1st (Inft,) Penn'a Reserves. "The Boys who fought at home." BY H. N. MINNIGH. Captain and Brev. Major. Introductory Edition "Home Print" Publisher. Duncansville., Pa. Copyright, 1891. BY Henry N. Minnigh. TO WIVES, DAUGHTERS, FATHERS & MOTHERS, WHO GAVE THEIR LOVED ONES TO THE UNION CAUSE, THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, BY THE AUTHOR....

We have sought to gather into this little volume, a few of the incidents that are prominent in the History of Company K, as they have presented themselves to us, after the facts related have passed almost beyond recall. We have been obliged, for the sake of brevity, to omit much that might have been recorded, and to give only that, which we think should be preserved in some way. Our Children, and Children's children, as they scan these pages in the days to come, may proudly boast of ancestors, w

We give only a Transcript of names, as they appear on the Muster Out Roll, referring our readers to the Historical Record, for the date of Muster in and Muster out, and all other interesting data. This Roster includes the names of all the members of the company, that ever appeared on any muster roll....

It is our purpose, to write a brief History of Company K. First (Inft,) Penn'a Reserves. The history of a Company, as duty was performed by such command, in the War of the Rebellion, must needs be the History of the Regiment, Brigade and Division to which such company belonged. It is not a part of our plan, to add laurels to those really won by the company, or to burnish the character of any member thereof, for the record is already made, and this Company needs no boosting into popular favor at

On the 15th day of May, 1861, a Bill was passed by both branches of the Penn'a Legislature, received the Governor's signature, and became a law of the commonwealth, authorizing the organization of a military corps, to be called, the Reserve volunteer corps, to be composed of Thirteen regiments of Infantry, One of Cavalry and One of Artillery, to be mustered into the State service, and to be liable to be mustered into the service of the United States at any time. (See Bill.) In response to orders

An Organization was effected, by the appointment of non-Commissioned officers, on Tuesday June 11th as follows:— W. W. Stewart, 1st Sergeant, and J. J. Duey, Peter H. Henry, and H. N. Minnigh, Sergeants, in the order named; also, the following Corporals:—J. D. Sadler, P. L. Houck, Jacob Resser and D. D. Bailey. The Record will prove whether these were judicious selections or not. "After muster into the State service, our progress in the drill was so marked, that Col. Roberts, on account of the c

C amp Wayne was left behind, on July 21st, when the First regiment with other Reserve troops, were ordered to rendezvous at Harrisburg, on their way to the front. All along the way, from the latter place, the people were in the rage of excitement, owing to the disaster at Bull-run, the previous day, (21st,) and when we reached Baltimore, a delegation of the city authorities and police, waited on Col. Roberts, who was in command of all troops then moving to the front, and urged him not to attempt

With Chapter Fourth, we enter upon the Second division of our projected plan, viz., "The work of the company." October 9th, we crossed the Potomac river, and entered upon the "sacred soil of Virginia," and formed a winter camp at Langley, known as Camp Pierpont. Here we tried to be comfortable, but the severe exposure with constant camp and picket duty, wrought upon the men who never knew else, than to live under the sheltering roofs of comfortable homes, "up in the north-land." November 26. Jes

The 26th of June, found the command on the Picket line, from which we were hurriedly recalled, only to find our camp had disappeared and our private property gone "where the woodbine twineth," but in time to take our place in line with other troops, who were ready to meet the confederates, who were reported as advancing in our immediate front. We were ordered by special detail with our Regiment, to support Cooper's battery. I need not write up this battle in full detail, for those who were there

But the campaign is ended, and on July 3rd, we go into camp at Harrison's landing, six miles down the James river. Here we suffer many hardships on account of inferior rations and unwholesome water, producing malarious and chronic diseases, and this we endured for forty-two days. A regular promotion of company officers took place here, as follows:—W. W. Stewart to be Captain, J. D. Sadler, 1st Lieut. and H. N. Minnigh, 2nd Lieut. Sadler was in command Stewart being absent wounded. August the 15t

The company has now been in active service one year, and the ranks are reduced from 94 to a mere guard of 30 present for duty, not one-third of the number is left, while the Penn'a Reserves, by the fatalities of warfare are reduced from the original 15,000 to barely 4,000 for duty. The command went into camp near Sharpsburg, where 2nd Lieut. Minnigh was promoted to 1st Lieut. and Serg't Kitzmiller to 2nd Lieut. and Capt. Stewart returned to the company from Gen'l Hospital. Breaking camp once mor

Having crossed the Potomac at Edward's ferry, a continuous march on June 28, 29, 30 and July 1, and 2, brought us to Gettysburg our own native town, and Home . Before reaching Gettysburg we heard various rumors of the investment of our home by the enemy. One incident may be related here; When approaching the familliar haunts of former days, and some of the company began to recognize well known faces, though themselves unknown, it was amusing to note the surprise of the citizens, upon hearing the

We followed the enemy closely in his retreat, keeping on his flank, and on July 11th, found him entrenched at Williamsport, Md. on the Potomac River. On the 14th, when an advance was ordered upon these works, they were found abandoned, the enemy having re-crossed the river on the night of the 13th. We followed on in due time, and soon found ourselves once more, back on the old line of the Rappahannock in Virginia, where after a most wearisome campaign, we went into camp. About the middle of Octo

April 29th, we pulled up stakes again, and entered upon our last campaign. We broke camp and marched to Warrenton, a distance of thirty miles, and on the next morning continued on in the direction of Culpepper, and rejoined our old comrades of the main army, in the evening of that day. We all knew that we were on the eve of an important campaign, and one that would in all probability close the war. The soldiers were very enthusiastic, and had the utmost confidence in the two great commanders who

The cavalry struck the rebel column, and skirmished until the advance troops (5th corps) arrived, and took their place. It was with difficulty that our division was brought into line, owing to the shattered condition of our ranks, caused by the double-quick, but a critical moment had arrived, and with a cheer the men dashed forward, re-taking the ground lost by Robinson's division. But in the charge, as usual, we advanced too far, and were in danger of being flanked, so we were ordered back to o

Gen. Lee withdrew his forces to a strong position south of the North Anna river, and Gen'l Grant followed with the Union army in quick pursuit. We reached the river and crossed at Jericho ford on the 23rd, and spent three days in reconnoitering the position of the enemy, and then by a flank movement to the left, compelled Lee to abandon the strong position he had taken. The Union array crossed the Pamunky river on the 28th of May, the Fifth and Ninth corps crossing at Hanover Ferry, thus bringin

Hurrah! For home. This was the glad greeting, on the morning of June 1st, when the order was issued for our return northward. We accordingly bade farewell to the Army of the Potomac, and to the comrades of the company who had veteranized, who were now assigned to the 190th Penn'a Veteran Volunteers, to serve their unexpired term of service. On the 2nd of June, we reached White house landing, and went aboard the transport George Weems at 10 a. m. on the 3rd, and at 12 m. with three hearty cheers,

While it is somewhat of a delicate matter, to write up this Historical Record of individuals, yet we think it should be a part of the purpose intended by this volume. We take up the membership of the company, according to rank: First, the Commissioned Officers, in the order of seniority; Second, the non-Commissioned officers, as found on the rolls at date of muster out; Third, the members of the company in alphabetical order....

Captain Edward McPherson. To Captain McPherson, presumably, belongs the credit of organizing Company K. He served as its commander until August 24th, 1861, when he resigned, to take his seat in the First Session of the Thirty-seventh Congress, which convened at Washington, on the 4th of July 1861. On the adjournment of that body, he reported for duty, as a Volunteer aid on the staff of Gen'l McCall, commanding the Penn'a Reserves, and served as such until November, when the Second session of sai

C ompany K we presume, was not far behind the general run of soldiers, in "stirring up the de'il." Many amusing incidents might be recorded, but we give only a few Reminiscences in these pages, as they readily occur to us. WHO STOLE THE DUMPLINGS? At Fairfax Station, Lieut's Minnigh and Kitzmiller having secured some very fine apples, and a batch of real wheat flour, concluded to have an Apple-dumpling dinner. A Camp-kettle was brought into requisition, the dumplings were made by "Cornelius", wh

It would be in vain for me to attempt a proper Eulogium, of the character of these fallen heroes. They gave up the fair promise of a useful life, gave up chances of fame, aye! gave up life for the Salvation of the common country. In what light can I set the high mark of their patriotism? What words can tell the story of their courage, with what language can I adorn their lofty heroism? How valiently they fought, how serenely and sublimely they died. They fell in the fierce conflict, amid the che