By: Michael A Dreese. McFarland & Co, Jefferson N.C. & London, pp 190.
A decade ago historian Michael A Dreese resurrected one of the more unheralded fighting units of the American Civil War. McFarland has recently published a new paperback edition of Dreese’s excellent narrative.
Unheralded as they were one of the “9-month” regiments and curiously enough, they entered the fray at Gettysburg with less than a month left on their enlistment, yet they fought hard and took some of the heaviest casualties. They are an example of American Exceptionalism.
During the first day’s fighting in and around Gettysburg, the 151st Pennsylvania Volunteers fought in an open field for most of the day, at times anchoring the Army of the Potomac’s I Corps left flank. They also supported the Iron Brigade during a key time of fighting.
Eventually I Corps collapsed under the greater pressure of enemy infantry, forcing the survivors to retreat to Cemetery Hill. The demolished group would be held in reserve on the second day. On the third day, the regiment endured Confederate cannonade and then helping to repulse Pickett’s Charge.
The regiment was decimated losing 337 out of 446 men engaged, with a total of 80 killed or mortally wounded. Only the 24th Michigan Infantry took a greater number of causalities and/or deaths of any Union regiment.
Less than a month after the Battle the regiment was mustered out of Federal service.
