Civil War infantry regiments consisted of a staff, 10 companies, musicians, and medical. Staff consisted of a Colonel, a Lieutenant Colonel, a Major, an Adjutant, a Sergeant Major, Quartermasters, and aides. The words "regiment" and "battalion" are more or less interchangable however, the word regiment refered more to the administrative organization while being raised, while the word battalion refered to the regiment once it was organized and took to the field to fight. The battalion was the basic fighting unit with all 10 companies working together. Companies were commanded by a Captain with several Lieutenants and an NCO staff of Sergeants and Corporals aiding the him. Companies were lettered A through K, skipping the letter J, to avoid confusion with the letter I. Companies numbered about 100 men when first raised but were quickly reduced by disease and battle casualties.

With a detailed look at the men of Company K on the previous page, here is a look at the men who made up the rest of the 81st PA. These pages are still evolving and information will continue to be posted. Please come back.