Unit History
Among the first to answer President Lincoln's call for volunteers in 1861, Company H was organized in Mechanicsburg, PA in April. Coming from the scenic Cumberland Valley, the men chose "The Cumberland Guard" as the name of their volunteer company. They joined the newly organized 7th Pennsylvania Reserve Corps Infantry Regiment on June 27, 1861. After training at Camp Curtin and Camp Wayne, the men of Company H joined the 2nd brigade of the Pennsylvania Reserve Division, Brigadier General George G. Meade commanding.
The men of Company H served with the Army of the Potomac throughout the first 3 years of the war and were present on the field of battle at Mechanicsville, Gaines Mills, Charles City Crossroads, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, among other battles.
Their finest day was December 13,1862 at the battle of Fredericksburg, where with the Pennsylvania Reserve Division, they pierced the line of A.P. Hill's division, Stonewall Jackson's corps, shattering three brigades. Private Jacob Cart, Company A 7th Pa Reserves, was later awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for the capture of the flag of the 19th Georgia Infantry.
The unit’s service came to an end on May 5, 1864 at the battle of the Wilderness. After fighting gallantly, they were cut off from the rest of the army, surrounded and forced to surrender so as to avoid complete annihilation. Only Company B managed to make its way back to friendly territory, fighting on until June, 1864 when the survivors of the regiment (about 60 men out of an original 1000) were mustered out of the Federal Army in Philadelphia.
The history of the unit ends with the fight against starvation and death in the Rebel prison pens at Andersonville and Millen, Georgia, and Florence, South Carolina.
Recruits
Hurst, Brandon T. Mustered in as a Private in July 17, 1861. Promoted to Corporal December 1, 1862. Promoted to 1st Sergeant April 1, 1863. Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant June 12, 1863. Captured at the Wilderness May 5, 1864. Imprisoned at Macon, GA, until March 1, 1865. Breveted 1st Lieutenant and Captain March 13, 1865. Discharged March 12, 1865.
McLane, John W. Mustered in as a Private July 18, 1861. Promoted to Corporal October 1, 1861. Promoted to 1st Sergeant July 31, 1863. Captured at the Wilderness May 5, 1864. Prisoner until December 6, 1864. Discharged June 26, 1865. Was reported to be a Veteran Volunteer.
Leib, Henry Mustered in as a Private October 2, 1861. Promoted to Corporal September 2, 1862. Wounded in action (Fredericksburg). Discharged on a Surgeon's Certificate April 20, 1863.
Williams, Jacob C. Mustered in as a Private October 2, 1861. Promoted to Corporal July 27, 1862. Avoided capture at Wilderness. Reported as Missing In Action at Bethesda Church May 30, 1864. Was reported to be a Veteran Volunteer.
Swisher, E. Haze Mustered into service September 30, 1861, and promoted to Corporal. Captured at the Wilderness May 5, 1864. Prisoner at Andersonville until discharged May 29, 1865. Was reported to be a Veteran Volunteer.
Hoover, Daniel M. Mustered into service July 15, 1861, and promoted to Corporal sometime afterward. Killed at Gaines Mill June 27, 1862.
Blosser, Jonas Mustered in as a Private July 17, 1861. Captured at the Wilderness May 5, 1864. Died at Andersonville September 11, 1864; Grave #8,413.
Bolinger, Abraham Mustered in as a Private February 11, 1864. Reported as Missing In Action at the Wilderness May 5, 1864.
Bowen, Levi A. Mustered in as a Private December 17, 1861. Reported as Missing In Action at the Wilderness May 5, 1864.
Bryan, Gardner Mustered in as a Private July 17, 1861. Captured at the Wilderness May 5, 1864. Prisoner at Andersonville. Discharged February 15, 1865.
H Buck, Adam Mustered in as a Private July 18, 1861. Wounded in action (Fredericksburg) and discharged on a Surgeon's Certificate February 28, 1863.
Chapman, J.J. Mustered in as a Private February 13, 1864. Captured at the Wilderness May 5, 1864. Died at Andersonville, GA, June 30, 1864; Grave #2,713.
Clark J. Richey Mustered in as a Private July 17, 1861. Died at Camp Pierport, VA, December 17, 1861.
Comfort, George A. Mustered in as a Private August 5, 1862. Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, January 15, 1863.
Conrad, David W. Mustered in as a Private March 25, 1864. Reported as Missing In Action at the Wilderness May 5, 1864.
Coover, Samuel D. Mustered in as a Private August 25, 1862. Discharged on a Surgeon's Certificate January 15, 1864.
Crone, William Mustered in as a Private July 18, 1861. Wounded at Fredericksburg December 13, 1862. Absent, in hospital and mustered out.
Crumlich, Frederick Date of muster unknown, Private. Reported Missing In Action at the Wilderness May 5, 1864.
Durnbaugh, Jno B. Mustered in as a Private July 17, 1861. Avoided capture at Wilderness. Transferred to Company I, 190th PA Volunteers. May 31, 1864. Mustered out with that Company June 28, 1865.
Fagan, John Mustered in as a Private August 25, 1862. Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, December 1, 1863.
Good, Samuel L. Mustered in as a Private July 17, 1861. Deserted October 7, 1862.
Heigers, George M. Mustered in as a Private April 4, 1864. Reported Missing In Action at the Wilderness May 5, 1864.
Hester, Joseph Mustered in as a Private August 5, 1862. Captured at the Wilderness May 5, 1864. Prisoner at Andersonville and died there July 18, 1864. Buried in Grave #3,563.
Hoover, Daniel C. Mustered in as a Private April 10, 1864. Captured at the Wilderness May 5, 1864. Prisoner at Andersonville and died there September 8, 1864. Buried in Grave #7,682.
Hunter, Leonidas Mustered in as a Private August 5, 1862. Discharged on Surgeon's Certificate January 31, 1863. Possibly as a result from wounds received at Fredericksburg.
Kauffman, A.E. Mustered in as a Private December 17, 1861. Reported as Missing In Action at the Wilderness May 5, 1864. Was reported to be a Veteran Volunteer.
Kauffman, George Mustered in as a Private December 17, 1861. Reported as Missing In Action at the Wilderness May 5, 1864. Was reported to be a Veteran Volunteer.
Kiscadden, Luther Mustered in as a Private July 18, 1861. Transferred to the Regular Army December 5, 1862.
Kline, William W. Mustered in as a Private March 7, 1864. Name not on muster out roll.
Komes, Samuel Mustered in as a Private March 31, 1864. Captured at the Wilderness May 5, 1864. Died at Andersonville Prison September 21, 1864.
Kreiger, Ross H. Mustered in as a Private February 15, 1864. Reported as Missing In Action at the Wilderness May 5, 1864.
Martin, Jackson Mustered in as a Private February 15, 1864. Reported as Missing In Action at the Wilderness May 5, 1864. Prisoner at Andersonville. Contacted for the dedication of The Pennsylvania Monument at Andersonville in 1905. Resided in Monagham, York County, after the war.
McCormick, Simon C. Mustered in as a Private July 10, 1861. Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, May 7, 1863.
Owen, Eastman Mustered in as a Private April 12, 1864. Name not on muster out roll.
Palmer, George W. Mustered in as a Private October 2, 1861. Captured at the Wilderness May 5, 1864. Prisoner at Andersonville until February 26, 1865. Discharged April 8, 1865.
Plank, David A. Mustered in as a Private July 18, 1861. Discharged September 21, 1861, for wounds received accidentally.
Pretz, Harry Mustered in as a Private March 7, 1864. Avoided captured at Wilderness. Transferred to Company I, 190th PA Volunteers May 31, 1864. Mustered out with that Company June 28, 1865.
Robinson, George Mustered in as a Private February 11, 1864. Reported as Missing In Action at Wilderness May 5, 1864.
Shafer, Henry Mustered in as a Private October 2, 1861. Reported as Missing In Action at Wilderness May 5, 1864.
Shattner, William H. Mustered in as a Private July 17, 1861. Discharged on a Surgeon's Certificate December 23, 1863.
Smith, David Mustered in as a Private July 17, 1861. Reported as Missing In Action at Wilderness May 5, 1864. Prisoner at Andersonville, GA. Contacted to attend the dedication of The Pennsylvania Monument at Andersonville in 1905. Resided in Hogestown, Cumberland County, after the war.
Smith, George W. Mustered in as a Private July 17, 1861. Killed accidentally July 20, 1861.
Steigleman, Isiah Mustered in as a Private March 31, 1864. Reported as Missing In Action at Wilderness May 5, 1864. Prisoner at Andersonville. Contacted to attend the dedication of The Pennsylvania Monument at Andersonville in 1905. Resided in Shiremanstown after the war. Buried at Peace Church Cemetery (date of death illegible).
Ward, Jacob Mustered in as a Private February 13, 1864. Reported as Missing In Action at Wilderness May 5, 1864.
Wetherald, H.N. Mustered in as a Private July 18, 1861. Captured at Wilderness May 5, 1864. Prisoner at Andersonville, GA, and died there November 22, 1864. Buried in Grave #12,123
Discharged from Andersonville Prison in 1865
Sgt Bates Alexander - Co C
2527 N 9th St, Philadelphia, PA
Cpl William Anthony - Co I
Myerstown, Lebanon County
Pvt William Bell - Co G
107 Wayne St, Erie PA
SGM Joseph Clark
306 Broad St, Harrisburg , PA
Cpl Cornelius Carman - Co C
341 N 11th St, Lebanon, PA
Pvt William J. Crouse - Co G
2837 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA
Pvt Jacob Clauser - Co C
RFD 3, Annvile, PA
Sgt John I. Faller - Co A
145 S Pitt St, Carlilse, PA
Cpl George Garmen - Co K
522 Stiles St, Philadelphia, PA
Pvt John A. Hunter - Co K
Rising Sun, Cecil County, MD
Pvt S.L. Hogenbaugh - Co F
Franklin St, Wilkes Barre, PA
Pvt Newell S. Harrison - Co F
Heart Lake, Susquehanna County, PA
Cpl John R. Koons (served as Henry Knickerbocker) - Co F
Huntington Mills, Luzerne County, PA
Pvt William H. Myers - Co G
E 18th St, Erie PA
Cpl George W. Martin - Co I
Christiana, Lancaster County, PA
Pvt Jackson Martin - Co H
Monaghan, York County, PA
Pvt Joseph Peffley - Co C
Lebanon, Lebanon County, PA
Pvt David Smith - Co H
Hogestown, Cumberland County, PA
Pvt Joseph Shaffer - Co D
Main St, Reynoldsville, PA
Pvt Addison Shafer - Co H
208 S Pine St, York, PA
Pvt David K. Shriver - Co I
Green St, Westminster, MD
Pvt Isiah Steigleman - Co H
Shiremanstown, Cumberland County, PA
Pvt George W. Steward - Co E
1424 Brown St, Philadelphia, PA
Pvt John K. Torbert - Co F
Franklin St, Wilkes Barre, PA
Pvt Samuel B. Trofford - Co C
Locust St, Lebanon, PA