27th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 27th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry


caption=Connecticut state flag
dates= October 1862 – July 27, 1863 [http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/regiments.cfm Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System] . National Parks Service. Retrieved on 2008-08-06.]
country= United States
allegiance= Union
branch= Infantry
equipment=
battles=Fredricksburg
Chancellorsville
Gettysburg

The 27th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment recruited in Connecticut for service in the American Civil War.

Organization

The 27th Connecticut was raised in the late summer of 1862 in answer to President Abraham Lincoln's nationwide call for Volunteers.This nine-month enlistment, unlike the usual three-year enlistments, induced many older, married men to answer the call. This is evident by the fact that the average age of the 27th Connecticut was 27 years old, about six years older than the average age of Union soldiers in general.

The 27th Connecticut departed for Washington, D.C. on October 22 and was attached to the Military District of Washington until November 7. It was then attached to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Army Corps, Army of the Potomac and it advanced to Falmouth, Virginia.

War history

The 27th fought in the three biggest battles in the eastern theatre of the war. First at Fredericksburg, Virginia, in December 1862. Their second battle was Chancellorsville, Virginia, on May 1, 2 and 3, 1863. On May 3rd, eight out of 10 companies making up the 27th were captured after fighting a fierce delaying action holding back Rebel forces so the Union army could reorganize itself. Finally, the 27th embarked on their last campaign which culminated with the battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on July 1, 2 and 3, 1863. Here, in the late afternoon of July 2nd, the 27th entered the battle with a total of only 75 men out of the original 829 who had joined just nine months earlier. In the portion of the battle known as "The Wheatfield," 35 men were killed, wounded or captured. On July 18, 1863, what was left of the 27th was released from the Army of the Potomac and sent back to New Haven to be discharged. On the way home to Connecticut, they were reunited with 279 men who were captured at Chancellorsville, and had been paroled by the Rebels.

Losses

In its nine months of service the Regiment lost 533 men who were killed, wounded, captured, and died of disease out of 829 enrolled.

Equipment

Forage Cap,Slouch Cap,Frock Coat,Slouch Coat,Trouses,Socks,Shirts,Brogans,Coat,Blanket,Cartridge Box,Cap Box,Belt,Bayonet,Bayonet Scabbard,Poncho,Canteen,Haversack,Knapsack,CupTent shelter-half,Plate,Fork,Spoon,Knife,Rifle Sling, and Springfield Rifled Musket .58 Caliber, Model 1861

References