| 69th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment | |
|---|---|
 The 69th Pennsylvania monument at Gettysburg looking west. Pickett's Charge started at the trees in the distance and advanced directly toward the camera. | |
| Active | August 19, 1861 - July 1, 1865 |
| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | Union |
| Branch | Union Army |
| Type | Volunteer Infantry Regiment |
| Part of | 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, II Corps, Army of the Potomac |
| Nickname(s) | The Rock of Erin (Earned at Gettysburg Baker Zouaves (Companies I and K) Paddy Owen's Regulars The Irish Volunteers |
| Colors | United States National and Irish Green |
| Engagements | Battle of Ball's Bluff Peninsula Campaign Second Battle of Bull Run Battle of Chantilly Battle of Antietam Battle of Fredericksburg Battle of Chancellorsville Battle of Gettysburg Battle of the Wilderness Battle of Spotsylvania Battle of Cold Harbor Siege of Petersburg Appomattox Campaign |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel of the Regiment | Joshua T. Owen Dennis O'Kane |
| Notable commanders | Joshua T. Owen Dennis O'Kane |
The 69th Pennsylvania Infantry (originally raised as the 2nd California) was an infantry regiment in the Union army during the American Civil War.
Part of the famed Philadelphia Brigade, this all-volunteer regiment played a key role defending against Pickett's Charge during the Battle of Gettysburg.[1][2][3] According to the Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee, "The 69th regiment was the only regiment to maintain its position throughout the repulse of Pickett's Charge, though every field officer was shot down."[4]
This regiment was nicknamed "Paddy Owen's Regulars" in recognition of the regiment's first commanding officer and of the regiment's large contingent of men of Irish heritage.[5]
- ^ "69th Regiment of Infantry, Pennsylvania Volunteers (2nd California Regiment)," in "California and the Civil War." Sacramento, California: California State Military Museums, retrieved online November 26, 2022.
- ^ McDermott, Anthony W. and John E. Reilly. A brief history of the 69th Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers: from its formation until final muster out of the United States service. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: D.J. Gallagher & Co., 1889.
- ^ Kennedy, Joseph S. "Phila. Irishmen turned back Pickett's charge." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 16, 2003, p. L06 (subscription required).
- ^ First and Second State Colors, 69th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in "Pennsylvania Civil War Battle Flags." Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee, retrieved online December 20, 2022.
- ^ "The Famous Philadelphia Brigade." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 15, 1896, p. 28 (subscription required).