History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, by Samuel P. Bates.

FIFTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
THE Fifty-seventh Regiment was principally recruited in the counties of
Mercer. Crawford, and Venango; though a considerable number were
from the counties of Tioga, Bradford, Susquehanna, and Wyoming. Company
K, Captain Cornelius S. Chase, was originally recruited as an independent
company of sharp-shooters; but failing of acceptance in that capacity, it became
a part of this regiment. Recruiting commenced early in September, 1861, the
men rendezvousing in squads and companies at Camp Curtin, where a regimental organization was effected by the choice of the following officers: William
Maxwell, of Mercer county, Colonel; Elhannan W. Woods, of Mercer county,
Lieutenant Colonel; Jeremiah Culp, of Bradford county, Major.
On the 14th of December the regiment moved to Washington, and encamped
on the Bladensburg Pike, near the toll gate. Considerable sickness had prevailed before leaving Camp Curtin, and the exposure of the men on the journey,
confined in box cars without fire, contributed to increase it. The new camp,
unfavorably located on low wet ground, and the inclemency of the weather
while there, caused a still further increase of the sick list, and several died.
In February, 1862, the regiment was ordered into line with the Army of the
Potomac, and crossing the river went into camp at Fort Lyon below Alexandria. It was here assigned to Jameson's Brigade* of Heintzelman's Division.
On the 1st of March Colonel Maxwell resigned, and was succeeded in command
by Charles T. Campbell. On the 17th of March the regiment embarked with
the division for Fortress Monroe, and upon its arrival encamped near the little
village of Hampton. Upon the formation of Army Corps, General Heintzelman was promoted to the command of the Third, and was succeeded by General
Hamilton, who, shortly afterwards, was superseded by General Philip Kearny.
Drill was here earnestly prosecuted. On the 4th of April the army moved to
Yorktown, where the enemy was intrenched to dispute its progress. After
remaining a few days within range of the enemy's guns, the brigade was moved
back to a wood, or rather swamp, in the rear, and the men were kept at hard
labor in the trenches for a month. " EHere,' says Surgeon Lyman, "for three
weeks, the men walked in mud, slept in mud, and drank water from holes
scooped out of the mud. The combined remonstrances of the medical officers
of the brigade,'that a month's continuance in that place would deprive the
government of the services of one-half of its numbers,' were met by the silenc* Organization of the First Brigade, Brigadier Genera] Jameson, First Division, Brigadier
General Philip Kearny, Third Corps, Major General Samuel P. Heintzelman. Fifty-seventh
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Charles T. Campbell; Sixty-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Alexander Hays; Eighty-seventh Regiment New York Volunteers, Colonel Stephen A. Dodge; One Hundred and Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers,
Colonel Amor A. MI'night.