Frankford residents served in every major battle during the Civil War. We mark the 155th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg this week.
These are the names of the men who died in the battle and one who was taken prisoner only to later die as a prisoner of war.
Joseph Johnson was born about 1838 and was a carpenter when he was mustered into the 121st Pennsylvania volunteers – Company I on August 13, 1862. Private Johnson was taken prisoner at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863, and died in Annapolis, Maryland.
Peter McNally was born about 1838 in Scotland and was a shoemaker when he was mustered into the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteers, Company I on August 20, 1862. He died at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. He was survived by his father Robert and mother Mary.
Robert Rae was born about 1826 in Pennsylvania and was working as a Mason when he was mustered into the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteers, Company I on August 18, 1862. He died at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. He was survived by his wife Anna, daughters Catherine and Lah and son Charles.
James Butcher was born about 1839 and was a wheelwright living at 216 Frankford Avenue when he was mustered into the 28th regiment Pennsylvania volunteers – Company D on July 8, 1862. He died at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. He was survived by his father Thomas P. and mother Caroline. He is buried in the Gettysburg National Cemetery – Pennsylvania Plot, Section D, Site #53.
Robert Lesher was born in Pennsylvania about 1839 and lived on Frankford Avenue near Cedar Hill Cemetery. He was working as a carpenter when he was mustered into the California Regiment, 71st Pennsylvania Volunteers Company D on May 28, 1861. He was wounded in battle on July 3rd and died of his wounds on July 8, 1863. He is buried in Gettysburg National Cemetery, section A, grave, 40. He was survived by his father Jacob, mother Hester, sisters Eliza, Mary, Rachel and Elizabeth and brothers Joseph and William.
Samuel C. Rodgers was born about 1832 in Pennsylvania and was a car driver when mustered into the 114th Regiment Pennsylvania volunteers – Company K on August 14, 1862. Private Rodgers died in Gettysburg on July 13, 1863. He was survived by his wife Sarah and sons William (8), Samuel (6) and Allen (4).
William Reynolds was born about 1812 in New Jersey. By 1860 he and his family had moved to Frankford where he worked in one of the mills. He was mustered into the 26th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers – Company I on May 31, 1861. He was wounded at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, and taken prisoner. He died on November 9, 1864, of “starvation and brutal treatment while a prisoner of war at Salisbury, N. C.”. He was survived by his wife Susan, daughter Sarah and son Jonathan.
Lest we forget.
