CW119
King & Country
This mounted figure of one of the regiment’s best known commanding officers, Col. John W. McLane encourages his men forward as they attack an enemy position.
The 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment was made up solely of volunteers who participated in almost every major battle in the Eastern United States, including the ‘Seven Days Battle’... Antietam... Fredericksburg... Gettysburg... Petersburg and, eventually, all the way to Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House on 9 April 1865.
Another notable feature of the Regiment were its unique uniforms worn in the first two years of the war. These were in the style, cut and colours of typical French ‘Foot Chasseurs’ and had, in fact, been purchased in bulk from a military uniform contractor in Europe and then transported across the Atlantic. These in turn were adapted and in some cases, copied to suit operational requirements on active service.
One of the 83rd’s most famous engagements was as one of the four regiments alongside the 20th Maine... 44th New York and 16th Michigan defending the hillock known as Little Round Top during the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863.
During this fierce struggle the Regiment’s own Commanding Officer, Colonel Strong Vincent was mortally wounded.