Nearly one out of every two eligible Erie County men swerved their country during the Civil War; over 5,000 enlisted or were drafted into uniform. They came from a growing city, prosperous with new factories, Lake Erie shipping and fishing, and from the farms and small towns in the country.

Three Pennsylvania infantry regiments were recruited primarily in Erie County. In addition, the county provided a 90-day Regiment as well as individual companies for several other infantry and four cavalry regiments. Two artillery batteries were also partially organized here. In addition, about 1,000 men served in the Navy.

The 83rd.
When President Lincoln called for volunteers, the 90-day Erie Regiment responded. It saw no action, mustering out in July 1861. Soon afterward, Col. John McLane re-enlisted most of those men into a new three year regiment designated the 83rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and it was assigned to the principal Union Army in the Eastern theater, the Army of the Potomac. The 83rd went on to become one of the most famous Federal units, suffering the second highest number of battle deaths of all Union regiments. Col. McLane was killed at Gaines Mills, near Richmond and Strong Vincent died defending Little Round Top at Gettysburg. VincentÕs old Brigade, including the 83rd, received the Confederate surrender at Appotomattox in April, 1865.

The 111th.
The 111th PVI, organized in the fall of 1861 by ErieÕs Matthew Schlaudecker, was the second regiment from the counties of Northwestern PA. The 111th fought in both theaters of the War from Antietam to Gettysburg in the East, and in the West from Lookout Mountain to the Confederate surrender at Durham Station. The 111th was the first Regiment to enter Atlanta, raising its colors atop the City Hall. The Regiment was with General Sherman on his march to the sea.

The 145th.
The 145th PVI was the final regiment organized in Erie, during September 1862. Serving with the Army of the Potomac, at its first Battle in Fredericksburg, VA the unit lost more men killed than any other regiment during that disastrous Union defeat. Later service included Chancelorsville, Gettysburg, GrantÕs 1864 Overland Campaign, the Siege of Petersburg, and Appomattox.

Cavalry
Individual companies were organized here in the Fall of 1861 for the 6th US Cavalry and in the Fall of 1862 for the 14th PA and 16th PA Cavalry. Both the 6th US and the 16th PA Cavalry served in the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac. The 6th fought throughout the Peninsula, Maryland (Antietam) and Fredericksburg campaigns of 1862, and both saw hard combat in the major battles of Brandy Station, Gettysburg, Trevilian Station, Five Forks, and Appomattox. The 14th PA Cavalry served throughout the War in the Shenandoah Valley. It fought in many skirmishes and battles including New Market, SheridanÕs Valley Campaign, and Cedar Creek.