We are
the 149th Pennsylvania Bucktails Volunteer Infantry Regiment, a
reenactment unit representing the original 149th PVI. We are based
primarily out of the mid-state, Eastern half, and Northern Tier of
Pennsylvania, concentrating around the Gettysburg-Harrisburg region, and
we are also very closely affiliated with the Catawissa Guards, aka the
132nd PVI, in the general Catawissa/Bloomsburg region.
We welcome new or experienced recruits from other states as well, as
long as you are dedicated to promoting the correct image and honor of
the Pennsylvania Bucktails, and can
reasonably attend our scheduled events.
We are a proud
member of the First Regiment, Federal Volunteer Brigade.
The 149th was a special Union
infantry regiment formed in August of 1862 from 11 different Counties from Pennsylvania. “Governor
Curtin enthusiastically supported the concept of a Bucktail Brigade of
four regiments and the secretary of war authorized Roy Stone to proceed
with recruiting in early July of 1862.”1 However, due to the exigencies
of war because of the 2nd battle of Bull Run, August 29th, only two
Bucktail Regiments were actually formed, the 149th and the 150th,
sometimes referred to as the Second Bucktails, and on August 30th they received
orders to proceed immediately to Washington, DC. The 149th PA Regiment played a minor role at
the Battle of Chancellorsville but their Baptism of Fire, a major
engagement against the enemy, occurred July 1, 1863 on McPherson’s Ridge
at the start of the 3 day Battle of Gettysburg. The 149th, assigned to
the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, I Corps, Army of the Potomac, took part
in many of the Virginia battles from the Wilderness to Petersburg. In
February of 1865 the Regiment was withdrawn from front line service and
accorded a well deserved rest by being transferred to guard duty at the
Draft Rendezvous in Elmira, New York. In June of 1865 the regiment was
mustered out, took the cars to Harrisburg, and was disbanded, their duty
done.
Here is a
brief history of the regiment. For a detailed history refer to the
regimental history by R.E. Matthews.
The modern 149th reenactment unit
pays tribute to the men and the sacrifices the original 149th made during the American Civil War. We
also honor the memory and integrity of our former 1st Sergeant, Mark A. Herring – aka “Jed X.
Hastings”. I knew Jed for nearly 15 years and we were best Pards in the truest sense. When Mark
passed away September 18, 2009, his dad and family expressly asked me to form a 149th
reenactment unit in memory of Jed. Over the past 10 years Jed and I spoke often of forming the unit
and Jed also took steps to help start up the Catawissa Guards, a local (to him) unit of young
high school students representing the 132 PVI under the command of our good friend Bruce Petro.
Jed and Bruce worked closely to organize and train the unit, and at the time Jed left us, he was
actively working with Bruce to also organize and start a Catawissa Camp of the Sons
of Union
Veterans. Bruce continues on that quest and his success shows in moving forward with their goal. In
remembrance of Jed, members of the Catawissa Guard were also asked, and enthusiastically
agreed, to join the 149th and at select events they will fall in with us and participate as true
Bucktails.
Starting out, our goal is to
represent the 149th Regiment as a whole. As events dictate, we will then represent specific Companies of
the 149th, whenever we do living history encampments, parades, etc, on location in the
Pennsylvania Counties where the original 149th Companies were initially raised:
Company A: Lycoming and Tioga
Company B: Clearfield
Company C: Lebanon
Company D:
Allegheny
Company E: Clearfield
Company F:
Luzerne
Company G: Perry, Potter, Tioga
Company H: Clarion, Mifflin
Company I: Huntingdon
Company K:
Potter
By mid-summer of 1863 Draftee
replacements came from numerous other Pennsylvania counties and the southern tier of New York
state.
We are now recruiting for men and
women of good character to fill our ranks as Privates or/and Period Civilians. We are a family
oriented unit. Unless events dictate otherwise, this means that Families – men, women, children –
can camp together and as much as practical, participate jointly in all events. I welcome and
encourage period-correct Civilian participation in conjunction with our unit.
Women who wish to portray a male
Military impression are subject to what is termed “the Ten Foot Rule”. Unless you
come closer than 10 feet, a woman must fully appear to be a Male with short hair, or long hair
tied up underneath a forage cap, no lipstick, no jewelry, no makeup.
If you are interested in joining
our unit as either a Military or Civilian, or Both, or if you would like to know more about us, please
contact 1st SGT Tom Reilley,
or
Recruiting
Officer CAPT. Bruce Petro.
1 The 149th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Unit in the Civil War, by Richard E. Matthews. © 1994, Richard E. Matthews. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN 0-89950-993-2. Used with permission from the late author