1861

September 9

The 105th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers is organized under the authority of Colonel Amor A. McKnight in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Soldiers are recruited largely from Jefferson County, thus acquiring the nickname "Wild Cat Regiment." Upon organization, the men march to Washington, D.C., where they receive their supplies.

September 14

By order of General McClellan, the regiment crosses the Potomac River into Virginia and sets up Camp Jameson on the property of George Mason. For the next six months the soldiers participate in training drills in their winter quarters. Elections of officers are held during this period, and the regiment is assigned to the First Brigade of General Heintzelman's First Division, Third Army Corps.

1862

March 17

As part of the Army of the Potomac's Peninsular Campaign, the 105th steams down to Fortress Monroe and camps near the village of Hampton, Virginia.

April 7

The regiment leaves camp and heads to Yorktown, camping about two miles south of the city. The soldiers' primary work is building roads for the passage of artillery or doing picket duty.

May 5

After the Confederate evacuation of Yorktown, the 105th begins to march towards Williamsburg. The next day, three companies are used as skirmishers to enter the town. The regiment remains in the vicinity for several days and then begins to march along the Chickahominy River in the direction of Richmond.

May 31

The 105th takes part in the Battle of Fair Oaks.

June 30

The regiment takes part in the Battle of Charles City Cross-Roads.

July 1

The regiment takes part in the Battle of Malvern Hill.

July 2-August 14

The 105th remains in camp at Harrison's Landing on the James River.

August 23

Now detailed in Pope's Campaign, the regiment moves from Harrison's Landing to guard duty on the railroad from Manassas to Catlett's Station.

August 28

The 105th fights at Bristow Station.

August 29

The 105th participates in the Battle of Second Bull Run.

September 1

The regiment takes part in the Battle of Chantilly. It spends the remainder of the month as part of General Heintzelman's forces guarding Washington.

October 10

The 105th departs from Washington to march and perform picket duty between Poolesville, Maryland, and Falmouth, Virginia, near Fredericksburg.

November 22-December 10

The regiment sets up camp in Falmouth.

Based on Kate M. Scott's History of the One Hundred And Fifth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers (Philadelphia: New-World Publishing Co., 1877).

1862

December 13

Under the direction of General Burnside, the 105th leaves Falmouth and takes part in the Battle of Fredericksburg. It stays near that city until December 16. The following day, the regiment returns to the old camp near Falmouth, now named Camp Pitcher.

1863

January 20

The 105th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers is organized under the authority of Colonel Amor A. McKnight in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Soldiers are recruited largely from Jefferson County, thus acquiring the nickname "Wild Cat Regiment." Upon organization, the men march to Washington, D.C., where they receive their supplies.

The 105th leaves Camp Pitcher, Virginia, and begins a march along the Rappahannock River in the direction of Warrenton. Due to heavy rain, Burnside's army remains stuck in the mud until February 12, when the regiment returns to its camp.

March 4

Camp is relocated to Potomac Creek and named Camp Sickles. It is the site of inspections by several generals, the governor of Pennsylvania, and President and Mrs. Lincoln.

April 27

The 105th departs from Camp Sickles. This marks the beginning of the regiment's involvement in the Chancellorsville Campaign under General Hooker.

May 2-3

The 105th fights in the Battle of Chancellorsville. The remainder of the month is spent on picket duty near that city.

June

The 105th begins a northward march toward Pennsylvania as part of the Gettysburg Campaign.

July 2-3

The 105th fights in the Battle of Gettysburg. After the engagement, the regiment returns to Virginia where summer quarters are set up at White Sulphur Springs.

September 15

The regiment breaks camp and marches to a new one near Culpeper. The troops remain encamped until the Bristoe Campaign begins on October 9.

Based on Kate M. Scott's History of the One Hundred And Fifth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers (Philadelphia: New-World Publishing Co., 1877).

1863

October 13

As part of the Bristoe Campaign, the 105th takes part in a minor skirmish at Catlett's Station. Following the fight, the soldiers are assigned provost duty until October 28.

November

Again ordered to the front, the 105th quits provost duty and moves in the direction of Kelly's Ford, where the soldiers engage with the Confederates on November 7. For the next three weeks they remain camped in Brandy Station.

November 26

The Mine Run Campaign begins.

November 27

The 105th fights at the Battle of Payne's Farm.

November 28

The regiment fights at the Battle of Mine Run.

December 1

The 105th leaves Mine Run, marches to Brandy Station, and lays out its winter quarters near its previous camp.

December 28

According to a General Order of the War Department, the regiment is re-enlisted and the men are given a veteran veterans' furlough.

1864

February 21

The soldiers of the 105th return from leave with fifty new recruits and encamp two miles from Brandy Station, Virginia. The new camp is named Camp Bullock.

March 26

The corps of the Federal Army is reorganized, and the 105th is placed under Brigadier General Hays as part of the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Army Corps. The regiment remains at Camp Bullock until May 3.

May

The 105th leaves Camp Bullock when General Grant begins his Wilderness Campaign.

May 5-June 12

The 105th fights in six battles: Wilderness, Po River, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomoy, and Cold Harbor.

June 15-August 12

The regiment engages in the Petersburg Assaults of June 15-18. The troops take various positions in the Petersburg vicinity and occasionally engage with the Confederates.

August 15-16

Ordered to take part in the fighting at Deep Bottom Run, the regiment ascends the James River and meets the Confederates.

August 19

The regiment arrives back near Petersburg and performs fatigue and picket duty until October 1.

Based on Kate M. Scott's History of the One Hundred And Fifth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers (Philadelphia: New-World Publishing Co., 1877).

1864

September 1

Members of the 105th who have not re-enlisted are mustered out, and the men of the 63rd Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers are transferred to the 105th.

October

The regiment spends most of the month camped near Petersburg.

October 2

The 105th fights at Poplar Springs Church.

October 27

The 105th fights at Boydton Plank-Road. The regiment then occupies Fort Davis until November 30.

December

The 105th is ordered to join the 2nd Brigade and leaves Fort Davis for duty along the Weldon Railroad.

December 15

The regiment returns to a camp near Warrenton Station and remains there until February 5, 1865.

1865

February 6

As part of the 2nd Brigade, the 105th skirmishes at Hatcher's Run, Virginia, but returns to its own brigade afterward.

February 12-March 29

The 105th finally settles into winter quarters near Patrick Station. Between March 24 and March 29, the regiment receives 291 recruits.

April 6

The end of winter quarters marks the beginning of the 105th's involvement in the Appomattox Campaign. After a week of marching, the regiment fights its final battle at Sayler's Creek.

April 9

General Lee surrenders to General Grant at the Appomattox Courthouse, ending the Civil War. After the end of fighting, the 105th marches toward Richmond.

May 6

The regiment arrives in Richmond.

May 15

The 105th stops near Washington, D.C.

July 11

The regiment is mustered out of service.

Based on Kate M. Scott's History of the One Hundred And Fifth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers (Philadelphia: New-World Publishing Co., 1877).