Dedicated to the memory of Carol Ide (1958-2012) |
Origins
The 91st was formed from volunteers in Philadelphia, and most of its men were born in Pennsylvania.
Endings Almost 10% of the regiment died in service. 654 men mustered out with the regiment at the end; 128 of them were original members.
Washington The 91st guarded several famous Confederate female spies, and also shot a prisoner who was a boyhood friend of John Wilkes Booth.
Life Most of the regiment's time was taken up, not with battles, but with training and other duties.
Researchers
Edgar Gregory Colonel (Brevet Major General) Gregory was the only Assistant Commissioner of the post-war Freedman's Bureau who could be called an abolitionist.
Endings Almost 10% of the regiment died in service. 654 men mustered out with the regiment at the end; 128 of them were original members.
Washington The 91st guarded several famous Confederate female spies, and also shot a prisoner who was a boyhood friend of John Wilkes Booth.
Life Most of the regiment's time was taken up, not with battles, but with training and other duties.
Researchers
Edgar Gregory Colonel (Brevet Major General) Gregory was the only Assistant Commissioner of the post-war Freedman's Bureau who could be called an abolitionist.
What's new
Fact of the week [updated Sundays]
#452 Jesse Wharton was the prisoner killed by the 91st in Old Capitol Prison. I think understanding him as part of the South's "culture of honor" (accessed 18 May 2013) helps make sense of his actions. Start with the one incident I've found reported while he was at St Timothy's Academy. All the students were punished after a few killed some chickens, allowed them to spoil, and paraded them around the school. The students rebelled at the injustice, camping in a nearby wood, having taken guns from the school armory. Wharton's father (among others) spoke with the boys, and Jessie Wharton replied to him. Unfortunately, I don't know anything further about the incident, but it seems to fit with a culture where violent response to perceived violations of rights was the norm. (More over the next several weeks.)
Battles and casualties Because of poor generalship, the 91st had no spectacular successes on the battlefield. But they paid a heavy price: 114 of them were killed or mortally wounded in battle.
After the war Many men received pensions, and joined veterans' associations. The last death I known of occurred in 1940.
Fact of the week [updated Sundays]
#452 Jesse Wharton was the prisoner killed by the 91st in Old Capitol Prison. I think understanding him as part of the South's "culture of honor" (accessed 18 May 2013) helps make sense of his actions. Start with the one incident I've found reported while he was at St Timothy's Academy. All the students were punished after a few killed some chickens, allowed them to spoil, and paraded them around the school. The students rebelled at the injustice, camping in a nearby wood, having taken guns from the school armory. Wharton's father (among others) spoke with the boys, and Jessie Wharton replied to him. Unfortunately, I don't know anything further about the incident, but it seems to fit with a culture where violent response to perceived violations of rights was the norm. (More over the next several weeks.)
Battles and casualties Because of poor generalship, the 91st had no spectacular successes on the battlefield. But they paid a heavy price: 114 of them were killed or mortally wounded in battle.
After the war Many men received pensions, and joined veterans' associations. The last death I known of occurred in 1940.
Harry Ide is developing this web page. E-mail me at hide1@unl.edu with corrections, suggestions, or information!
Also contact Cyrus at SgtPen91st@aol.com, who is writing a book about the 91st PA.