Captain Charles E. Etting, U.S.V.

Captain Charles E. Etting, second son of Edward J. Etting, of Philadelphia, and Philippa Minis, of Savannah, was born in Philadelphia, February, 1844. He was mustered into the service of the United States as second lieutenant, Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, August 4, 1862, assigned to the First Brigade, Third Division, First Corps, Army of the Potomac, joining it near Sharpsburg after the battle of Antietam, and served continuously therewith, participating in all its movements and varied duties until placed on detached service.

December 13, 1862, at the battle of Fredericksburg, after supporting Battery C, Fifth U. S. Artillery, Lieutenant Etting's regiment advanced with the division under General George G. Meade under heavy fire, driving the enemy from its position; thence up the heights in front, and held the ground until flanked and forced back by overwhelming numbers, earning from General Meade upon the field the exclamation, "Well done, One Hundred and Twenty-first; good enough for one day!"

May 2, 1862, at the battle of Chancellorsville, marched from the west bank of the Rappahannock River under fire, crossing at United States Ford, reaching the front at 1 o'clock A.M., May 3 and there remained until withdrawn, May 6. Whilst on the march into Pennsylvania, Lieutenant Etting was detailed acting aide-de-camp First Brigade, and did duty as such at the battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863. Incident to the frightful loss of July 1, his regiment having over seventy per cent. killed, wounded, or missing, and only one field and one line officer unhurt, Lieutenant Etting, at Colonel Biddle's request, resumed command of his company July 4, and so remained until, upon-reporting at Philadelphia August 29, in compliance with War Department circular, Adjutant-General's Office, he was assigned to staff duty by Brigadier-General John P. Hatch, and relieved there from April 8, 1864, at the request of Captain James Biddle, Sixteenth U. S. Infantry, commanding Camp Cadwalader, with orders to report to him. He was promoted to captain, Company D, from March 15, 1863, detailed August 28, 1864, to perfect the organization of the new Pennsylvania regiments then forming at Philadelphia, and September 17, 1864, as acting Assistant Adjutant-general of Camp Cadwalader. Captain Etting's application of December 13, 1864, to be relieved having been returned disapproved, he remained on duty until discharged June 2, 1865, by reason of the termination of the war.

Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Biddle wrote under same date, similarly addressed:

" I have the honor to recommend Captain Charles E. Etting for an appointment in the army of the United States. Captain Etting entered the service in the One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, in 1862, and served as second lieutenant, first lieutenant, and captain, acting also as regimental adjutant, and on the staff of the brigade commander. He has since filled an office of responsibility in this city. During a long period of this service it is within my personal knowledge that Captain Etting, as well in the camp as in the field, conducted himself not only with much merit, but with distinction in every position he was required to fill. His services at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg were noted by his commander, and it is my duty as well as a pleasure to add my testimony of his attainments and capability to perform the duties of any office he may ask." Upon the termination of the war Captain Etting engaged in business in, and still resides in, his native city, where he is a wellknown citizen and member of the Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the Revolution, Society of the First Army Corps, Society of the Army of the Potomac, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, and Post 1, Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Pennsylvania."

Source: Officers of the Volunteer Army and Navy who served in the Civil War, published by L.R. Hamersly & Co., 1893, 419 pgs.

Related Links:

• Civil War Records
• Civil War Microfilm at the National Archives
• Etting Surname