Allen Infantry ("Allen Guards")

[Robert Gray]

On April 15th, 1861, President Lincoln issued his proclamation calling out the Militia of the several states, to quell the Rebellion. Pennsylvania was called upon to furnish sixteen regiments, two of which were wanted within three days to defend the National Capital which was unprotected. One of the first companies to respond to the call of the President were the Allen Guards, organized in 1859 and commanded by Captain Thomas Yeager of Allentown. They offered their services to the Governor April 17th and were mustered in the following day. The regiment remained in the defenses of Washington for the entirety of their three-month term of service before being mustered out on July 23, 1861. Returning to Allentown, the soldiers of the Allen Infantry were quick to reenlist in other organizations, especially the 47th, 53rd, and 128th Pennsylvania Volunteers.

The 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry

Photo courtesy of the New York Public Library,
Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views.

 

[gary]

48th Pennsylvania dug the mine shaft at Petersburg. We know it better as The Crater.

 

[Trooper "D"]

On April 15th, 1861, President Lincoln issued his proclamation calling out the Militia of the several states, to quell the Rebellion. Pennsylvania was called upon to furnish sixteen regiments, two of which were wanted within three days to defend the National Capital which was unprotected. One of the first companies to respond to the call of the President were the Allen Guards, organized in 1859 and commanded by Captain Thomas Yeager of Allentown. They offered their services to the Governor April 17th and were mustered in the following day. The regiment remained in the defenses of Washington for the entirety of their three-month term of service before being mustered out on July 23, 1861. Returning to Allentown, the soldiers of the Allen Infantry were quick to reenlist in other organizations, especially the 47th, 53rd, and 128th Pennsylvania Volunteers.

The 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry

Photo courtesy of the New York Public Library,
Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views.

View attachment 577457

Cool tailcoat uniform. Is that a hammer claw style?

 

[Robert Gray]

On April 15th, 1861, President Lincoln issued his proclamation calling out the Militia of the several states, to quell the Rebellion. Pennsylvania was called upon to furnish sixteen regiments, two of which were wanted within three days to defend the National Capital which was unprotected. One of the first companies to respond to the call of the President were the Allen Guards, organized in 1859 and commanded by Captain Thomas Yeager of Allentown. They offered their services to the Governor April 17th and were mustered in the following day. The regiment remained in the defenses of Washington for the entirety of their three-month term of service before being mustered out on July 23, 1861. Returning to Allentown, the soldiers of the Allen Infantry were quick to reenlist in other organizations, especially the 47th, 53rd, and 128th Pennsylvania Volunteers.

The 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry

Photo courtesy of the New York Public Library,
Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views.

View attachment 577457

The above image has been mislabeled and should be credited to the Jeffrey Kraus Collection.

 

[chubachus]

Yeah, NYPL's copy has some condition issues: https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/dba21200-c573-012f-04f7-58d385a7bc34?canvasIndex=0