October 15, 1861

4 1 0
                                    

This is my recounts of the times you are about to read.

My names is Joseph P Sain. I was just a regular blacksmith working in Philadelphia when I heard the news that Fort Sumter had been attacked. When I heard of Abraham Lincoln's call for 75,000 volunteers to put down this rebellion, I decided that because I feared for my family's safety, I just enlisted in the 77th Pennsylvania Infantry, nicknamed the Ruffed Grouses. My good wife Lucy wished me the best of luck before I was to move out to Pittsburgh. Our commander was Frederick S Stumbaugh, sounding and looking as though he was Prussian by birth. Back then, I was under the impression I was marching into glory. Looking back, I wish I could have told my younger self that I would find both glory and horror.

Civil War Journal: Ruffed GrousesWhere stories live. Discover now