83rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment
Union Army volunteer infantry regiment
The 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment also nicknamed the "Pennsylvania Mud Turtles" was a volunteer infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War, first organized at Erie in September, 1861. The 83rd participated in almost every major battle in the East, including Seven Days Battles, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Petersburg and Appomattox Court House.
Organization
The Erie Regiment, commanded by Col. John W. McLane, serving for three months' service, was just disbanded when the news of the defeat of the First Battle of Bull Run, had spread across the nation. triggering a sense of shock, due to the unexpected defeat when they widely anticipated a quick and easy victory.
On July 24, 1861, McLane was given authority to raise a three years' service from the Secretary of War, Simon Cameron, when recruitment began, over 1,000 joined the regiment in less than a week, including 300 who previously served in the Erie Regiment. The regiment was organized in Erie and subsequently mustered into service on September 8, 1861.
The companies of this regiment was mainly recruited from the counties of Erie, Crawford, Warren, Venago and Mercer. The men rendezvoused at Camp McLane, near the city of Erie, where it was mustered into service on September 8, 1861.
Service
Early service
After they were mustered, the 1,000 strong regiment left the state and moved to Washington D.C, receiving their uniforms and armaments, which were Harper's Ferry muskets.
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