Lanterna Rally

Author: David Craft

Publisher:

Published: 2015-07-11

Total Pages: 308

ISBN-13: 9781331192336

Excerpt from History of the One Hundred Forty-First Regiment: Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1862-1865 The present work owes its existence to the enterprise of the editor of the Bradford Reporter. In the latter part of the year 1883, he wrote to the author in regard to a series of articles to be printed in that paper under the caption of the "Battles of the One Hundred Forty-first Regiment." After conferring with some of the officers of the Regiment, the original plan was enlarged to include a History, instead of a series of sketches. Immediately the work of collecting material commenced, and the publication began in the June following. At that time only newspaper articles were contemplated, but friends suggested that the history of a Regiment that had done such gallant service ought to be in more permanent form, consequently the newspaper columns were changed to book pages, and the present work is the result. While no pains have been spared to secure accuracy of statement, and a reasonable fullness of detail, the manuscript was prepared amid a pressure of other work, it often happening that the last line was printed before another was written. Many infelicities of expression would have been corrected if a revision could have been made. Inexperience in proof reading which was usually done in the editor's office amid the hurry and bustle of getting ready for press, have caused numerous typographical errors to be overlooked. Only enough of general army movements have been given to indicate the work the Regiment was expected to do, and no criticism has been attempted. In addition to the account of its doings as a separate military organization, it was contemplated to give a brief account of each man connected with it. This was soon found to be impracticable, but of the two hundred and fifty members of it who lost their lives in the service, such sketches have been attempted Here the greatest difficulty has been experienced. In some eases the men were entire strangers to their comrades until they enlisted, and but little was positively known of them; in others, friends have removed and after much inquiry no trace of a relative has been found; in some others friends could furnish only approximate data, and in one or two instances near relatives have entirely, neglected to answer the letters written. In these sketches slight errors will undoubtedly be found. The muster rolls have been revised with great care, and an attempt has been made to combine an index with it, which is hoped will be found satisfactory, as well as the tables appended. Only those who have had experience in this work know its difficulties. A few slight errors overlooked while the book was in press have been noted. The preparation of the work has been encouraged and its labor greatly lightened by the cordial interest manifested in it by the members and friends of the Regiment. General Madill, in addition to giving me the use of his diary and private papers, has gone over the manuscript before it was given to the printer. Mrs. Colonel Watkins, Mrs. Major Spalding, and Mrs. Captain Atkinson, kindly allowed me to peruse both letters and diaries written by their honored and distinguished husbands. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.