50th Pennsylvania Volunteers - my family within it's ranks

[RustyRelics]

I have three 3x great uncles on my grandmothers side, who fought with the 50th Pennsylvania volunteers during the Civil War. Here is what little I know about them, and some regimental history.

50th P.A. Vol.

Killed:

8 officers, and 156 men killed and mortally wounded in battle. 4 officers, and 180 men killed by disease. Total killed and wounded (including non-mortal wounds) 594. Company A where my uncles fought, lost 21 men. Second highest casualty rate in the regiment.

Battles fought:

50th PA Regiment Organization, Service & Battles

Service & Battles - 1861
Sherman's Expedition to Port Royal, S. C, October 21-November 7, 1861.
Sailed on Steamer "Winfield Scott" and shipwrecked off coast of North Carolina.
Service & Battles - 1862
Occupation of Beaufort, S.C., December 6. Port Royal Ferry, Coosaw River, January 1, 1862.
Duty at Port Royal Island, S.C., till July, 1862.
Barnwell's Island, S.C., February 10 (Co. "D").
Pocotaligo May 29.
Camp Stevens June 7.
Moved to Hilton Head, S.C.,
Thence to Newport News, Va., July 14-18,
Thence to Aquia Creek and Fredericksburg, Va., August 3-6.
Operations in support of Pope August 6-16.
Pope's Campaign in Northern Virginia August 16-September 2.
Sulphur Springs August 24.
Battles of Groveton August 29;
Bull Run August 30;
Chantilly September 1.
Maryland Campaign September 6-24.
Battles of South Mountain, Md., September 14;
Antietam September 16-17.
March to Pleasant Valley September 19-October 2,
And duty there till October 25.
Movement to Falmouth, Va., October 25-November 19.
Battle of Fredericksburg December 12-15.
Service & Battles - 1863
Burnside's 2nd Campaign January 20-24, 1863.
At Falmouth till February 12.
Moved to Newport News February 12-14,
Thence to Kentucky March 21-26.
Duty at Paris, Ky., till April 27.
Moved to Nicholasville, Lancaster and Stanford April 27-29,
Thence to Somerset May 6-8,
Thence through Kentucky to Cairo, Ill., June 4-10,
And to Vicksburg, Miss., June 14-17.
Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., June 17-July 4.
Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 5-10.
Siege of Jackson July 10-17.
At Milldale till August 12.
Moved to Covington, Ky., August 12-23.
Burnside's Campaign in East Tennessee August to October.
Action at Blue Springs, Tenn., October 10.
Clinch Mountain October 27.
Knoxville Campaign November 4-December 23.
Campbell's Station November 16.
Siege of Knoxville November 17-December 5.
Pursuit of Longstreet's army to Blain's Cross Roads December 5-26.
Service & Battles - 1864
Reenlisted at Blain's Cross Roads January 1, 1864.
Moved to Annapolis, Md., April, 1864.
Rapidan Campaign May 4-June 12.
Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7;
Spottsylvania May 8-12;
Ny River May 9;
Spottsylvania Court House May 12-21.
Assault on the Salient May 12.
North Anna River May 23-26.
Ox Ford May 24.
Line of the Pamunkey May 26-28.
Totopotomoy May 28-31.
Cold Harbor June 1-12.
Bethesda Church June 1-3.
Before Petersburg June 16-18.
Service & Battles - 1865
Siege of Petersburg June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865.
Mine Explosion, Petersburg, July 30, 1864.
Weldon Railroad August 18-21.
Poplar Springs Church or Peeble's Farm September 29-October 2.
Reconnoissance on Vaughan or Squirrel Level Road October 8.
Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher's Run, October 27-28.
Fort Stedman March 25, 1865.
Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9.
Assault on and fall of Petersburg April 2.
Pursuit of Lee to Burkesville April 3-9.
Moved to City Point,
Thence to Washington, D.C., April 21-28.
Grand Review May 23.
Present at the laying of corner stone at Gettysburg July 4.
Mustered out July 30, 1865.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Treasure of Victoria Peak - Grab it through Amazon!

[RustyRelics]

The 50th P.A. was a courageous regiment, who fought in the hottest places in some famous battles. From a stand off at Fox's Gap, To a double quick charge at Snavelys Ford at Antietam, with heavy artillery cross fire from both sides, to the Overland campaign, where the 50th led a bayonet charge at Spotsylvania, uphill at half strength, to the Wilderness, where hand to hand combat erupted between the lines. I am still trying to learn more about this regiment.

 

[RustyRelics]

I know little about my uncles, mainly because records about average Joe's from Pennsylvania are sketchy at best.

My 3x great uncle Daniel Trautman, was a coal miner, deep in Pennsylvania's Anthracite region. He was 5'7, had black hair and blue eyes. He lived in Llewellyn Pennsylvania at the time of the war. He enlisted in the 6th P.A. Vol., then joined the 5oth on 8/19/61. He was discharged 12/28/64 via surgeons certificate. I do not know what surgeons certificate means. He fought in nearly all major battles the 50th participated in, earning himself veteran status in the process. He was murdered in 1880 by a botched robbery attempt.


https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Romberger_Trial

 

[devldog]

Rusty, I believe it would be better stated telling where the 50th PA. didn't serve as to opposed to where they did. They were everywhere.

 

[RustyRelics]

Rusty, I believe it would be better stated telling where the 50th PA. didn't serve as to opposed to where they did. They were everywhere.

'cept Gettysburg. That's about it. More stuff is coming.

 

[RustyRelics]

I remember reading a story about the 50th at Petersburg. They had been issued salted mackerel for rations. They were so salty, that the men threw the fish in a muddy pool of water to let the salt seep out. Then, they heard the order "FALL IN!"and then they heard the eerie rebel yell. The enemy was on top of them! Desperately, they grabbed their muskets, and made a counter charge. They repulsed the rebels, and then went back for their dinner. They were a tough bunch!

 

[RustyRelics]

Elias T. Trautman also served. He enlisted on February 28th, 1864. His appearance matched Daniel's almost exactly. He was a blacksmith before the war. He lived in Schuykill county Pennsylvania, although records don't say where. He is listed as severely wounded at the battle of the wilderness. He suffered a point blank shot to the chest. He survived the war.

Emanuel Trautman matched his brothers appearances, except for his blonde hair. He was a wheelright before the war. Search me what a wheelright does. He was wounded at the battle of Petersburg, but records aren't clear as to how bad. He stayed in Campbell hospital.

 

[RustyRelics]

The 50th in South Carolina




A closeup of part of the unit at Gettysburg, 1865.




Gettysburg, 1865



50th PA officers at Gettysburg, 1865.

 

[RustyRelics]

First flag the regiment carried. It was so torn up from shot and shell, the obviously had to replace it.




Flag with battle honors, received at the grand review.




Second national colors.

 

[RustyRelics]

I am looking for relics, preferably bullets, from 50th PA campsites! Please, if you know that you have a relic from a campsite/place where they were, please PM me!

 

[devldog]

Rusty, those are some great pic's. If I'm correct, A wheelright was the maker of wheels for wagons and carriages. This is what I have heard in the past. It is great that you know so much of your families History.

 

[RustyRelics]

Rusty, those are some great pic's. If I'm correct, A wheelright was the maker of wheels for wagons and carriages. This is what I have heard in the past. It is great that you know so much of your families History.

It took a lot of researching, and a lot of it I found on the computer. My 3x great grandfather was in the 172nd P.A. for a year, and then was relieved. A fourth uncle served, twice, but he used a different name, so now I can't find him.

 

[RustyRelics]

Well I found out something amazing. I had another uncle who served. Martin Trautman. He joined the 26th Pennsylvania Emergency Regiment in early June, 1863, and deserted before the battle of Gettysburg. He reenlisted in the 148th PA, then died of disease in 1864.

That's not all! Before Elias joined the 50th, he joined the 26th Pennsylvania Emergency Regiment, and fought...er ran...at Gettysburg! So I did have a relative "fight" in Gettysburg after all!

 

[RustyRelics]

Found another one! Henry Trautman, 172nd PA, musician.

 

[GoldieLocks]

My great great grandfather was Lt. col Eli G. Sellers of I think it was 31 or 33rd in PA. They fought at Gettysburg, and he is listed on the memorial with the Liberty Bell.

 

[RustyRelics]

My great great grandfather was Lt. col Eli G. Sellers of I think it was 31 or 33rd in PA. They fought at Gettysburg, and he is listed on the memorial with the Liberty Bell.

91st PA: Eli Griffith Sellers

Is this him?