28th. Bivouacked at Hampton 29th. Left on 30th & arrived at Newport News. Left Newport News on the 4th of April & arrived at Camp Scott near Warwick Court House April 6, 1862.
May and June 1862 - completed when stationed at Malvern Hills, VA
his company left Warwick Court House, Va. May 4, 1862 advanced with the Army of the Potomac. Bivouacked on the battlefield of Williamsburg the 5th, detailed same night to take charge of prisoners captured by General Hooker's division. Returned to Regt. on the 7th at Williamsburg. Marched on the 9th. Bivouacked at Ropers Church. 13, 14 & 15th - New Kent Court House. 17th -reconnaissance to Bottom Bridge. 18, 19 & 20th - encamped near Chickahominy River. On 23rd made reconnaissance to White Oak Swamp. Bivouacked for the night. 25th - marched to Seven Pines. 29th - advanced to Fair Oaks. Company ordered out to find the enemy. Deployed company as skirmishers advanced to the front one mile and found the enemy in full force about two miles from our camp. May 31st, Battle of Fair Oaks, in which the company was engaged. Remained at Fair Oaks until June 16th when we marched to Seven Pines. Regt. went on picket the 26th and 27th by the enemy in front of Hooker's division. Returned to camp. Marched same night to Smith's division and at 2 o'clock in the morning of the 28th, marched for White Oak Swamp. Crossed the bridge at Meridian, bivouacked 2 miles from bridge. 29th - at sundown marched to James River. 30th - marched to Malvern Hill.
July and August 1862 - completed when stationed in camp at Alexandria, VA
The Company with the Regiment engaged the enemy at Malvern Hills July 1, 1862. Marched from Malvern Hills July 2nd for Harrison's Landing. Remained at Harrison's Landing until August 16, 1862 when we marched to Charles City, Va. August 17th marched to and crossed Chickahominy River. 18th & 19th - marched to Yorktown. Left Yorktown August 30th. Arrived at Alexandria, Va. August 31st 1862.
September and October 1862 - completed when stationed at Rohrersville, MD
This Company with the Regt. left Alexandria, Va. Sept. 1, 1862 and marched beyond Fairfax Court House when we halted. Returned to Alexandria Sept. 4, 1862 forming a portion of the rear guard of General Pope's command. Left Alexandria for Chain Bridge Sept. 5, 1862. Left Chain Bridge Sept. 5/62 and marched to Potomac Cross Roads. Made reconnaissance at the Cross Roads 8 days guarding the Poolsville Road and Dudley's Ford. Left Cross Roads Sept. 14th to join the division at Jeffersonville, Md. Crossed South Mountain and joined the division on the march to Antietam Sept. 17, 1862. Bivouacked on the field of battle. Sent to the front on the 18th, remained in line of battle 24 hours. On the morning of the 19th discovered the enemy had retreated. Marched through and beyond Sharpsburg. Left Sharpsburg Sept. 20th for Williamsport, Md. Skirmished with the enemy in the afternoon. Lost one man killed in the Regt. Sept. 23rd marched to Downsville, Md. and encamped. Left Downsville Oct. 18th 7 o'clock PM arrived at Clear Spring. Left Clear Spring on the morning of the 19th arrived at Hancock, Md at 4 PM. Left Hancock Oct. 21st arrived at Fair View and bivouacked for the night. Remained at Fair View until the 27th when the division marched to Williamsport, Md. Left for Downsville and encamped on the evening of the 29th. On the 31st took up line of march for Rohrersville. Arrived at 2 PM and bivouacked for the night. Was mustered for pay that day.
May and June 1863 - completed when stationed at camp near Manchester, MD
Crossed the Rappahannock River at Franklin's Crossing May 1/63. Advanced to the front on picket. May 2, 1863 advanced our line at sun down, driving in the enemy. May 3/63 advanced to Fredericksburg at daylight. At 10:30 o'clock our Regt. was ordered to charge the Rifle Pits on the road leading to Saint Maryes Heights. In the charge the Co. lost one man killed and five wounded. Recrossed the river at Banks Ford. Left the Rappahannock River June 13/63. Marched by way of Brooks Station, Stafford, Dumfries, Fairfax and Centerville to Bristow Station arriving there June 20/63. Left Bristow Station June 25/63 marching by way of Centerville, Drainsville, Edwards Ferry, Poolsville, Hyattstown, Nwe Market, Westminster arriving at Manchester June 30/63.
July and August 1863 - completed when stationed near Warrenton, VA
The Co. with the Regt. was ordered to march on the evening of July 1/63. Took up line of march and left Manchester for Gettysburg, Pa arriving there at 5 o'clock PM July 2nd. Distance marched about 34 miles. Went to the front and lay in line of battle that night. On the 3rd & 4th we were thrown on our extreme right. On the 5th at 9 o'clock PM advanced with the Brig. to near Fairfield. On the 6th we formed line of battle and advanced 3 miles. On the 7th crossed the South Mountain to Waterloo and thence to Waynesboro where we remained until the 12th. Advanced to Frankstown, Md. and formed line of battle. On the 14th advanced to Williamsport, Md. On the 15th went to Boonesboro. On 16th marched to near Gapland, Md. On the 19th crossed the Potomac River and bivouacked near Hillsboro, Va. On the 20th marched to near Philomont. 22nd marched to Uniontown. 23rd marched to White Plains. On the 24th the Co. was detailed to guard supply train to Linden, Va. Was ordered when on the road to turn off and make Warrenton by way of Salem. Arrived at Warrenton n the morning of the 25th marching 28 miles. Since the 25th of July we have been laying near Warrenton.
September and October 1863 - completed when stationed at Warrenton, VA
September 15, 1863, the Co. with the Regt. left camp near Warrenton, Va and marched to Stone House Mountain arriving there on the evening of the 16th Sept. Remained there until Oct. 5/63 when we marched to Robinson River, Va. On the night of the 10th we left Robinson River and reached Rappahannock Station on the afternoon of the 11th distance about 30 miles. On the 12th we advanced to Brandy Station. 14th marched to Centerville, thence to Chantilly. On the 19th advanced to Gainsville. On the 20th arrived at Warrenton, Va. and encamped to this date Oct. 31/63.
November and December 1863 - completed when stationed at Brandy Station, VA
Nov. 7, 1863, the Co. with the Regt. broke camp at Warrenton, Va. and advanced to Rappahannock Station, a distance of 9 miles, taking part in the storming of the heights. On the 8th advanced in line of battle to Brandy Station 7 miles. On 9th moved into camp near Hazel River. On 20th we again broke camp and marched to the Rapidan, a distance of 15 miles, where we crossed at Germanna Ford. On the 27th we again advanced in support of 3rd Corps who were engaging the enemy. On 28th marched beyond Robertsons Farm about 4 miles. On 29th moved again to right at Mine Run. Dec 1st we pulled back again across the Rapidan as rear guard, recrossing at Culpeper Mine Ford having marched about 20 miles. We remained at Rapidan until 3rd when we moved back to our old camp near Hazel River where we now are.
May and June 1864 - completed when stationed at Reams Station, VA
Company G has taken an active part in all the battles with the Army of the Potomac from May 5 up to the present day.
Edited by: Rich Walsh