** The picture is courtesy of the Mark Leinaweaver Collection and the US Army Military History Institute

     The Seventh Reserve regiment was organized on the 26th of June, 1861, and Elisha B. Harvey, of Wilkes Barre, was made colonel: Joseph Totten, of Mechanicsburg, lieutenant colonel, and Chancey A. Lyman, of Lock Haven, major. The regiment was made up of companies from Cumberland, Perry, Lebanon, Luzerne and Philadelphia counties. The regiment was ordered to Washington on the 21st of July, and on the 27th was mustered into the service of the United States at Camp Wayne in Chester County. On the 2nd of August it went forward to the rendezvous of the Pennsylvania reserves, and was assigned to the brigade of General George G. Meades. From this time until October it was engaged in drilling and picket duty. In the latter month it joined the Army of the Potomac. From this time until March the 7th had duty in the defenses of Washington and along the C&O Canal. When General George B. McClellen led the Army of the Potomac in the Peninsula Campaign in the spring of 1862, the Pennsylvania Reserves became part of the 5th Corps under General John Fitz Porter. On the Peninsula, in what became known as the "Seven Days Battle" the 7th was heavily engaged at the battles of Mechanicsville, Beaver Dam Creek, Gaines' Mill, White Oak Swamp, Charles City Crossroads, Glendale and Malvern Hill. In the summer of 1862, after General John Pope was given command of portions of the Army of the Potomac, the 7th was engaged at the Battle of Groveton, participated in the campaign and Battle of the 2nd Bull Run. When McClellan was reinstated as commander they were engaged in the Battle of South Mountain in September, where it made an impetuous charge in which Colonel Bollinger was severely wounded. At the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862 the regiment was actively engaged and lost heavily charging into Miller's Cornfield in the morning. After Antietam, McClellan was relieved of command and replaced by General Ambrose Burnside. In October, the Army of the Potomac moved to Warrenton, Virginia and in thence towards Fredericksburg. The 7th participated in the campaign and Battle of Fredericksburg on December 13, 1862. Despite the crushing defeat of the Army of the Potomac, it was here that the 7th Reserves had its greatest day. At Hamilton's Crossing at Fredericksburg, Meade's Pennsylvania Reserves broke Stonewall Jackson's line and the 7th Reserves captured more than a hundred prisoners and the battle-flag of 19th Georgia Infantry. This was the only trophy won at what was considered a humiliating defeat for the Army of the Potomac. Jacob Cart, of Company A, later received the Congressional Medal of Honor for the capture of that flag. During the winter following, the 7th remained in camp near Belle Plain, Virginia, with the exception of a short time spent on what became known as Burnside's "Mud March." In February of 1863, it was transferred from the field to the Department of Washington, where it remained, in discharge mostly of provost and guard duty in and around Alexandria, Virginia. In this time several changes were made among the field officers, and Captain L. G. Speese was promoted to major. After General U.S. Grant assumed overall command of the Union armies, the 7th rejoined the Army of the Potomac in the latter part of April, 1864 despite the fact that the regiment's enlistment ran out in July. It participated in the Grant's spring campaign against General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. At the Battle of the Wilderness on May 5, 1864, the 7th Reserves became separated in the fierce fighting and thick undergrowth which marked this horrible engagement. After fighting gallantly, they were cut off from the rest of the army, surrounded and forced to surrender so as to avoid complete annihilation. Only Company B managed to make its way back to friendly territory. A makeshift battalion of around 100 men under the command of Major Samuel B. King, fought on until the end of the war and mustered out in Philadelphia in 1865. The history of the remainder of the unit ends with the fight against starvation and death in the confederate prison pens at Andersonville and Macon Georgia. Out of the two hundred and fifty men who were taken, sixty-seven died in this prison and many afterward by reason of their hardship and exposure there. Company F of the regiment whose achievements and sufferings have just been recounted, was recruited in Luzerne County. Below are the records of that company as published by the State. The time of service was three years:

      Capt. Legrand B. Speese-promoted Maj. captured at Wilderness, May 5, 1864
      John Robinson-mustered out with Company, June 16, 1864
      1st Lt. Chas. W. Garrettson-resigned Aug. 11, 1862
      James Robinson-mustered out with Company June 16, 1864
      2nd Lt. Chas. A. Lane-resigned July 9, 1862
      John B. Laycock-captured at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864
      1st Sgt.Levi G. McCauley-promoted 1st Lt. Company C, Jan 1, 1862
      Albert Jones-died of wounds rec'd at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862
      Issac B. Tubbs-Missing in Action at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864
      Sgt. John S. Harrison-absent/sick at muster out
      Thomas Markle-discharged on a Surgeons Certificate, June 23, 1862
      William Helf-Missing in Action at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864
      Jameson Bells- Missing in Action at the Wilderness
      James Green- Killed at the Battle of Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1862
      James S. Haney- Killed at the Battle of White Oak Swamp June 30, 1862
      Cpl. Oliver Gregory- wounded at Fredericksburg Dec. 13, 1862
      Joseph R. Westner- wounded at Gaine's Mill, June 27, 1862
      Daniel D. Wilcox- discharged on a Surgeon's Certificate, Oct. 20, 1862
      Solomon Taylor- wounded at Gaines' Mill
      Alfred B. Bowman- discharged on a Surgeon's Certificate, Sept. 22, 1861
      G.W. Lietington- Missing in Action at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864
      Wilson Long- captured at the Wilderness May 5, 1864. Discharged Feb. 27, 1865.
      John R. Koons- captured at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Discharged March 22, 1865.
      George W. Holmes- Killed at Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1862.
      Ogden Hoffman- Killed at White Oak Swamp, June 30,1862.
      Minor A. Britton- died of wounds rec'd at Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862.
      Musicians- George W. Charters-discharged on Surgeon's Certificate, Dec. 31 1861.
      Nathan Kleintop-promoted principal musician of the Regt., June 1, 1862.
      Pvts. Robert Ackers-discharged on Surgeons Certificate Oct. 31, 1861.
      Mark Ashworth- discharged on a Surgeon's Certificate, March 5, 1863.
      Henry Albert- Killed at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862.
      Hudson Allen- mustered out with company, June 16, 1864.
      R.C. Buckalew- mustered out with company June 16, 1864.
      Oscar Buckalew- discharged on a Surgeon's Certificate, Oct. 17, 1862.
      George H. Burrows- wounded at Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1862.
      William Bryant- wounded at Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1862.
      James N. Brown- discharged on a Surgeon's Certificate, Jan. 13, 1863.
      Andrew Collins- transferred to the Veteran Receive Corps, Dec. 1, 1863.
      John W. Caranel- Killed at 2nd Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1862.
      Alexander Dodson- mustered out with company June 16, 1864.
      Hiram Detrick-mustered out with company, June 16, 1864.
      Samuel R. Dailey- wounded at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862.
      Franklin Dailey, Jr.- transferred to the 190th Pa. Vols. May 31, 1864.
      John Dunmore- transferred to the 190th Pa. Vols. May 31, 1864.
      Luther Dodson- captured at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Discharged Apr. 7 1865.
      Evan B. Dodson- captured at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Discharged March 29, 1865.
      Arch Dunsmore- Missing in Action at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
      John Daily- Killed at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862.
      Charles Dare- deserted Aug. 19, 1862.
      Daniel Edwards- Wounded at Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1862.
      Alexander Emmons- Captured at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Discharged Feb 27, 1865.
      Byron Fairchild- Transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps. July 15, 1863.
      Franklin Flora- Wounded with loss of arm at White Oak Swamp, June 30, 1862
      John P. Fell- Missing in action at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
      Alvin H. Ford- Captured at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Discharged March 30, 1865.
      Ransford Fairchild- Missing in action at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
      Daniel Goodman- Captured at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Discharged March 30, 1865.
      Bowman Garrison- Captured at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
      Samuel H. Hagaman- Wounded at Gaines' Mill June 27, 1862.
      Robert Hunter- Discharged on a Surgeon's Certificate Jan. 19, 1863.
      Jerome Haleker- Transferred to the 190th Pa. Vols. May 31, 1864.
      Newel Harrison- Captured at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Discharged May 11, 1865.
      S.L. Hagenback- Captured at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Discharged Apr. 1, 1865.
      Nathan B. Harrison- Died at Harrison's Landing, Virginia July 21, 1862.
      William Hinkley- Killed at White Oak Swamp, June 30, 1862.
      Benton L. Huser- Deserted, Nov. 16, 1863.
      Levi Johnson- Missing in action at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
      Chas. D. Jackson- Killed at Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1862.
      Andrew Keiper- Discharged on a Surgeon's Certificate, Dec. 29, 1863.
      Edward Kelly- Captured at Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Died at Andersonville Oct. 24,1864.       Buried in Grave # 11,384.
      Joseph Longworth- Transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps Nov. 13, 1863.
      Israel P. Long- Missing in action at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
      William Lape- Missing in action at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
      Reuben Labor- Captured at the Wilderness May 5, 1864. Died at Andersonville, Oct. 10,1864.
      Samuel W. Long- Died July 8, 1862 from wounds rec'd at Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1862.
      Mervin O. Matthews- Transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, Oct. 7, 1863.
      James Monegan- Transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, Dec. 15, 1863.
      John Montgomery- Discharged on a Surgeon's Certificate, Jan. 8, 1863.
      William B. Mears- Transferred to the 190th Pa. Vols. May 31, 1864.
      William B. Marshall- Transferred to the 190th Pa. Vols. May 31, 1864.
      Martin L. McNeal- Transferred to the 190th Pa. Vols. May 31, 1864.
      William R. Monroe- Captured at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Discharged Apr. 1, 1865.
      Bryant Morton- Captured at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Died at Andersonville, Aug. 3,       1864.
      Lockwood F. Millard- Missing in action at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
      Evan B. Myers- Killed at Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1862.
      Samuel Mershon- died Sept. 26, 1862 from wounds rec'd at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862.
      Charles H. Owen- Missing in Action at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
      Francis A. O'Dell- Deserted Nov. 26, 1862.
      George W. Porter- Discharged Nov. 18, 1862 for wounds rec'd at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862.
      Isaac H. Phillips- Discharged on a Surgeon's Certificate June 17, 1862.
      Samuel J. Pealor- Deserted.
      William Row- Discharged on a Surgeon's Certificate, March 16, 1862.
      Henry Ridler- Missing in Action at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
      George W. Roat- Captured at the Wilderness. Discharged March 1, 1865.
      George Staub- Transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, Oct. 7, 1865.
      William C. Stoner- Transferred to U.S. gunboat service, Feb. 14, 1862.
      Edwin Seeley- Discharged on a Surgeon's Certificate, Oct 9, 1862.
      Josiah Sox- Discharged on a Surgeon's Certificate, Jan. 19, 1863.
      Cyclare Smallwood- Captured at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Died at Andersonville, Oct. 8,       1864.
      Andrew C. Smith- Missing in action at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
      Jasper Steel- Missing in action at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
      Hamilton Tubbs- Discharged on a Surgeon's Certificate Oct. 31, 1861.
      Charles Tuttle- Discharged on a Surgeon's Certificate, May 8, 1862.
      John W. Thomas- Discharged Sept. 4, 1863 for wounds rec'd at Fredericksburg, Dec. 13,       1862.
      John C. Turner- Missing in action at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
      John K. Torbert- Captured at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Discharged on May 8,1865.
      Francis Transure- Captured at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Discharged on Feb. 9, 1865.
      Almond Woodworth- Discharged on Oct. 24, 1862 for wounds rec'd at Antietam Sept. 17,       1862.
      Daniel Wood- Discharged on a Surgeon's Certificate, Dec. 20, 1862.
      John H. Workheiser- Discharged on a Surgeon's Certificate, Dec. 19, 1862.
      Adam Wray- Wounded at Charles City Crossroads June 30, 1862. Discharged Dec. 31, 1862.
      Reuben Wilson- Missing in action at the Wilderness, May 5, 1864.
      Josiah White- Deserted, date unknown.
         

"The History of Luzerne, Lackawanna and Wyoming Counties, Pa. with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Their Prominent Men and Pioneers" W.W. Munsell and Co. New York, 1880
"The History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers Volume I" Bates
The Diary of Jacob Heffelfinger, Co. H 7th Penna. Reserves

** The picture is reported to have been taken near Falmouth, Virginia in May of 1862. If date is correct, I'm not sure about that location. Somewhere in camp outside of Washington and near the Potomac River would be more accurate for that date. The 7th Reserves were in a camp known as Camp Pierpoint around that time and that might be more accurate but as is the case with many of these types of period photos, that is open to interpretation.

This Information was collected and Obtained by: Ben

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