Prologue - September 11 1862

PROLOGUE

The red hand of Treason had drawn the veil of disunion closer and tighter around the National strongholds.  The stars and bars the emblems of slavery and oppres­sion, waved in triumph over a large por­tion of our common country, and for the time being, the Northern Copperheads boastingly asserted "that the North can never subjugate the South,” and that “one southerner was a match for five northern mudsils."  The grand Army of the Po­tomac, under its then lionized commander, General George B. McClellan, had been defeated upon the Peninsula, and had lost heavily in numbers in battle and from death caused by the malaria of the swamps.  General Pope had met the ene­my in the valleys of Northern Virginia, and the defeat of his Army at the second Bull Run, was the final result.

The Rebels emboldened by their suc­cesses, which alone in the department of the South-west had met with reverses at Shiloh and Fort Donelson, were determined to invade the Northern States.  At this critical epoch, the Government issued call for Three Hundred Thousand Vol­unteers to aid in crushing Rebellion.

The Governor of Pennsylvania issued his Proclamation, calling for volunteers for nine months, as well as for three years.  At this period, about the 1st of August 1862, Charles S. Davis, Nelson Byers and William H. Schroyer, prompted by patriotic impulses, recruited a company for the nine months service.  This company was not accepted, as by the time it was fully recruited Gov. Curtin had given official notice that no more nine month men would be accepted at this time.  Snyder County had then already forwarded Capt. George W. Ryan’s nine month company, and which was subsequently denominated company ”F,” and attached to the 131st regiment, P. V. I.  Thus the first com­pany raised by the above named gentle­men was never organized.

The War clouds grew thicker and thicker, and the time had arrived when every man in the country was required to throw his influence into the scales against treason and Rebellion.  The hour was without exception the darkest in our Country’s  history.  The draft of 1862 appeared inev­itable, already had the enrolling officers issued their notices, which included all able bodied males between the ages of 18 and 45.  At this time another effort was made to raise another company, this time for three years.  A large and enthusiastic meeting was held at Selinsgrove, in the old “Union” School-house, on the evening of August 25th, 1862, and which was fol­lowed by meetings at Boyer’s Tavern, Port Trevorton, Freeburg, Beavertown, Beard’s Tavern and Kratzersville, which resulted in recruiting 80 men..

On the 11th and 12th of September, ‘62, those who had volunteered to enlist for three years, began to concentrate at Se­linsgrove, with Head-quarters at the Keystone Hotel, and by the afternoon of the 12th, all were present or accounted for.

At one o’clock, p. m. on Friday, Sept. 12th, the boys were ordered to “fall in” for the first time, and with raised hands took an oath administered by John Em­mit, Esq., to the effect that “we would obey and respect the officers about to be elected by a majority of our Votes.” This being accomplished, the roll was called and the voting done, resulting in the elec­tion of Charles S. Davis, Captain, Nelson Byers and William H. Schroyer, 1st an 2d Lieutenants respectively. Byers was Davis' competitor, and Isaac Smith contest­ed the honor for 2d Lieutenant with Wm. H. Schroyer.  The result of the election gave general satisfaction and we all de­termined to "stand unto the last,” by the officers of our choice.