This regiment was recruited for the most part in Pennsylvania, and was organized at Camp William Penn, in February, 1864, with the following field officers:
Colonel Scroggs was ordered by the President to proceed with his regiment to Indianola, Texas, and there recruit three other regiments from among the freedmen, which should with his own, constitute a brigade, of which he was to be appointed Brigadier General. Accordingly, the Colonel sailed with the right wing of the regiment on the 15th of March, for New Orleans, on the steamer Suwanee, with orders to report to General Banks.
In a storm off Hatteras, the steamer sprung a leak. The water rose to within a foot of the fires, although the ship's pumps were in active operation. The men were put to work with buckets, and after thirty-six hours of the most strenuous and incessant exertions to keep her afloat, she was brought into the harbor of Beaufort, North Carolina, where she was abandoned. This threw the battalion under the command of General Wessels, at a time when the enemy was closely pressing the siege of Little Washington, and it was immediately ordered into the defenses. Here it was kept upon the front until the emergency had passed, when it was sent forward to its destination, arriving about the 1st of May.
In the meantime the left wing, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Hitchcock, had proceeded without detention, and on its arrival at New Orleans, had encamped at Carrolton, a few miles above the city. The regiment arrived in New Orleans, during the progress of the Red River campaign, which having ended in disaster, so modified the situation of affairs, that General Banks, who was in command of the department, refused to allow the regiment to go forward to Indianola. Colonel Scroggs, thereupon resigned, and Lieutenant Colonel Hitchcock was promoted to succeed him, Major Rieisinger to Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain Boudren to Major.
The regiment was then sent to Barrancas, Florida, where it relieved the Seventh Maine, and was charged with garrison duty. Colonel Hitchcock, with six companies, was ordered with regimental headquarters to the command of the post of Barrancas. Barracks, including Fort Barrancas, and the adjoining fortifications, where his men were drilled in infantry and heavy artillery service, in both of which they became proficient.
Lieutenant Colonel Reisinger, with four companies, was detached, and placed in command of Fort Pickens, commanding the entrance to Pensacola Harbor.
During the Mobile campaign, which was inaugurated in January, 1865, it was ordered to report to General Pile, for immediate service in the field, it being the purpose of the Government to organize an entire division of colored troops. It was here associated with the " Old New Orleans First," composed principally of Creoles of wealth and standing. But before arrangements had been perfected for taking the field, the enemy threatened a counter movement against Pensacola, and it became necessary to strengthen the defenses, and put the forts in a condition to withstand the siege. It was accordingly deemed inexpedient to relieve the Twenty-fifth, for a regiment inexperienced and undrilled in garrison duty, and hence it did not take part in the active operations in the field, which were soon after inaugurated.
During the spring and summer of 1865, the men suffered terribly from scurvy, about one hundred and fifty dying, and as many more being disabled for life. The mortality at one time amounted to from four to six daily. This was the result of want of proper food. Urgent appeals were made by the officers in command; but not until the disease had run its course, were these appeals answered.
The regiment remained on duty at the forts until December, when it was ordered to Philadelphia, and on the 6th, at Camp Cadwalader, was mustered out of service.
The flag which the regiment carried, was painted by a colored man in Philadelphia. It represented a Freedman in the foreground, the shackles of his bondage having just fallen from his ankles, in the act of stepping forward eagerly to receive the musket and uniform of his country's defenders which the Goddess of Liberty is presenting to him. After the return of the regiment to Philadelphia, and at the close of its last parade through the streets of that city. this flag was presented by Colonel Hitchcock, to the Union League Association of Philadelphia, George H. Boker, Esq., the poet, receiving it on behalf of the League, and responding to the language of the Colonel in an eloquent and impressive manner.
In regard to the character of the Twenty-fifth, Colonel Hitchcock says:
"I desire to bear testimony to the esprit du corps, and general efficiency of the organization as a regiment, to the competency and general good character of its officers, to the soldierly bearing, fidelity to duty, and patriotism of its men. Having seen active service in the Army of the Potomac, prior to my connection with the Twenty-fifth, I can speak with some degree of assurance. After a proper time had been devoted to its drill, I never for a moment doubted what would be its conduct under fire. It would have done its full duty beyond question. An opportunity to prove this the Government never afforded, and the men always felt this a grievance."
Source:Â Â Bates, Samuel P. History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865 , Harrisburg, 1868-1871.
Abraham Williams
Sergeant
June 13, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Addison, Mark
Private
June 13, 1864
Accidentally killed, October 7, 1864
Akins, Charles
Private
June 9, 1864
Dishonorably discharged, August 30, 1865
Anderson, George
Private
June 13, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Archey, Zachariah
Private
September 6, 1864
Absent, sick, at muster out
Barber, Garland
Private
June 8, 1864
Died at Camp Casey, Va., September 16, 1864
Barnum, Walker
Private
June 10, 1864
Died at Brazos de Santiago, Texas, July 21, 1865
Bass, Zebedee
Private
September 6, 1864
Discharged, expiration of term
Baswith, Allen
Private
June 8, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Bennett, Erasmus
Private
June 8, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Billops, Hiram
Private
June 13, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Blades, Sheldon
Private
June 7, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Boggess, Isaac
Private
June 13, 1864
Discharged by General Order, dated May 3, 1865
Boon, Sqnire
Private
June 13, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Boswell, Squire
Private
June 9, 1864
Died at Camp Casey, Va., August 12, 1864
Brown, Harrison
Private
June 8, 1864
Died at Camnp Casey, Va., January 20, 1865
Brown, Jesse
Private
June 13, 1864
Discharged October 16, 1866, to date November 4, 1865
Brown, Rufus
Private
June 13, 1864
Deserted August 23, 1864
Burks, Charles
Private
June 13, 1864
Died at Camrnr Casey, Va., August 22, 1864
Burks, George W.
Private
June 13, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Burks, James
Private
June 13, 1864
Absent, sick, at muster out
Burton, Handy
Private
June 11, 1864
Absent, sick, at muster out
Butler, Julius
Private
June 13, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Callenler, Geo. W.
Private
June 13, 1864
Died at Camp Casey, Va., August 12, 1864
Camomile, Wm. H.
Private
June 11, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Cheatham, Frank
Private
June, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Claiiy, Andrew L.
Private
September 6, 1864
Discharged on Surgeon's Certiticat, June 23, 1865
Clark, Mitchell
Private
June 13, 1864
Died at New Orleans, La., July 16, 1865
Clay, Henry
Private
June 9, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Clay, Pleasant
Private
June 9, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Clemens, Charles
Private
Sepember. 6, 1864
Discharged by General Order, dated AMay 3, 1865
Cole, John
Private
June 7, 1864
Died at Camp Casey, Va., December 25, 1864
Coleman Jackson
Corporal
June 9, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Croker, Wm. H.
Private
September 6, 1864
Died at Camp Casey, Va., Jan. 2, 1865
Dallas, George M
Private
June 9, 1864
Discharged by General Order, dated May 3, 1865
Daniel Hitchcock
1st Lt.
April 6, 1864
Discharged on Surgeon's Certificate, August 3, 1865
Delige, Aaron
Private
May 31, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Dunott, George
Private
June 13, 1864
Absent, sick, at muster out
Durson, Samuel
Private
March 12, 165
Absent, sick, at muster out
Evans, Edward
Private
June 10, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Farmer, Augustus
Private
June 13, 1864
Absent, sick, at muster out
Floyd Hickman
Musician
June 13, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Galbreth, George
Private
June 13, 1864
Deserted August 10, 1865
Garnett, Simeon
Private
June 10, 1864
Deserted Au.gust 2, 1865
Gilbert, Pleasant
Private
June 13, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Gillbel, Aaron
Private
September 6, 1864
Discharged, expiration of term
Goens, Reuben
Private
September 6, 1864
Discharged, expiration of term
Hadl, George
Private
Transferred to 22d Regiment U. S. Colored Troops, date unkknown
Harris, Philipn
Private
March 12, 165
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Harrison, Levi
Private
June 13, 1864
Deserted Aiugust 10, 1865
Hathaway, Wm. V.
Private
June 10, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Hays, Isham
Private
June 8, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Helenly, Thomas W.
Private
June, 1864
Absent, sick, at muster out
Henry Board
Corporal
June 10, 1864
Discharged by General Order, dated May 3, 1865
Henry, John W.
Private
June 9, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Hickman, Geo. W.
Private
June 13, 1864
Died at Brazos de Santiago, Texas, July 14, 1865
Hopkins, Campbell
Private
June 13, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Isaac Johnson
Corporal
June 7, 1864
Deserted August 29, 1865
Jackson, Andrew
Private
June 8, 1864
Died at Edinburg, Texas, September 10, 1865
Jaimes, John
Private
June 7, 1864
Died at Camp Casey, Va., December 10, 1864
James Chapman
Sergeant
June 8, 1864
Promoted from Corporal, September 2, 1865; mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
John Miller
Corporal
June 7, 1864
Deserted August 29, 1865
Johnson, Henry L.
Private
June 8, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Johnson, Junius
Private
March 12, 1865
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Johnson, Thomas
Private
March 12, 1865
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Johnson, Thomas
Private
June 7, 1864
Deserted August 29, 1865
Johnson, William
Private
June 13, 1864
Discharged by General Order, dated May 3, 1865
Jones, Daniel
Private
June 13, 1864
Discharged by General Order, dated May 3, 1865
Jones, David
Private
June 13, 1864
Discharged by General Order, dated May 3, 1865
Joseph Muncy
1st Sergeant
June 11, 1864
Promtoted to 1st Sergeant, September 2, 1665; mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
King, Alexander
Private
June 9, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Landing, Samuel J.
Private
March 12, 1865
Discharged by General Order, dated May 3, 1865
Lee, Ludwell
Private
June 13, 1864
Musterod out with Company, November 4, 1865
Leigh, Whieden
Private
June 13, 1864
Discharged October 16, 1865, to date November 4, 1865
Lewis Hickman
Corporal
June 13, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Lewis Mitchell
Corporal
June 13, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Mackey, John
Private
June 13, 1864
Deserted July 5, 1864
Mahone, John H.
Private
June 13, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Mitchell, Quincy
Private
June 9, 1864
Died at Richmond, Va., May 26, 1865
Monday, David
Private
Transferred to 2d Regiment U. S. Colored Troops, date unkknown
Monockey, Edward
Private
Transferred to 22nd Regiment U. S. Colored Troops, date unknown
Montrass, Harvey
Private
September 10, 1864
Deserted May 17, 1865
Moore, George
Private
June 10, 1864
Died at Camp Casey, Va., November 15, 1864
Morgan, David
Private
June 9, 1864
Died at Brazes de Santiago, Texas, June 20, 1865
Overton, Thomas
Private
June 8, 1864
Died at Edinburg, Texas, October 9, 1865
Page, Stephen
Private
June 13, 1864
Died at Portsmouth, Va., April. 9, 1865
Perry Clemens
1st Sergeant
September 6, 1864
Discharged, expiration of term
Porter, James
Private
June 7, 1864
Died at Camp Casey, Va., September 15, 1864
Presley Blad
Corporal
June 13, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Ransle, Morton
Private
June 13, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Ray, George I., Jr.
Private
September 22, 1864
Discharged, expiration of term
Richards, Chas. A.
Private
June 9, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Roberts, John E.
Private
August 18, 1864
Not on muster-out roll
Robinson, Wade
Private
June 8, 1864
Discharged bv General Order, dated May 3, 1865
Robinson,Thornton
Private
June 11, 1864
Died at Fortress Monroe, Va., July 20, 1865
Samington, George
Private
May 31, 1864
Discharged on Surgeon's Certificate, December 22, 1864
Scott, John
Private
June 8, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Sebastopol, Leman
Private
June 13, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Shannon, Edward
Private
June 13, 1864
Discharged by General Order, dated May 3, 1865
Slade, Samuel
Private
June 10, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Smith, Charles A.
Private
June 8, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Spears, Charles
Private
March. 12, 1865
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Stephen Clay
Corporal
June 9, 1864
Promoted to Corporal, September 2, 1865; mustered out with Company,November 4, 1865
Stewart, William
Private
June 8, 1864
Deserted August 27, 1864
Sutton, Lewis
Private
March 12, 1865
Died at Camp Casey, Va., March 17, 1865
Taylor, Jeremiah
Private
June 9, 1864
Discharged by General Order, dated May 3, 1865
Taylor, Lewis
Private
June 8, 1864
Deserted August 2, 1865
Taylor, Samuel
Private
June 10, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Taylor, Timothy
Private
June 11, 1864
Absent, sick, at muster out
Taylor, William H.
Private
August 30, 1864
Discharged, expiration of term
Tenner, John
Private
June 13, 1864
Died at Fortress Monroe, Va., May 24, 1865
Thomas J. Edwards
2d Lt.
March 1, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Thomas, Charles
Private
June 13, 1864
Died at Camp Casey, Va., January 18, 1865
Thompson, Dallas
Private
June 13, 1864
Deserted August 23, 1864
Tyler Burks
Musician
June 13, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
W. Von Bechtold
Captain
April 2, 1864
Discharged April 30, 1865
Warner Gilbert
Sergeant
June 8, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Weden, Atwell
Private
June 10, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
William P. Roberts
1st Lt.
April 2, 1864
Promoted from 2d Lt., Company C, August 20, 1865; mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Williams, Abraham
Private
June 9, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Williams, George
Private
June 9, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Williams, Isaac
Private
June 13, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865
Williams, Morgan
Private
June 9, 1864
Absent, sick, at muster out
Young, John H.
Private
June 13, 1864
Mustered out with Company, November 4, 1865