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25 cited as most influential Lancaster Countians of the century

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/lhdo14343
Author
Loose, John Ward Willson.
Date of Publication
2000.
More detail
Responsibility
by John Ward Willson Loose.
Author
Loose, John Ward Willson.
Place of Publication
Lancaster, Pa
Publisher
Lancaster County Historical Society,
Date of Publication
2000.
Physical Description
178-194 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.
Series
Journal of the Lancaster County Historical Society ; v.102, no.4
Notes
Reprinted with permission from Lancaster Newspapers Inc., January 1, 2001.
Contents
Kendig Charles Bare (1913-1989)--D. Luke Biemesderfer (1894-1989)--Bertha Brossman Eby Blair (1892-1985)--Adolph Christian Darmstaetter (1887-1978)--Guy Graybill Diehm (1880-1970)--Milton Thomas Garvin (1860-1946)--William W. Griest (1858-1929)--Nathaniel E. Hager (1900-1982)--Byron K. Horne (1901-1992)--Ruth Grigg Horting (1900-1988)--Nancy Keiper Long (1884-1943)--John Piersol McCaskey(1837-1935)--Paul Albert Mueller, Sr. (1898-1956)--Frank Custer Musser (1873-1933)--Caroline Steinman Nunan (1925-)--Henning Webb Prentis, Jr. (1884-1959)--Earl Franklin Rebman (1895-1984)--Isidore Rosenthal (1872-1954)--William Shand (1889-1982)--S. June Smith--Keith Spalding (1822-)--James Hale Steinman (1886-1962)--Daniel Bursk Strickler (1897-1992)--Clifford G. Twombly (1869-1942)--Henry Stackpole Williamson (1853-1917).
Subjects
Celebrities - Pennsylvania - Lancaster County
Lancaster County (Pa.) - Biography.
Contained In
Journal of the Lancaster County Historical Society. Volume 102, number 4 (2000), p. 178-194Lancaster History Library - Journal974.9 L245 v.102, no.4
Less detail

100 years of Fulton banking, 1882-1982

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/lhdo10549
Author
Loose, John Ward Willson.
Date of Publication
1982]
Call Number
332.1 F974L
More detail
Author
Loose, John Ward Willson.
Place of Publication
[Lancaster, Pa.?
Publisher
Fulton Bank?,
Date of Publication
1982]
Physical Description
46 p. : ill. ; 26 x 22 cm.
Notes
Cover title.
Subjects
Fulton Bank (Lancaster Pa.)
Banks and banking - Pennsylvania - Lancaster.
Location
Lancaster History Library - Lancaster County
Call Number
332.1 F974L
Less detail

200 years of ancient York Masonry in Lancaster, Pennsylvania history of Lodge, NO. 43, F.&A.M

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/lhdo42
Date of Publication
1995
Call Number
366.1 F855de
More detail
Place of Publication
Lancaster, Pa
Publisher
Published by the Lodge
Date of Publication
1995
Physical Description
iii, 75 p. : 25 cm.
Subjects
Freemasons. - Lodge, No. 43 (Lancaster, Pa.)
Additional Author
Loose, John Ward Willson.
Location
Lancaster History Library - Lancaster County
Call Number
366.1 F855de
Less detail

Along the Susquehanna : an exhibition at the Lancaster County Historical Society : summer, 2006-summer, 2007

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/lhdo17951
Date of Publication
2006.
More detail
Responsibility
Monica Spiese, Vincent Slaugh, John W. W. Loose, James Alton, Heather Tennies and Barry Rauhauser.
Place of Publication
Lancaster, Pa
Publisher
Lancaster County Historical Society ,
Date of Publication
2006.
Physical Description
p. 100 - 147.
Series
In: Journal of the Lancaster County Historical Society, v. 108, no. 3 (Fall 2006).
Subjects
Lancaster County Historical Society - Exhibitions.
York County Heritage Trust - Exhibitions.
Susquehanna River - Exhibitions.
Susquehanna River Valley - Exhibitions.
Additional Author
Spiese, Monica.
Slaugh, Vincent.
Loose, John Ward Willson.
Alton, James.
Tennies, Heather.
Rauhauser, Barry.
Contained In
Journal of the Lancaster County Historical Society. Volume 108, number 3 (2006), p. 100-147Lancaster History Library - Journal974.815 L224 v. 108
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The anthracite iron industry of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : 1840-1900. A thesis presented to the faculty of the Department of Social Studies, Millersville State College, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Education

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/lhdo4777
Author
Loose, John Ward Willson.
Date of Publication
1967.
Call Number
669.1 L863
More detail
Author
Loose, John Ward Willson.
Place of Publication
Millersville, Pa
Publisher
State College,
Date of Publication
1967.
Physical Description
viii, 171 β. ; 28 cm.
Notes
Bibliography: β. 141-153.
Contents
Chikiswalungo Furnace -- Henry Clay Furnace -- Sarah Ann Furnace -- Conestoga Furnace -- Marietta Furnace -- Donegal Furnace -- Cordelia Furnace -- Safe Harbor Furnace -- St. Charles Furnace -- Eagle Furnace -- Vesta Furnace -- Railroads -- Chickies Furnace -- Penn Iron Works Rolling Mill -- Lancaster Manufacturing Co. -- Penn Iron Co. -- Safe Harbor Rolling Mill -- Reeves, Abbott And Co. -- Columbia Rolling Mill -- Smith, Bruner, Sourbeer and Co. -- Lancaster Rolling Mill -- Susquehanna Rolling Mill -- Susquehanna Iron Co. -- Chickies Rolling Mill -- Columbia Iron Co. Rolling Mill -- Shawnee Furnace.
Subjects
Iron industry and trade - Pennsylvania - Lancaster County.
Srikes and lockouts
Additional Corporate Author
Millersville State College (Millersville, Pa.). Graduate Studies Division. Masters thesis. History.
Location
Lancaster History Library - Lancaster County
Call Number
669.1 L863
Less detail

The anthracite iron industry of Lancaster County : rolling mills 1850-1900

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/lhdo2268
Author
Loose, John Ward Willson.
Date of Publication
1982.
years for a return on their investment. All that time it was one steady bee-hive of industry for the employment of our iron workers. They, and through them, the town reaped the profits of the investment which the stockholders had had.69 Prices of Susquehanna Iron Company stock soared in 1883 to $206.50
More detail
  1 document  
Responsibility
by John Ward Willson Loose.
Author
Loose, John Ward Willson.
Place of Publication
Lancaster, Pa
Publisher
Lancaster County Historical Society,
Date of Publication
1982.
Physical Description
129-144 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.
Series
Journal of the Lancaster County Historical Society ; v. 86, no. 4
Subjects
Iron industry and trade - Pennsylvania - Lancaster County.
Founding.
Factories - Pennsylvania - Lancaster County.
Rolling-mills.
Contained In
Journal of the Lancaster County Historical Society. Volume 86, number 4 (1982), p. 129-144Lancaster History Library - Journal974.9 L245 v.86
Documents
thumbnail

edit_vol86no4pp129_144.pdf

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Appeals from the Orphans' Court of Lancaster County : in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania - Eastern District - January term, 1894. Estate of Thaddeus Stevens, deceased

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/lhdo14619
Call Number
923.2 S846
More detail
Physical Description
Various publications.
Notes
Includes: Appeals from the Orphans' Court of Lancaster County (Appeals of Thaddeus J. B. Stevens and others, heirs-at-law of Thaddeus Stevens, deceased) ; Argument of Appellee (George M. Kline) ; Appellants' paper book (Chas. R. Kline and W. U. Hensel for appellant, January term, 1901, no. 72) ; Lancaster Law Review containing the decisions of the courts of Lancaster County :Stevens' appeal , Stevens' estate ad Wiestling's appeal, Stevens' estate ; Letter from George M. Kline dealing with the estate of Thaddeus Stevens.
Subjects
Stevens, Thaddeus, - 1792 - 1868.
Additional Author
Loose, John Ward Willson.
Location
Lancaster History Library - Book
Call Number
923.2 S846
Less detail

Archive

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/6697af68-5c50-4606-a98e-814511042041
Collection
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Title
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers, Series D-61 Civil War, 1861
Object ID
MG0828_SeriesD-61
Date Range
1861
More detail
Collection
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Title
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers, Series D-61 Civil War, 1861
Description
The General Thomas Welsh Family Papers, Series D-61 contains fifteen documents from 1861. The series consists of letters written by Thomas Welsh to his wife and children describing his experiences as an officer in the Union Army. The series also includes letters written by Welsh's wife and children describing events at home in Columbia. The letters show Welsh to be a devoted husband and father and his family to miss him very much. Welsh raised and organized the first company of volunteers from Lancaster County. The regiment served most of its 90-day enlistment in the Shenandoah Valley from where many of the letters were written. The series also includes a pass for Camp Curtin, Dauphin County where Welsh served as Commandant and a letter from Otter Island, South Carolina where Welsh later served as a Colonel in the 45th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
Admin/Biographical History
Thomas Welsh (1824-1863) was a Lancaster County native (born and raised in Columbia), who rose from hardscrabble origins to local fame, first as a Mexican War hero, and then as a brigadier general during the Civil War. He was well known and well respected as a no nonsense officer, for his leadership and gallantry in battle, for his dedication to the service of his country, and for his concern for the welfare of his men.
Welsh lost his father at the age of 2, and went to work to support his family at age 8. He had very little formal schooling, and was largely self-educated. In 1843, at age 19, he left Lancaster County for Washington City, then went west as an itinerant carpenter/laborer to Cincinnati, Little Rock, and Fort Smith.
When the Mexican War broke out in 1846, he enlisted in a Kentucky regiment, and was severely wounded at the battle of Buena Vista (1847) from which he never fully recovered. Returning home to Columbia, he re-enlisted as a second lieutenant, assigned to the 11th U.S. infantry regiment in Mexico City. Within days of his arrival in Mexico City, he was declared unfit for service on account of his battle wound, and sent home again.
Back in Columbia as a civilian, he dabbled in politics, and received a patronage job in the Pennsylvania Main Line of Public Works (the rail and canal system connecting Philadelphia and Pittsburgh). After several years, he opened up a grocery and dry goods store in Columbia's canal basin. He also became an insurance agent. In 1857, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and his reputation grew as a community leader. By 1860, he was president of the Borough Council, a founding member of the Columbia Board of Trade, Vice President of the Columbia Cricket Club, and a canal boat operator, in addition to a dry goods merchant, insurance agent, and Justice of the Peace. He had a wife, 5 surviving children, and legal guardianship of his sister's 4 children.
When Confederate forces shelled Fort Sumter, marking the beginning of the Civil War, Thomas Welsh raised and organized the first company of volunteers from Lancaster County, and took them into the field as their Captain. Within days, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment, which served out its 90-day enlistment in the Shenandoah Valley.
Returning to Harrisburg, he was appointed Commandant of Camp Curtin, the problem-plagued processing center for new recruits. In short order, Welsh cleaned up the camp's poor sanitary conditions, improved the health of the camp, and implemented soldierly discipline and training.
In October 1861, he resigned from his camp duties, and as Colonel of the 45th Pennsylvania, led his regiment into the field. After brief service outside of Washington, they were sent to South Carolina in December, where they were posted to Otter Island. After the battle of James Island, they were recalled to Newport News, in July 1862, then sent to guard Aquia Creek.
In September, now in brigade command in Burnsides' 9th Corps, Welsh chased Lee's Confederate army west into central Maryland. His brigade broke the enemy line in Fox's Gap, on Sept. 14, then 3 days later achieved the furthest Union advance at Antietam, reaching the edge of Sharpsburg, and nearly cutting off Lee's only avenue of escape. Welsh's gallantry earned him a field promotion to brigadier general, which Congress confirmed on March 13, 1863.
The 9th Corps (Welsh now in command of the 1st Division) was sent west in the spring of 1863, then dispatched south to support Grant's investment of Vicksburg. After Vicksburg fell, they turned east and defeated Confederate General Johnston at the Battle of Jackson. Welsh contracted malaria in the southern swamps, and died in Cincinnati upon their return north. One of his men later recalled, "Had he lived, Welsh would undoubtedly have attained a much higher command. 1
1. Beauge, Eugene, in Albert, Allen D., Ed., History of the Forty-Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteer Infantry 1861-1865, Williamsport, PA: Grit Publ. Co, 1912, p. 79.
System of Arrangement
The collection is arranged in series:
Series A Thomas Welsh before the Mexican War
Series B Mexican War, 1846-1848
Series C Between the Mexican War and the Civil War, 1848-1861
Series D Civil War
Series E Post-Civil War
Series F Miscellaneous Family Papers
Series G Papers from the families of Gen. Thomas Welsh and Blanton C. Welsh
Date Range
1861
Creation Date
1861
Creator
Wiggin, Richard C.
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 19
Storage Container
Box 0001
People
Welsh, Thomas
Subjects
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Letters
Personal correspondence
Search Terms
Civil War
Letters
Correspondence, Personal
Extent
16 folders
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Condition
Fair to good
Parent Object ID
MG0828
Object ID
MG0828_SeriesD-61
Notes
Added to PP 12/23/2020 by HST
Provenance:
Most passed down through the family, Blanton Charles Welsh to Emilie Benson (Welsh) Wiggin to Nancy Jane (Wiggin) Townsend. Acquired from: Chuck Townsend, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2016/05/15.
MG0828_SeriesD-61_F15 is a transcription provided by Dennis Buttacavoli via email. The original is presumed by donor to be in his possession.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Some items are photocopies from other collections--researchers must obtain permission for reproduction and publication from the owner of the original material.
Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Classification
MG0828
Description Level
Series
Custodial History
Cataloged by Richard C. Wiggin prior to donation.
Less detail

Archive

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/81fa4de3-4957-47bb-b149-040089796190
Collection
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Title
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers, Series D-62 Civil War, 1862
Object ID
MG0828_SeriesD-62
Date Range
1862
More detail
Collection
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Title
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers, Series D-62 Civil War, 1862
Description
The General Thomas Welsh Family Papers, Series D-62 contains twenty-two documents from 1862. The series consists of letters and official papers related to the military activities of Thomas Welsh, in command of the 2nd Brigade of General Orlando Willcox's 1st Division, General Burnside's 9th Army Corps, command consisting of Regiments 45th and 100th Pennsylvania, 46th New York, and 8th Michigan. The series includes letters written by Welsh to his family and letters from his family written to him. Welsh's command participated in several battles during the year including South Mountain and Antietam. Official correspondence includes reports by General Willcox and others as well as Willcox's recommendation that Welsh be promoted to Brigadier General for his bravery and conduct in battle.
Admin/Biographical History
Thomas Welsh (1824-1863) was a Lancaster County native (born and raised in Columbia), who rose from hardscrabble origins to local fame, first as a Mexican War hero, and then as a brigadier general during the Civil War. He was well known and well respected as a no nonsense officer, for his leadership and gallantry in battle, for his dedication to the service of his country, and for his concern for the welfare of his men.
Welsh lost his father at the age of 2, and went to work to support his family at age 8. He had very little formal schooling, and was largely self-educated. In 1843, at age 19, he left Lancaster County for Washington City, then went west as an itinerant carpenter/laborer to Cincinnati, Little Rock, and Fort Smith.
When the Mexican War broke out in 1846, he enlisted in a Kentucky regiment, and was severely wounded at the battle of Buena Vista (1847) from which he never fully recovered. Returning home to Columbia, he re-enlisted as a second lieutenant, assigned to the 11th U.S. infantry regiment in Mexico City. Within days of his arrival in Mexico City, he was declared unfit for service on account of his battle wound, and sent home again.
Back in Columbia as a civilian, he dabbled in politics, and received a patronage job in the Pennsylvania Main Line of Public Works (the rail and canal system connecting Philadelphia and Pittsburgh). After several years, he opened up a grocery and dry goods store in Columbia's canal basin. He also became an insurance agent. In 1857, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and his reputation grew as a community leader. By 1860, he was president of the Borough Council, a founding member of the Columbia Board of Trade, Vice President of the Columbia Cricket Club, and a canal boat operator, in addition to a dry goods merchant, insurance agent, and Justice of the Peace. He had a wife, 5 surviving children, and legal guardianship of his sister's 4 children.
When Confederate forces shelled Fort Sumter, marking the beginning of the Civil War, Thomas Welsh raised and organized the first company of volunteers from Lancaster County, and took them into the field as their Captain. Within days, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment, which served out its 90-day enlistment in the Shenandoah Valley.
Returning to Harrisburg, he was appointed Commandant of Camp Curtin, the problem-plagued processing center for new recruits. In short order, Welsh cleaned up the camp's poor sanitary conditions, improved the health of the camp, and implemented soldierly discipline and training.
In October 1861, he resigned from his camp duties, and as Colonel of the 45th Pennsylvania, led his regiment into the field. After brief service outside of Washington, they were sent to South Carolina in December, where they were posted to Otter Island. After the battle of James Island, they were recalled to Newport News, in July 1862, then sent to guard Aquia Creek.
In September, now in brigade command in Burnsides' 9th Corps, Welsh chased Lee's Confederate army west into central Maryland. His brigade broke the enemy line in Fox's Gap, on Sept. 14, then 3 days later achieved the furthest Union advance at Antietam, reaching the edge of Sharpsburg, and nearly cutting off Lee's only avenue of escape. Welsh's gallantry earned him a field promotion to brigadier general, which Congress confirmed on March 13, 1863.
The 9th Corps (Welsh now in command of the 1st Division) was sent west in the spring of 1863, then dispatched south to support Grant's investment of Vicksburg. After Vicksburg fell, they turned east and defeated Confederate General Johnston at the Battle of Jackson. Welsh contracted malaria in the southern swamps, and died in Cincinnati upon their return north. One of his men later recalled, "Had he lived, Welsh would undoubtedly have attained a much higher command. 1
1. Beauge, Eugene, in Albert, Allen D., Ed., History of the Forty-Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteer Infantry 1861-1865, Williamsport, PA: Grit Publ. Co, 1912, p. 79.
System of Arrangement
The collection is arranged in series:
Series A Thomas Welsh before the Mexican War
Series B Mexican War, 1846-1848
Series C Between the Mexican War and the Civil War, 1848-1861
Series D Civil War
Series E Post-Civil War
Series F Miscellaneous Family Papers
Series G Papers from the families of Gen. Thomas Welsh and Blanton C. Welsh
Date Range
1862
Creation Date
1862
Creator
Wiggin, Richard C.
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 19
Storage Container
Box 0001
People
Welsh, Thomas
Subjects
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Letters
Personal correspondence
Search Terms
Civil War
Letters
Correspondence, Personal
After action reports
Extent
22 folders
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Condition
Fair to excellent
Parent Object ID
MG0828
Object ID
MG0828_SeriesD-62
Location of Originals
The original of MG0828_SeriesD-62_F20 is in the Antietam National Battlefield Library, 45th Pennsylvania Regimental File.
Transcription of MG0828_SeriesD-62_F21 is in the Antietam National Battlefield Library, 45th Pennsylvania Regimental File. Original claimed to be in the collection of Dennis Buttacavoli.
Notes
Added to PP 12/26/2020 by HST
Provenance:
Some items: Passed down through the family, Blanton Charles Welsh to Emilie Benson (Welsh) Wiggin to Nancy Jane (Wiggin) Townsend. Acquired from: Chuck Townsend, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2016/05/15.
Some items: Transcription and photocopy acquired from Antietam National Battlefield Library, 45th Pennsylvania Regimental File.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Some items are photocopies from other collections--researchers must obtain permission for reproduction and publication from the owner of the original material.
Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Classification
MG0828
Description Level
Series
Custodial History
Cataloged by Richard C. Wiggin prior to donation.
Less detail

Archive

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/d9352a5a-5267-4a3f-a0ce-401968883248
Collection
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Title
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers, Series D-63 Civil War, 1863
Object ID
MG0828_SeriesD-63
Date Range
1863
More detail
Collection
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Title
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers, Series D-63 Civil War, 1863
Description
The General Thomas Welsh Family Papers, Series D-63 is a collection of thirty-three documents, which covers the year 1863 and consists of letters and official papers related to the military activities and death of Thomas Welsh. The series continues the exchange of letters between Welsh and his family until his untimely death on August 14, 1863. Military correspondence includes Senate confirmation of Welsh's field promotion to Brigadier General on March 13, 1863 and Welsh's new command of the 1st Division of General Burnside's 9th Army Corps. Welsh participated in the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, but took ill soon after. He died in Cincinnati, Ohio. Correspondence includes condolences offered to the family of General Welsh by individuals and members of the Union Army present at his death.
Note: Original series also contained two photographs.
Admin/Biographical History
Thomas Welsh (1824-1863) was a Lancaster County native (born and raised in Columbia), who rose from hardscrabble origins to local fame, first as a Mexican War hero, and then as a brigadier general during the Civil War. He was well known and well respected as a no nonsense officer, for his leadership and gallantry in battle, for his dedication to the service of his country, and for his concern for the welfare of his men.
Welsh lost his father at the age of 2, and went to work to support his family at age 8. He had very little formal schooling, and was largely self-educated. In 1843, at age 19, he left Lancaster County for Washington City, then went west as an itinerant carpenter/laborer to Cincinnati, Little Rock, and Fort Smith.
When the Mexican War broke out in 1846, he enlisted in a Kentucky regiment, and was severely wounded at the battle of Buena Vista (1847) from which he never fully recovered. Returning home to Columbia, he re-enlisted as a second lieutenant, assigned to the 11th U.S. infantry regiment in Mexico City. Within days of his arrival in Mexico City, he was declared unfit for service on account of his battle wound, and sent home again.
Back in Columbia as a civilian, he dabbled in politics, and received a patronage job in the Pennsylvania Main Line of Public Works (the rail and canal system connecting Philadelphia and Pittsburgh). After several years, he opened up a grocery and dry goods store in Columbia's canal basin. He also became an insurance agent. In 1857, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and his reputation grew as a community leader. By 1860, he was president of the Borough Council, a founding member of the Columbia Board of Trade, Vice President of the Columbia Cricket Club, and a canal boat operator, in addition to a dry goods merchant, insurance agent, and Justice of the Peace. He had a wife, 5 surviving children, and legal guardianship of his sister's 4 children.
When Confederate forces shelled Fort Sumter, marking the beginning of the Civil War, Thomas Welsh raised and organized the first company of volunteers from Lancaster County, and took them into the field as their Captain. Within days, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment, which served out its 90-day enlistment in the Shenandoah Valley.
Returning to Harrisburg, he was appointed Commandant of Camp Curtin, the problem-plagued processing center for new recruits. In short order, Welsh cleaned up the camp's poor sanitary conditions, improved the health of the camp, and implemented soldierly discipline and training.
In October 1861, he resigned from his camp duties, and as Colonel of the 45th Pennsylvania, led his regiment into the field. After brief service outside of Washington, they were sent to South Carolina in December, where they were posted to Otter Island. After the battle of James Island, they were recalled to Newport News, in July 1862, then sent to guard Aquia Creek.
In September, now in brigade command in Burnsides' 9th Corps, Welsh chased Lee's Confederate army west into central Maryland. His brigade broke the enemy line in Fox's Gap, on Sept. 14, then 3 days later achieved the furthest Union advance at Antietam, reaching the edge of Sharpsburg, and nearly cutting off Lee's only avenue of escape. Welsh's gallantry earned him a field promotion to brigadier general, which Congress confirmed on March 13, 1863.
The 9th Corps (Welsh now in command of the 1st Division) was sent west in the spring of 1863, then dispatched south to support Grant's investment of Vicksburg. After Vicksburg fell, they turned east and defeated Confederate General Johnston at the Battle of Jackson. Welsh contracted malaria in the southern swamps, and died in Cincinnati upon their return north. One of his men later recalled, "Had he lived, Welsh would undoubtedly have attained a much higher command. 1
1. Beauge, Eugene, in Albert, Allen D., Ed., History of the Forty-Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteer Infantry 1861-1865, Williamsport, PA: Grit Publ. Co, 1912, p. 79.
System of Arrangement
The collection is arranged in series:
Series A Thomas Welsh before the Mexican War
Series B Mexican War, 1846-1848
Series C Between the Mexican War and the Civil War, 1848-1861
Series D Civil War
Series E Post-Civil War
Series F Miscellaneous Family Papers
Series G Papers from the families of Gen. Thomas Welsh and Blanton C. Welsh
Date Range
1863
Creation Date
1863
Creator
Wiggin, Richard C.
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 19
Storage Container
Box 0001
People
Welsh, Thomas
Subjects
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Letters
Personal correspondence
Telegraph
Military orders
Search Terms
Civil War
Letters
Correspondence, Personal
Telegrams
Military orders
Extent
35 folders
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Condition
Poor to excellent
Condition Date
2020-12-26
Parent Object ID
MG0828
Object ID
MG0828_SeriesD-63
Notes
Added to PP 12/26/2020 by HST
Provenance:
Most items passed down through the family, Blanton Charles Welsh to Emilie Benson (Welsh) Wiggin to Nancy Jane (Wiggin) Townsend. Acquired from: Chuck Townsend, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2016/05/15.
Transcription of MG0828_SeriesD-63_F15 provided by Dennis Buttacavoli via email. The original is presumably in his possession.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Some items are photocopies from other collections--researchers must obtain permission for reproduction and publication from the owner of the original material.
Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Classification
MG0828
Description Level
Series
Custodial History
Cataloged by Richard C. Wiggin prior to donation.
Less detail

10 records – page 1 of 1.