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Chapter 23 – Company A, 103rd Regiment PV

Byadmin

Apr 11, 2011

CHAPTER XXIII

COMPANY A, ONE HUNDRED AND THIRD REGIMENT, P.V.

Enlistment – Route to the Field – Services – Roll

IN August, 1861, Captain R. Laughlin, assisted by A.H. Alexander, W.C. Mobley, and James R. Haun, recruited a company of volunteers at Callensburg, Clarion county, Pa. It went into camp at Camp Orr, Kittanning, Pa., with fifteen men, who were left there, and the recruiting continued till the number reached about one hundred and fifty men, which was reduced by assignment to other companies, so that at the time of muster into the United States service, September 7, 1861, it numbered one hundred and eleven men. It was mustered in by Captain Henry B. Hays, of the United States Army, and designated Company A, of the One Hundred and Third Regiment, P.V. The company then elected R. Laughlin, captain; A.H. Alexander, first lieutenant; George P. Schott, second lieutenant. The enrollment papers had, however, previously designated R. Laughlin, captain.

In February, 1862, the company, with the regiment, left Camp Orr, and proceeded by rail to Harrisburg, where the regiment received clothing, and went at once to Washington, under command of Colonel T.F. Lehman. It went into camp north of the Capitol, but soon left there and moved to Meridian Hill, where it arrived about the first of April, 1862. At this place the One Hundred and Third was placed in General Keim’s Provisional Brigade of Casey’s Division of Keyes’s Corps, and ordered to the Peninsula. The troops went to Fortress Monroe, and into camp near Hampton. After staying in camp a short time the corps moved forward, and the company of which this sketch is written, participated in the siege of Yorktown. When the enemy evacuated Yorktown the One Hundred and Third led Keim’s Brigade in its approach to the battle-field at Williamsburg. In the battle of Williamsburg Company A sustained no serious loss. It next took part in the terrible battle of Fair Oaks or Seven Pines. Before entering upon this campaign, however, the number of the company had been somewhat reduced. It was over-full at time of muster, and some of the men were transferred to other organizations, as noted in roll.

In the battle of Fair Oaks the company had two men killed, nine wounded and one prisoner. In this battle Captain R. Laughlin was officer of the day for the regiment. Major Gazzam was in command of the regiment. Lack of space compels us to omit Captain Laughlin’s well-written description of the battle.

After the battle of Fair Oaks the company, with the brigade, was posted at White Oak Swamp, where the men built fortifications. Exposed to the heat and to the malaria of the swamp, many were taken sick, and at times it was difficult to get enough well men to relieve the pickets. On the 28th of June the troops began their march, and what was fit for duty of the company arrived at Malvern Hill July 1, 1862, and took part in that battle, supporting a battery on the left. The brigade, now commanded by General Wessels, covered the retreat of the army to Harrison’s Landing on the James. On the march the enemy made frequent attacks, but were repelled by Wessels. At Harrison’s Landing the company went into camp, but soon went down the Peninsula to Fortress Monroe. It was ordered to Antietam, and embarked on transports for that point, when it was ordered to Norfolk, thence to Suffolk. The company remained at Suffolk till December 5, 1862, when it marched to the Chowan River, and proceeded by transports to Newbern, N.C., where the troops made a raid into the interior as far as Goldsboro, N.C. On this raid they had three hard fights, one at Kingston, N.C., one at White Hall, and one at Goldsboro. The battle of Kingston was fought on the 14th of December, 1862.

In this struggle Captain Laughlin distinguished himself by his bravery. He commanded the left wing of the regiment, and led it with other troops across a swamp to the attack of the enemy after the swamp had been declared impassable. Laughlin plunged into the water to the waist and was followed close by his fearless men. It was a brilliant dash, and his followers attested their approval by patriotic cheers. Here Laughlin earned a promotion, but never received one. The credit was given to Colonel Hunt, who supported Colonel Maxwell, who commanded the right of the One Hundred and Third. Colonel Howell, with the Eighty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, supported Laughlin, and justice to a brave man would have given him a new title; but while the soldiers all knew to whom the credit was due, the service was never recognized.

The company fought at White Hall December 16, and at Goldsboro the 17th. After the battle of Goldsboro the troops returned to Newbern, N.C.

Captain Laughlin sent in his resignation on the 20th of January, 1863.

The following is a copy:

                                          “HEADQUARTERS ONE HUNDRED AND THIRD P.V.,
                                          NEWBERN, N.C., January 20, 1863.
     “To COLONEL SOUTHARD HUFFMAN, A.A. General Eighteenth Army Corps:
     “Having served as a line officer in the 103d Penna. Vol. for over eighteen months, and having been exposed to all the vicissitudes of the campaign on the peninsula, and being in my fifty-sixth year, my declining health admonishes me that to attempt to do the duties of a line officer any longer would be injustice to myself, as well as injurious to the service to which I have been so long attached; I therefore, for the above and many other reasons, do hereby tender to you my resignation of the office of captain Co. A, 103d Reg’t. Penna.
     Vol. R. LAUGHLIN.”

It was accepted and Captain Laughlin discharged January 24, 1863.

Lieutenant A.H. Alexander was promoted to captain January 25, 1863. The company was sent to Plymouth, N.C., soon after. This was the Union army’s farthest outpost. Company A was assigned to Fort Williams, the main fort in the center of the line of works. It mounted six guns – four thirty-two pounders and two six pounders. While in Fort Williams, Company A and the remainder of the One Hundred and Third re-enlisted as veterans January 1, 1864.

On the afternoon of April 17, 1864, the enemy in force attacked the fort. The garrison fought day and night till about 11 A.M. April 20, when, being overpowered, the troops were compelled to surrender, having used all their ammunition. The rebels numbered 15,000. The garrison had 1,922 men fit for duty. One hundred officers and 2,198 enlisted men were taken prisoners. Our loss in the conflict was about 200 killed and wounded. The enemy acknowledged a loss of 1,800 men. The roll of the company gives the names of the prisoners.

Fort Williams had been mainly constructed by Company A, and at the time of the capture the fort was occupied by it and a company of the Second Massachusetts.

The prisoners, camped outside the works till noon, April 21, when they took up their line of march for Tarboro, N.C., about sixty miles distant, under guard, where they arrived about noon April 25.

The next day they were shipped in box cars for Andersonville, Ga., where they arrived April 30, 1864. The enlisted men were sent into the stockade; the officers were kept in a church over night, and the next morning sent back to Macon, Ga., where they remained till August 11, when 600 of them, including the officers of Company A, were sent to Charleston, S.C., and put under fire of the Union guns, the rebels thinking that would stop the firing upon the city. On the 5th of October these officers were put aboard cars for Columbia, S.C. When about ten miles from Columbia, Captain Bascom, of the Fifth Iowa, and Lieutenant William H. Keister, of Company I, One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, with Captain Alexander, of Company A, jumped from the cars and attempted to escape, but were recaptured.

The surviving members of Company A were released from Andersonville February 28, 1865, and from Florence, S.C., February 24, 1865, but quite a number were discharged soon after, and never rejoined the company. Fifteen of the prisoners belonging to Company A died in prison or on the way out. The company and regiment were mustered out at Newbern, N.C., June 25, 1865, by the general order disbanding the army. The troops proceeded to Harrisburg, where they were paid off and finally discharged July 12, 1865. The company participated in twenty-four engagements.

Captains Laughlin and Alexander corrected this roll and furnished valuable data, for which they have our thanks.

CORRECTED ROLL OF COMPANY A, ONE HUNDRED AND THIRD REGIMENT.

Reynolds Laughlin, captain, September 7, 1861, three years; resigned January 24, 1863.

A.H. Alexander, captain, September 7, 1861, three years; promoted from first lieutenant January 25, 1863; prisoner from April 20, 1864, to February 21, 1865; mustered out with company June 25, 1865.

John M. Laughlin, first lieutenant, May 1, 1862, three years; promoted to second lieutenant June 12, 1862, to first lieutenant January 25, 1863; prisoner from April 20, 1864, to March 1, 1865; mustered out with company June 25, 1865.

George D. Schott, second lieutenant, September 7, 1861, three years; killed at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862.

Oliver McCall, second lieutenant, September 7, 1861, three years; promoted from first sergeant January 25, 1863; wounded at Kingston December 14, 1862; discharged by special order March 30, 1865.

Samuel F. Shields, first sergeant, September 7, 1861, three years; promoted to sergeant January 1, 1864, to first sergeant May 1, 1865; captured April 20, 1864; mustered out with company June 25, 1865; veteran.

Watson C. Mobley, first sergeant, September 7, 1861, three years; promoted to first sergeant January 1, 1864, to sergeant-major April 19, 1865; veteran.

Washington Gathers, sergeant, September 7, 1861, three years; promoted from corporal January 1, 1864; captured April 20, 1864; absent, sick, at muster out; veteran.

Jos. M. Whitehill, sergeant, September 7, 1861, three years; promoted from private January 1, 1864; prisoner from April 20, 1864, to February 24, 1865; discharged by general order June 17, 1865; veteran.

Albert Meeker, sergeant, September 7, 1861, three years; prisoner from April 20, 1864, to February 25, 1865; discharged by general order April 12, to date March 2, 1865.

David I. Wallace, sergeant, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged on surgeon’s certificate December 5, 1862.

Joseph B. Pollock, sergeant, September 7, 1861, three years; promoted to quartermaster-sergeant January 1, 1864; captured April 20, 1864; veteran.

Joseph Kremp, corporal, September 7, 1861, three years; prisoner from April 20, 1864, to February 25, 1865; wounded April 20, 1864; discharged by general order April 12, to date March 1, 1865.

John F. Rupert, corporal, September 7, 1861, three years; promoted to corporal January 1, 1864; prisoner from April 20, 1864, to February 24, 1865; discharged by general order June 16, 1865; veteran.

Joseph Moyer, corporal, September 7, 1861, three years; promoted to corporal January 1, 1864; captured April 20, 1864; mustered out with company June 25, 165; veteran.

James Cooper, corporal, September 7, 1861, three years; promoted to corporal January 25, 1864; captured April 20, 1864; mustered out with company June 25, 1865; veteran.

C.G.W. Stover, corporal, September 7, 1861, three years; promoted to corporal February 26, 1863; captured. April 20, 1864; absent on furlough at muster out; veteran.

Smith Judson, corporal, September 7, 1861, three years; promoted to corporal January 1, 1864; captured April 20, 1864; mustered out with company June 25, 1865; veteran.

Alvin C. Grandy, corporal, September 7, 1861, three years; killed at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862.

Joseph B. Stewart, corporal, December 25, 1861, three years; promoted to corporal January 1, 1864; captured, died at Andersonville, Ga., June 28, 1864. Grave 2650; veteran.

John B. Wallace, corporal, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged June 20, 1862.

Enoch Luther, corporal, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged April 7, 1863.

Elias Myers, corporal, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged, date unknown, for wounds received at Kingston, N.C., December 14, 1862.

Robert C. McCall, corporal, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged February 26, 1863.

Jacob Weaver, corporal, September 7, 1861, three years; transferred to Company G, January 3, 1862.

Thomas Moore, corporal, September 7, 1861, three years; transferred to Company G, January 3, 1862.

Thomas G. Pollock, corporal, September 7, 1861, three years; died at Yorktown, June 9, 1862; buried in National Cemetery, section C, grave 113.

Alt, Calvin B., private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured April 20, 1864; absent on furlough at muster out, veteran.

Anderson, David, private, September 7, 1861, three years; transferred to Company F, December 7, 1861.

Barnacle, Daniel, private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured April 20, 1864; absent on furlough at muster out, veteran.

Beggs, Reed G., private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured April 20, 1864; mustered out with company June 25, 1865, veteran.

Barr, Jacob, 1st, private, September 7, 1861, three years; died of wounds received at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862.

Barr, Stephen, private, December 25, 1861, three years; died, date unknown.

Bowman, Martin, private, September 7, 1861, three years; died at Suffolk, Va., October 20, 1862.

Bowman, John R., private, September 7, 186r, three years; died at Mill Creek, W. Va., July 27, of wounds received at Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862.

Barr, Jacob, 2d, private, September 7, 1861, three years; deserted February 1, 1862.

Barlett, Lewis, private, September 7, 1861, three years; transferred to Company C, December 7, 1861.

Caldwell, Oliver W., private, December 25, 1861, three years; captured April 20, 1864; mustered out with company June 25, 1865, veteran.

Callen Thomas J., private, March 3, 1864, three years; mustered out with company June 25, 1865.

Campbell, William, September 7, 1861, three years; transferred to One Hundred and Twelfth Regiment P.V., May 1, 1862.

Cunningham W.B., private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured. April 20, 1864; died at Callensburg, Clarion county, Pa., December 28, 1865, veteran.

Carroll, James, private, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged on surgeon’s certificate February 17, 1863.

Cooper, J.F., private, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged, date unknown.

Colwell, William E., private, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged on surgeon’s certificate January 30, 1863.

Dunkle Peter M., private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured April 20, 1864; mustered out with company June 25, 1865, veteran.

Dunkle, Watson, private, September 7, 1861, three years; died, date unknown.

Davis, William G., private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured April 20, 1864; died at Andersonville, Ga., August 20, 1864; grave 6316, veteran.

Dunkle, Mathew H., private, December 17, 1861, three years; discharged, date unknown.

Dunkle, Preston, private, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged September 24, 1862.

Dehart, David, private, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged June 16, 1862.

Dunkle, Thomas, private, September 7, 1861, three years; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, date unknown.

Everett, Philander, September 7, 1861, three years; captured at Plymouth, N.C., April 20, 1864, veteran.

Elder, Reed C., private, February 27, 1864, three years; mustered out with company June 25, 1865.

Echelbarger, George, private, August 18, 1862, three years; captured April 20, 1864, and died at Charleston, S.C., September 27, 1864.

Frampton, David R., private, three years; captured April 20, 1864; absent on furlough at muster out; veteran; wounded day of his capture.

George, Justus, private, September 7, 1861, three years; wounded at Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862; discharged, expiration of term.

George, Thomas M., private, August 18, 1862, three years; captured at Plymouth, N.C., April 20, 1864; died September 13, 1864.

Guiher, Clark, private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured April 20, 1864; mustered out with company June 25, 1865, veteran.

Guiher, John C., private, September 7, 1861, three years; prisoner from April 20, 1864 to February 24, 1865; discharged by general order June 28, 1865, veteran.

Guiher, Andrew, private, September 7, 1861, three years; wounded in the face, and captured at Plymouth, N.C., April 20, 1864; mustered out with company June 25, 1865, veteran.

Guiher, Jacob B., private, February 27, 1864, three years; mustered out with company June 25, 1865.

Gilgher, David P., private, February 29, 1864, three years; mustered out with company June 25, 1865.

Guiher, Isaac, private, September 7, 1861, three years; died, date unknown.

Goe, Reed, private, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged July 14, 1862.

Goe, James, private, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged June 20, 1862.

Goe, Norval D., private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured at Plymouth, N.C., April 20, 1864; promoted to hospital steward May 31, 1865, veteran.

Haun, James R., private, September 7, 1861, three years; prisoner from April 20, 1864 to February 28, 1865; discharged by general order June 30, 1865, veteran.

Hahn, George, private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured April 20, 1864; died at Annapolis, Md., December 26, 1864, veteran.

Hughes, Israel, private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured April 20, 1864; died at Florence, S.C., October 21, 1864, veteran.

Highbarger, Amos, private, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged on surgeon’s certificate February 24, 1862.

Keifer, Andrew S., private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured April 20, 1864; absent on furlough at muster out, veteran.

Kiester, Simeon H., private, September 7, 1861, three years; absent on detached service at expiration of term.

Kiester, John N., private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured April 20, 1864; died at Andersonville, Ga., August 13, 1864; burial record, August 15, 1864; grave 5718, veteran.

Kremp, Edward, private, February 2, 1862, three years; captured April 20, 1864; died at Andersonville, Ga., July 16, 1864; grave 3471, veteran.

Logue, Clarion J., private, March 9, 1864, three years; mustered out with company June 25, 1865.

Logue, Oliver R., private, March 9, 1864, three years; mustered out with company June 25, 1865.

Logue, John H., March 3, 1864, three years; never joined company; died at Philadelphia, Pa., May 9, 1864.

Luther, George W., private, March 3, 1864, three years; died at Koanoke Island, N.C., October 15, 1864; buried in National Cemetery, Newbern; plot 7, grave 85.

Loughner, Edward W., private, September 7, 1861, three years; died December 18 of wounds received at Kingston, N.C., December 14, 1862.

Loughner, John, private, September 7, 1861, three years; died at Annapolis, Md., May 8, 1865, veteran.

Lobaugh, James H., private, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged January 20, 1863.

Laughlin, Thos. J., private, September 7, 1861, three years; transferred to Company G December 7, 1861.

Lecky, Jacob, private, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged on surgeon’s certificate November 16, 1861.

Myers, Adam, private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured April 20, 1864; absent on furlough at muster out.

Miller, William R., private, March 3, 1864, three years; mustered out with company June 25, 1865.

Myers, Conrad R., private, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged on surgeon’s certificate, date unknown.

Miller, George W., private, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged on surgeon’s certificate December 7, 1861.

Myers, John, private, September 7, 1861, three years; transferred to company E December 7, 1861.

Mooney, Samuel A., private, September 7, 1861, three years; transferred to Company F December 7, 1861.

McCall, Sylvester, private, September 7, 1861, three years; wounded at. Fair Oaks May 31, 1862; mustered out with company June 25, 1865, veteran.

McCoy, John L., private, March 8, 1864, three years; died June 8, 1865; buried in National Cemetery, Newbern, N.C.; plot 7, grave 12.

Neely, John M., private, September 7, 1861, three years; prisoner from April 20, 1864, to February 24, 1865; discharged by general order June 1, 1865.

Power, George R., private, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged on surgeon’s certificate, date unknown.

Paup, George W., private, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged October 8, 1862.

Reese, Isaiah, private, March 3, 1864, three years; mustered out with company June 25, 1865.

Richardson, Jas. W., private, September 7, 1861, three years; prisoner from April 20, 1864, to February 28, 1865; discharged by general order June 6, 1865, veteran.

Rosansteel, Sylve’s G., private, September 24, 1861, three years; captured April 20, 1864; died at Florence, S.C., November 1, 1864, veteran.

Reedy, George W., private, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged on surgeon’s certificate November 1, 1861.

Reese, Andrew, private, December 25, 1861, three years; captured at Plymouth, N.C., April 20, 1864; discharged by general order May 27, 1865, veteran.

Rider, John, private, September 7, 1861, three years; deserted November 1, 1861.

Reedy, Samuel, private, September 7, 1861, three years; deserted November 13, 1861.

Russell, Albert M., private, September 7, 1861, three years; transferred to Company G December 7, 1861

Smail, Walter R., private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured April 20, 1864; absent on furlough at muster out, veteran.

Smith, James, private, March 3, 1864, three years; mustered out with company June 25, 1865.

Smith, John M., private, March 3, 1864, three years; mustered out with company June 25, 1865.

Smith, Patrick, private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured at Plymouth, N.C., April 20, 1864; discharged by general order August 3, 1865, veteran.

Stewart, Gazzam, private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured April 20, 1864; mustered out with company June 25, 1865, veteran.

Saxton, Amaziah, private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured April 20, 1864; died at Florence, S.C., October 24, 1864, veteran.

Schorman, Henry, private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured April 20, 1.864; died at Florence, S.C., December 8, 1864, veteran.

Sheffler, Joseph, private, September 7, 1861, three years; died, at Plymouth, N.C.; date unknown.

Sweetwood, Daniel, private, September 7, 1861, three years; died at Philadelphia, Pa., July 31, 1862.

Stants, Isaac, private, September 7, 1861, three years; died date unknown.

Smith, Hiram, private, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged February 27, 1862.

Saxton, Uriah, private, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged on surgeon’s certificate December 7, 1861.

Saxton, Hezekiah, private, September. 7, 1861, three years; discharged on surgeon’s certificate March 28, 1863.

Say, William H., private, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged June 16, 1862.

Stanford, James, private, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged on surgeon’s certificate February 18,1862.

Shakley, George, private, September 7, 1861, three years; transferred to Company G December 7, 1861.

Timms, Absalom S., private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured April 20, 1864; mustered out with company June 25, 1865, veteran.

Thomas, Wm, H.H., private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured April 20, 1864; absent, sick, at muster out, veteran.

Thom, Robert C., private, September 7, 1861, three years; prisoner from April 20, to December 14, 1864; discharged by general order April 12, 1865, to date December 21, 1864.

Titus, William, private, September 7, 1861, three years; died at Camp Orr, Pa., February 5, 1862.

Titus, Daniel, private, September 7, 1861, three years; died at Beaufort, N.C., December 17, 1863 – buried in National Cemetery, Newbern, plot 7, grave 59.

Texter, John, private, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged September 26, 1862.

Thompson, Milton, private, September 7, 1861, three years; transferred to Company F December 7, 1861.

Taylor, William, private, September 7, 1861, three years; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, date unknown.

Vaughn, Joseph K., private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured at Plymouth, N.C., April 20, 1864; veteran.

Vandyke, David L., private, August 18, 1862, three years; captured April 20, 1864; died at Andersonville, Ga., October 1, 1864, grave 10158.

Watson, Thomas J., private, September 7, 1861, three years; died April 14, 1862.

Wyon, William, private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured; died at Florence, S.C., November 25, 1864; veteran.

Wilson, Newton, private, December 25, 1861, three years; died, date unknown.

Wishard, Alexander, private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured April 20, 1864; died at Richmond, Va., December 20, 1864; veteran.

Wilhelm, Henry B., private, September 17, 1861, three years; discharged July 19, 1862.

Williams, John, private, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged on surgeon’s certificate, date unknown.

Whitman, William, private, September 7, 1861, three years; discharged on surgeon’s certificate, November 1, 1861.

Wilson, Jeremiah P., private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured April 20, 1864; wounded same day; mustered out with company June 25, 1865; veteran.

Wilson, William A., private, March 3, 1864, three years; mustered out with company, June 25, 1865.

Williams, George R., private, March 3, 1864, three years; mustered out with company June 25, 1865.

Wilhelm, James S., private, September 7, 1861, three years; captured at Plymouth, N.C., April 20, 1864; veteran.

* Bates has James H. Lobaugh, of Company A, One Hundred and Third P.V., marked “Deserted date unknown.” This to the writer seems an unjust record. He received a discharge January 20, 1863. Having been examined three times to go to his regiment and each time sent back to his quarters, Lobaugh was finally examined for a discharge by a Dr. Thompson, who said he ought to be sent home. Lobaugh went, as ordered, to the detail tent on the 20th, and received his discharge from Charles Holden, the confidential clerk of Charles A. McCall, M.D., the surgeon in charge of Mt. Pleasant Hospital. On this discharge he was paid in full some ninety odd dollars, and also received a special rate card for transportation home. In 1884 the adjutant-general wrote Lobaugh that the paper purporting to be his discharge, which he had presented to that office, was a forgery, perpetrated by an employee of Mt. Pleasant Hospital, that it had been stamped and retained in that office. Forgery or not, it is the settled conviction of the writer that it was received by the soldier in good faith, and if a forgery, that he was not a party to it. The case implies bribery and that offense could not have been committed without money. Lobaugh always had been, was then, and is now, a poor man. If he be the victim of a forgery, this record refuses to hold him as a deserter. It accepts the paper in question to be, as far as James H. Lobaugh is concerned, an honorable discharge.

SOURCE:  Page(s) 232-243, History of Clarion County, A.J. Davis, A.J.; Syracuse, N.Y.: D. Mason & Co. 1887

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