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A Historical Timeline of the

23rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment "Birney's Zouaves"

The 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteers, "Birney's Zouaves" lost 5 officers and 110 enlisted men, killed or mortally wounded and 3 officers and 70 enlisted men to disease. A total of 188. The 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteers, "Birney's Zouaves" are memorialized by a monument at Gettysburg .

Timeline of the 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment (3 Month Volunteers)

April 12, 1861	Men in The city of Philadelphia receive news posted on bulletin boards throughout the city that The Confederate State of South Carolina fired upon Fort Sumter officially starting the American Civil War. Over the next few days, thousands of men would scramble to begin to form regiments as President Lincoln called for 75,000 troops to put down the rebellion. Men who would become the 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteers, Three Month Regiment began their thoughts of enlistment. These men would be amongst the first to enlist to preserve the Union of the United States.
April 13, 1861	Col. Charles P. Dare and Lt. Col. David Bell Birney, meet at Birney's Philadelphia Law Office to discuss the recruiting of a Regiment of volunteers. They draft a letter to be wired to Harrisburg, to Gov. Curtain,which would answer the call for 75,000 Volunteers that President Lincoln would ask for tomorrow. As War fever begins to spread across the city and Nation, Birney and Dare take full advantage of the situation by acting swiftly wile emotions run high.
April 15, 1861	Birney sees Lincolns call for 75,000 troops on bulletin board in city and begins recruitment.
April 16, 1861	Birney and Dare meet at Birney's Law Office and select Officers for the 23rd PA.
April 17, 1861	After Birney and Dare hear back from Harrisburg via telegram, they choose a location for recruitment and men who will be officers of the new regiment.
April 18 - 21, 1861	Men are Recruited in Philadelphia at the Arsenal, with many members coming from the 1st Pennsylvania Militia. After only three days recruitment the regiment was full and ready for service. In the meantime Birney quarters and feeds The New Regiment at his own expense until te volunteers can be Officially mustered in to US service.
April 21 1861	Mustered in for three months service as the 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Charles P. Dare, Lieutenant Colonel David Birney, and Major George C. Spear. Encamped at Camp Union in Philadelphia. Moved to Perryville and duty by detachments along Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad, with four companies at Perryville, two at Havre-de-Grace, two at Elkton, one at Bush river, and one at Gunpowder river. The Elkton post was commanded by Major W. T. Sherman, whose battery was under Colonel Dare's orders.
April 22, 1861	Established "Camp Dare", also known as "Camp Reilly" on The north bank of the Susquaanna River in Havre De Grace. Pvt. Amos Hansell writes a letter home explaining life in the early days camp.
May 28, 1861	Relieved by the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry and moved by rail to Chambersburg , Pa. Attached to Geo. H. Thomas' Brigade, 1st Division, Patterson's Army
June 6, 1861 1861	March to Greensburg
June 15, 1861	Crossed Potomac and advanced on Martinsburg Road
June 16-24, 1861	At Williamsport
June 25, 1861,	At Downsville
July 2, 1861	Recrossed the Potomac, and engaged the enemy at Falling Waters
July 3, 1861	Occupation of Martinsburg
July 15, 1861	Advance on Bunker Hill
July 17, 1861	Moved to Charlestown, then to Harper's Ferry.
July 29, 1861	Returned to Philadelphia
July 31, 1861	Mustered out

Timeline of the 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment (3 Year Volunteers)

August, 1861	Three years regiment recruited. Colonel Dare was forced to resign due to illness, and died some time later.
August 31, 1861	Organized at Philadelphia for three years service under Colonel David Birney, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Wilhelm and Major George Spear. Fifteen companies were formed, accompanied by two vivandieres and a band of 36 musicians.
September 1861	Ordered to Washington, D.C. Attached to Buell's (Couch's) Division, Army of the Potomac and duty in the Defenses of Washington.
September 7, 1861	Arrives at "Camp Sprague" Washington, D.C. for the Defenses of Washington.
September 8, 1861	Transferred to Camp Graham , four miles north of Washington on the "Queen's Farm".
December 1861	One officer and fifty men die of Typhoid Fever in camp.
February 10, 1862	Ordered to Washington, D.C. Attached to Buell's (Couch's) Division, Army of the Potomac and duty in the Defenses of Washington.
February 20, 1862	Regiment is moved to the "Camp Clark" on better ground near Bladensburg, MD.
March 1862	Attached to 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac
March 3, 1862	Ordered Leave Camp Clark and Leave Tents behind.
March 11,1862	Major Spear resigned to become lieutenant colonel of the 61st Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment
March 10-15, 1862	Advance on Manassas, Va.
March 26, 1862	Marched to Alexandria and embarked on steamer Vanderbilt for the Virginia Peninsula
April 4, 1862	Warwick River The 23rd lost one man, the regiment's first casualty.
April 5-May 4 1862	Siege of Yorktown
May 5, 1862	Battle of Williamsburg The regiment was in reserve but lost five men wounded to artillery fire.
May 20-23, 1862	Operations about Bottom's Bridge
May 23, 1862	Reconnaissance toward Richmond
May 31-June 1, 1862	Battle of Fair Oaks The regiment lost 7 officers and 136 men in heavy fighting, including three color bearers; Lieutenant Colonel John Ely was severely wounded and Colonel Neill had his horse shot under him.
June 30, 1862	White Oak Swamp and Charles City Cross Roads At White Oak Swamp the regiment lost 14 casualties, having been split into two wings, one under Colonel Neill and the other under Captain John F. Glenn. The next day the regiment lost 2 killed and 30 wounded after spending thirteen hours under fire on the skirmish line.
July 1, 1862	Battle of Malvern Hill
July 1862	At Harrison's Landing; attached to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps.
July 20, 1862	Lieutenant Colonel Wilhelm resigned
August 5-7, 1862	Reconnaissance to Malvern Hill under the command of Major Glenn, as Colonel Neill was in temporary command of a brigade.
August 16-30, 1862	Movement to Alexandria via steamer City of Richmond (which towed a transport moving the 61st Pennsylvania) then a forced march to Chantilly
September 1, 1862	Chantilly The regiment suffered five casualties.
September 1862	Maryland Campaign. Attached to 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac
September 2,1862	The regiment rested at Alexander for a few hours, then crossed the Chain Bridge to Washington and left town on the Harpers Ferry Road.
September 11-24, 1862	Guard Potomac from White's Ford to Nolan's Ferry during battles of South Mountain and Antietam as part of an independent brigade under the command of Colonel Thomas H. Neill.
September 15, 1862	White's Ford. Company "B" captured at Nolin's Ford by Colonel White's Command. A party of 24 men of the regiment and nine men from the 2nd Rhode Island Cavalry under the command of Lieutenant Garsed of Company B were captured when they crossed to the Virginia side of the Potomac to attempt to bring in arms supposedly secreted in a barn.
September 22, 1862	Lt. Colonel Ely returns from recovering from his Fair Oaks wound, and the regiment receives a new stand of colors,a gift of the ladies of Philadelphia.
September 24, 1862	Moved to Downsville and picket duty on the Potomac
October 1862	Attached to 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Army Corps
November 1-19, 1862	Movement to Falmouth, Va.
December 12-15, 1862	Battle of 1st Fredericksburg The regiment was under the command of Major Glenn, as Colonel Neill had been recently promoted to brigadier general. The regiment was massed for the final charge but it was cancelled, and only suffered two casualties. Lieutenant Colonel Ely returned from a temporary absence to resume command, and was commissioned colonel to date from the 13th. Major John F. Glenn was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
January 20-24, 1863	"Mud March"
February-April1863	At Falmouth
April 27-May 61863	Chancellorsville Campaign.
April 29-May 21863	Operations at Franklin's Crossing. the brigade carried pontoon boats for the crossing two miles on their backs to prevent the noise of their wheels from being heard by the Confederates.
May 31863	Battle of 2nd Fredericksburg One wing of the regiment deployed under Lieutenant Colonel Glenn in a successful feint to feel Confederate positions on Marye's Heights, losing 16 men. In the charge that followed the 23rd was intended to be in reserve, but it spontaneously joined the charge and took the place of another regiment which broke. The 23rd carried the Confederate works, losing 6 killed and 27 wounded.
May 3-41863	Salem Heights and Banks' Ford The regiment sustained light losses supporting Maxhammer's Battery and in the withdrawal back across the river. Total casualties for the entire campaign were 71 killed and wounded and two captured.
June 6-131863	Operations about Deep Run Ravine
June 16 1863	The regiment marched 18 miles in extreme heat, the division losing 22 men to sunstroke, six of whom died.
June 30 1863	The regiment reaches Westminster via Poolesville and New Market
July 1 1863	Orders were received at 8 in the evening to join the fighting at Gettysburg, and the corps set off at once, cheering and singing, arriving at the field at 2 p.m. on the 2nd after a march of over 30 miles without halt or rest.
July 2-41863	Battle of Gettysburg The regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel John F. Glenn, and brought 538 men to the field. From the monument: "About 9 p.m.of July 1, (the regiment) marched from Manchester thirty-seven miles reaching the field about 2 p.m. on July 2. Coming into position about 5 p.m. with Shaler's Brigade, near Little Round Top on morning of July 3. Ordered to Culp's Hill, where it remained until ordered to support of left centre. Started in pursuit of Lee July 5." "The Regiment was placed in reserve in rear of this position at 9:30 a.m. of the 3rd, and subsequently five companies advanced into the breast-works. During the heavy cannonade it moved with the brigade to support the 'left center'." "Loss in the action- two officers and twenty-nine enlisted men killed and wounded." Captain John B. Fassett of Company F earned the Medal of Honor on July 2 when, acting as an aide, he voluntarily led a regiment to the relief of a battery and recaptured its guns from the enemy.
July 5 1863	The regiment was detailed for picket duty at Fairfield, capturing 83 prisoners.
July 9 1863	The regiment support the cavalry on the skirmish line.
July 10-11 1863	Engaged with Confederates near Funkstown .
July 19 1863	Crossed the Potomac at Berlin after being supplied with clothing.
July 20-21 1863	Proceeded to Warrenton via Manassas Gap
August 15 1863	Ordered to the mouth of the north fork of the Rappahannock on picket duty
August 17 1863	Returned to Warrenton, where the regiment was reinforced by 146 drafted men.
September 2 1863	Colonel Ely rejoined the regiment and resumed command.
October 9-22 1863	Bristoe Campaign
November 7-8 1863	Advance to line of the Rappahannock
November 7 1863	Rappahannock Station (Reserve)
November 26-December 2 1863	Mine Run Campaign The regiment lost 1 killed and 7 wounded.
December 6 1863	Colonel Ely resigned due to his wounds and sickness. Lt. Colonel Glenn was commissioned colonel and assumed command of the regiment. Major William Wallace became lieutenant colonel, and Captain Henry Rees was promoted to major.
December 1863	The regiment received a new stand of colors bearing the names of the regiment's battles, as well as six hundred pairs of woolen gloves, the benefit of a Philadelphia ball given in the regiment's benefit. Ear warmers were also received from patriotic ladies in Bucks County.
December 30 1863	Regiment reenlisted; Veterans proceeded on furlough to Philadelphia under Colonel Glenn.
January 6 1864	Balance of regiment under Major Wallace moved via Wheeling and Sandusky to Johnson's Island , Lake Erie, Ohio (marching across the ice to the island) to guard Rebel Prisoners.
February 11 1864	Veterans rejoin from furlough and rejoin the regiment at Johnson's Island .
May 9-13 1864	Moved to Washington, D.C. then to Belle Plains; attached to 4th Brigade, 1st Division, 6th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, guarding Rebel Prisoners and processing them for distribution to Federal prison camps, and escorting a five hundred wagon supply train to the front.
May 23-June 12 1864	Rapidan Campaign
May 23-26 1864	North Anna River, destroyed the line of the Virginia Central Railroad
November 26-28 1864	After a forty mile march rejoined the army on line of the Pamunkey.
May 28-31, 1864	Totopotomoy The regiment was on the skirmish line, losing two men.
June 1 1864	Battle of Cold Harbor The regiment charged five hundred yards across open ground, and fought for twenty-five minutes in the Confederate works, but were forced to withdraw fifty yards, at which point they entrenched. The 23rd suffered heavy losses in this short time: 4 officers and 71 enlisted men killed, 5 officers and 111 enlisted men wounded, and 3 men captured, including Captain Henry Marchant, Lieutenants James Johnson, John D. Boyd and James G. Williamson.
June 2 1864	Major Wallace and five other men were wounded and three men killed during the heavy sharpshooting. The regiment expanded its rifle pits and entrenchments and spent the next several days in close trench warfare.
June 16 1864	After extensive marching and counter-marching, the regiment arrived at the arm of ex-President Tyler on the James River and embarked on the steamer Cauliflower for Bermuda Hundred.
June 19 1864	Crossed the Appomattox and attempted to push into Petersburg, losing ten men.
June 22-23 1864	At Petersburg ,Ream's Station, Weldon Railroad
June 25 1864	Siege of Petersburg
July 9-11 1864	Moved to Washington, leaving the trenches and marching to City Point, where the regiment embarked on the steamer Eastern States.
July 11-12 1864	Arrived at the Arsenal Wharf in Washington and immediately marched to Fort Stevens, where it formed skirmish line in front of the works.
July 14-18 1864	Snicker's Gap Expedition; marched to Poolesville, crossed the Potomac at White's Ford, and proceeded via Leesburg to Snicker's Gap.
July 1864	Operations in Shenandoah Valley; attached to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 6th Corps, Army of the Shenandoah. Returned to Washington, passing again through Leesburg and crossing the Chain Bridge, but then was ordered to return to the Shenandoah, and marched via Rockville, Centreville, Knoxville and Sandy Hook, arriving in Harpers Ferry on the 29th. After a march to Halltown, the regiment returned to Frederick, Maryland.
August 7 1864	Recrossed the Potomac and marched through Halltown, Berryville and Winchester to Cedar Creek.
August 21	Charlestown. Ordered home for muster out. Veterans and Recruits transferred to 82nd Pennsylvania Infantry
September 8, 1864	Mustered out at Philadelphia.

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