** ** 2nd Pennsylvania Reserves (31st Infantry)
Posted to the Project on 19 Jan 08
The main feature of the monument to the 2nd Pennsylvania Reserves is a large granite Maltese Cross that serves as the monument’s capstone. This monument near the Wheatfield marks the regimental position on July 2.
This regiment was also known as the 31st Pennsylvania Infantry. It came from Philadelphia and Lancaster County.
It’s commander was Lt. Col. George A. Woodward (1835-1916), the city attorney for the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1858 to 1859; he was living in Philadelphia at the beginning of the War. 
2nd Pennsylvania Reserves
5th Corps, 3rd Division, 1st Brigade
Lt. Col. George A. Woodward (1835-1916)
Engaged: 273; 3 killed, 33 wounded, 1 missing
Monument: Ayres Avenue
Monument Specifications: Granite monument with bronze State Seal affixed on front near base; and capped with finial of V Corps Maltese Cross and draped flag. The location of the monument marks the position held by the 2nd Pennsylvania reserve on July 2, 1863, after it counter attacked on advancing Confederate regiment (actually 100 feet rear of monument).
Dedication Date: Sept. 1890.
Main Inscription: 2D PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES/31ST INFANTRY/1ST BRIGADE 3D DIVISION 5TH CORPS/MUSTERED IN MAY 27 1861/MUSTERED OUT JUNE 16 1864/RECRUITED AT PHILADELPHIA (On side:) JULY 2D IN THE EVENING CHARGED FROM/THE HILL IN REAR OF THIS POSITION AND/HELD IT UNTIL THE AFTERNOON OF JULY 3D/WHEN THE BRIGADE ADVANCED THROUGH/THE WOODS TO THE FRONT AND LEFT/DRIVING THE ENEMY AND CAPTURING/MANY PRISONERS
Other Monuments & Markers: None.
Regimental History ~ Dyer’s Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
Organized at Philadelphia. Moved to Easton, Pa., May 29, 1861; thence to Harrisburg, Pa., July 24. Moved to Baltimore, thence to Sandy Hook, near Harper’s Ferry, Va. Ordered to Darnestown, Md., August 28; thence to Tennallytown, Md., September 25 and join McCall. Attached to 1st Brigade, McCall’s Pennsylvania Reserves Division, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1862. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to April, 1862. 1st Brigade, McCall’s Division, Dept. of the Rappahannock, to June, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 5th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to August, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 3rd Corps, Army of Virginia, to September, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to February, 1863. 1st Brigade, Pennsylvania Reserves Division, 22nd Corps, Dept. of Washington, to June, 1863. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 5th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to June, 1864.
SERVICE.–Moved to Langley, Va., October 10, 1861, and duty at Camp Pierpont until March, 1862. Reconnaissance toward Dranesville October 18-21, 1861. Expedition to Grinnell’s Farm December 6. Advance on Manassas, Va., March 10-15. McDowell’s advance on Falmouth April 9-19. Duty at Fredericksburg until June. Moved to White House June 9-11. Seven days before Richmond June 25-July 1. Battles of Mechanicsville June 26. Gaines Mill June 27. Savage Station June 29. Charles City Cross Roads and Glendale June 30. Malvern Hill July 1. At Harrison’s Landing until August 16. Movement to join Pope August 16-26. Batties of Groveton August 29; Bull Run August 30. Maryland Campaign September 6-24. Battles of South Mountain September 14, and Antietam, Md., September 16-17. Duty in Maryland until October 30. Movement to Falmouth, Va., October 30-November 19. Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15. “Mud March” January 20-24, 1863. Ordered to Washington, D.C., and duty in the Defenses there until June 25. Rejoined Army of the Potomac. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Pursuit of Lee July 5-24. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Rappahannock Station November 7. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Rapidan Campaign May, 1864. Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7; Laurel Hill May 8; Spottsylvania May 8-12; Spottsylvania Court House May 12-21. Assault on the Salient May 12. Harris Farm May 19. North Anna River May 23-26. Jericho Ford May 25. On line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Left front June 1. Mustered out June 16, 1864. Regiment lost during service 4 Officers and 73 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 71 Enlisted men by disease. Total 151.