Six companies were formed and ordered to the join the Army of the James on October 13. They performed guard duty at Deep Bottom for a few days before moving to the front in rear of Fort Burnham. On October 27, the regiment took part in a reconnaissance in force on the right of the Army of the James, in the vicinity of the Darbytown Road, where a sergeant was wounded. The regiment engaged in drill and picket duty as they proceeded south and were joined by the remaining companies. They arrived at the Battle of Hatcher's Run on March 29, joining the Army of the Potomac at the front. On April 2, the regiment engaged in the Siege of Petersburg losing nine men: one killed and eight wounded. Pursuing the Confederate Army, the regiment reached Appomattox Court House, where Captain John W. Falconer was mortally wounded on the skirmish line on the morning of April 9 during the Battle of Appomattox Court House, one of the last battles of the American Civil War. General Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia surrendered that same day. The regiment remained camped at Appomattox for two days before returning to Petersburg.[3][4]
On May 25, the 41st U.S. Colored Infantry embarked for Texas from City Point, Virginia, arriving at the Island of Brazos de Santiago, early in June. The unit was employed in guard and provost duty at Edinburg, Texas near the Mexico–United States border. On September 30, the remaining forces were consolidated into a battalion of four companies. The regiment was mustered out of service November 10, 1865 at Brownsville, Texas after a year of existence and was paid and discharged on December 14, 1865, at Philadelphia.[3][4]
Subsequently, only the muster-out rolls were returned to the Adjutant General's office, and thus only the names of those men and their companies were accounted for.[3]
Casualties
The regiment lost a total of 56 men during service; one officer killed or mortally wounded, 55 officers and enlisted men died of disease.[5] Captain John W. Falconer of Company A was the only field casualty from the USCT during the final battle of Battle of Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.[2]
