GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2025

Status

Working

Abstract

Christopher C. Wilmarth (my great-great-uncle) served with the 141st Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers from August 1862 until June 1863. On May 3, 1863, Christopher was wounded in his leg during the third day of the Battle of Chancellorsville. He was left on the battlefield when the Union army retreated, and he was captured by the Confederates. He remained a Confederate prisoner for at least ten days, and he suffered from exposure to the elements and a lack of adequate medical care until he was returned to the Union army. After multiple amputations, Christopher died in a Union army hospital on June 9, 1863.

This study describes Christopher’s military service with the 141st Regiment and provides an overview of that Regiment’s remarkable record of courage and perseverance during the Civil War. This study provides detailed descriptions of the 141st Regiment’s participation in the Battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. On the third day of the Battle of Chancellorsville and the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg, the Regiment made heroic defensive stands, conducted disciplined fighting withdrawals, and suffered very heavy casualties.

Despite its devastating losses at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, the 141st Regiment continued to serve with great distinction in the Army of the Potomac’s campaigns through the end of the Civil War. Of the 1,040 soldiers who enlisted in the Regiment, only one-third were still serving on May 28, 1865, when the Regiment was mustered out of service. The other two-thirds were killed in battle, died from wounds or diseases, or were discharged for disabilities caused by wounds or illnesses. Among all Union regiments, the 141st Regiment had the tenth highest percentage of soldiers (16.1%) who were killed or died from wounds during the war. This study salutes and honors the courage and devotion of Christopher C. Wilmarth and his Regimental comrades.

GW Paper Series

2025-58

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