Over a period of more than fifty years, the surviving members of the 47th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry kept the memories of their heroic, American Civil War-era service alive by planning and implementing a series of regimental reunions that were held almost every single year from the early 1870s through the mid-1930s—when there was only one 47th Pennsylvania Volunteer left alive to bear witness to all that he and his brothers in blue had seen and heard during the American Civil War.

Through it all, newspapers statewide reported on their annual gatherings—from pre-event planning to the post-event publication of the association’s expenditures. Examples are shown below. This list will be updated as regimental reunion research continues.

1870s

“The re-union of the surviving members of the 47th Pennsylvania regiment, to take place in Catasauqua on October 19, the anniversary of the battle of Cedar Creek, in Virginia, is eliciting much interest among those who belonged to the brave and unconquerable organization during its glorious career in the late internecine war. From present appearances there will be quite a large gathering on the occasion.” – Carbon Advocate, Lehighton, Pennsylvania, 31 August 1878

 

1880s

“47TH REGIMENT REUNION.—The tenth annual reunion of the 47th regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers will be held in Catasauqua on Saturday, October 21st. Oct. 22d is the anniversary of the bloody battle of Pocotaligo, South Carolina, the first real engagement in which the regiment participated, and in which two of its company commandants fell, Capts. Mickley and Junker, together with a number of others, and the day has ever since been observed by the survivors as their annual re-union day. The 22nd this year falling on Sunday the preceding day has been fixed upon for the meeting. A full attendance is desired. Every effort possible will be made by the citizens of Catasauqua to welcome the nation’s defenders, and the ‘boys’ will be sure to have a good time. A number of the members reside in this place, some in Catasauqua, others in Harrisburg, Sunbury, Newport, and the interior of the State. Col. J. P. S. Gobin and Col. Good have both signified their intention of being present. The several company ranks are thin now. Of those that comprised the glorious old 47th but a remnant remain. Some statistician may know how many of the original members are alive, and how many have solved the problem of life. We saw them march out for the seat of war 21 years ago as fair a band as ever Pennsylvania sent. On the coming re-union occasion a look on those who survive and meet, how different! The once erect form is bent and feeble. That frame that once was the model of physical beauty is maimed and lamed. That middle-aged, sedate man went out a youthful giant. Peace to them all! To the living and the dead.—The Allentown Democrat, Allentown, Pennsylvania, 20 September 1882

 

“THE RE-UNION OF THE FORTY-SEVENTH.—The annual re-union of the survivors of the 47th regiment Penna. Vols., Col. Good, will come off at Catasauqua on the 21st inst. The exercises will be held in the Town Hall, and will consist of addresses, &c. A dinner will be given to the members, after which the day will be spent in social intercourse. The celebration will awaken a thousand kindred sympathies which none but the members can know, for in all the round of human action there is no tie which binds men so strongly together as the fact that they have endured the same trials and faced the same dangers. The day will call up an endless train of recollections—some sad and others pleasant, just as sunshine and shadow chase each other down the mountainside and across the valley. It will bring back the old weird charm of the bivouac and the march, and brighten up the links of a thousand almost forgotten ties of army life.—While it serves to renew among the living the friendship which co conspicuously marked their soldier life, it will also recall the faces of the brave boys who fell on many a Southern field.”—The Allentown Democrat, Allentown, Pennsylvania, 11 October 1882

 

“THE RE-UNION OF THE OLD 47TH.—The glorious old 47th Regiment, Penna. Volunteers, which left for the seat of war Aug. 1861 a thousand strong, now numbers but about two hundred men. Last Monday 127 of these held their re-union in this city, the day being the anniversary of the battle of Pocotaligo, in South Carolina. Among the officers present were Col. Good, Col. Gobin, Lieut. Colonel Abbott, Captains Casey [sic], Yard, Leisenring, Gilbert, Kleckner and Mink, and Lieutenants Bartholomew, Wycker [sic, Wyker], Crader and Stein.—The meeting opened in Grand Army Hall at eleven o’clock. Capt. T. B. Leisenring delivered an eloquent address of welcome, to which Col. Gobin, of Lebanon, replied in his usually happy vein. Addresses were made by Capts. Casey [sic, Kacy], Yard and Shellinger, and Private Sandt. The music was furnished by the Forty-seventh Regiment Band under the leadership of Mr. Anthony Bush. Eight members of the association died during the year.—Fourteen new members were admitted. After an election of officers a collation was partaken of. All seemed to enjoy the re-union occasion. And what is there more pleasing than to meet the old faces of the long gone by—to listen to the incidents of camp life, of mutual toil and hardship, of picket guards in the dark, lonely swamps of the South, of the long marches without even hard tack to eat, of the bloody battle fields, of the cheers of victory after the battle was over, and a thousand other experiences of a soldier’s life. All feel after many years of separation like meeting again, to shake hands and talk about old times. There is no brotherly love so affectionate, so deep and so strong as that of soldiers’ love, brought together by mutual hardships and danger.”—The Allentown, Democrat, Allentown, Pennsylvania, 24 October 1883

 

“THE RE-UNION OF THE FORTY-SEVENTH.—Tuesday, 22nd inst., the survivors of the 47th regiment P. V., will hold their annual re-union in Catasauqua. Our city contributed four companies to the gallant corps. It is difficult to conceive of a more appropriate meeting together of men than just that of the surviving comrades of a bloody war. The men who at their country’s call tore themselves from weeping families and friends, and exchanged the comforts and luxuries of home for the hardships of camp and the dangers of the battle fields, are ever congenial companions. The regiment was made up of the following companies, viz:—Co. A, Capt. R. A. Graeffe, of Easton; B, Capt. E. P. Rhoads, of Allentown; C, Capt. J. P. S. Gobin, of Sunbury; D. Capt. Henry D. Woodruff, of Perry Co.; E, Capt. Chas. H. Yard, of Easton; F, Capt. H. S. Harte, of Catasauqua; G, Capt. Chas. Mickley, of Allentown; H, Capt. James Casey [sic], of Perry Co.; I, Capt. C. A. G. Keck, of Allentown. The regiment was officered in the outside as follows: T. H. Good, (deceased), of Allentown, Colonel; G. W. Alexander, (deceased), of Reading, Lieut. Colonel; Wm. H. Gaussler [sic, Gausler], of Allentown, Major, and J. W. Fuller, Jr., of Catasauqua, Adjutant.”—The Allentown Democrat, Allentown, Pennsylvania, 2 October 1889

 

1890s

“THE REUNION OF A REGIMENT: The Old Boys of the Forty-seventh Will Have Their Festival on the Morrow.—The survivors of the 47th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers are requested to meet at Daeufer & Co.’s hotel tomorrow morning at 9 o’clock, from which place they will take the electric cars for Catasauqua to attend the reunion. Companies are expected from Allentown, Hazleton, Sunbury, Easton and from Dauphin and Huntingdon Counties.

The parade will form at the Grand Army hall, on Bridge St., and start at 1 o’clock and proceed over the following route, with Jas. Crader as marshal: Down Bridge to Front, down Front to Race, up Race to Second, up Second to Chapel, down Chapel to Front and return to the hall. Speakers will be present from different parts of the state, prominent among whom are General Gobin, of Lebanon, and Dr. Bryant, the “Missouri Cyclone.”

The Sons of Veterans will hold a camp fire and bean soup banquet in the evening at the town hall. Speeches will be made by Dr. Bryant, District Attorney Schaadt, John L. Schwartz, and others.”—The Allentown Leader, Allentown, Pennsylvania, 20 October 1893

 

Observing via its headline that “Catasauqua Never Knew a Livelier Day—From Morn Till Dewy Eve the Drum Rolled and the Fife Tootle-Te-Tooled,” The Allentown Leader then reported on the annual event in “The Grand Old Men: The Veterans of the Forty-seventh Deserve That Title,” which was published in its 23 October edition:

“The reunion of the 47th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers made Saturday quite a gala day for the residents of Catasauqua. The national colors were displayed from many private residences, hotels and business places.

The veterans began arriving at 9 o’clock and at 10:30 a short street parade was held, headed by the West Catasauqua Band. After the parade the veterans proceeded to the town hall, where the meeting was called to order at 11:30 by James Tait, president. Capt. Joseph Machette delivered the opening address un the absence of the burgess. After a few well chosen remarks allowing the “vets” the liberty of the town, Gen. J. P. Gobin was introduced.

The general dwelt at some length on the patriotism of the Catasauqua soldiers and the devotion shown by the “vets” everywhere. Secretary Abbott then called the roll. The following field and staff officers were present: Col. J. P. Gobin, Lieut. Col. Abbott, Maj. Gausler and Assistant Quartermaster Henry Hornbeck. The minutes of last year’s reunion held at Allentown were read and approved.

The secretary read an article taken from the Philadelphia Inquirer of Oct. 2, 1862, giving an account of the regiment’s expedition to Jacksonville. The veterans claimed that the facts as stated in the account were wrong, as they did not receive due credit for what they had done.

A committee of five was appointed to name a place for the next reunion and also name the officers. The following officers were named: President, J. Gilbert Snyder; secretary, Chas. W. Abbott; treasurer, Augustus Eagle; chaplain, W. D. C. Rodrock. Bethlehem was decided on as the next meeting place. The meeting then adjourned.

The afternoon was kept lively by the West Catasauqua Band, Catasauqua Drum Corps and Cadet Drum Corps, which paraded the streets playing patriotic airs.

In the evening the veterans attended the camp fire and bean soup banquet given by the Sons of Veterans. The audience was addressed by Col. Reed, who spoke on the benefit of being a member of the Sons of Veterans and also gave a short history of the order. He was followed by John L. Schwartz, of Allentown, who is a member of the Sons. After a few marks on the patriotism shown by the order Dr. Bryant was introduced. This gentleman proved to be a very eloquent speaker. He spoke of the trials and punishments of the colored race before the war and the excellent service given by the colored regiments.

‘I stand as the representative of the truest type of an American citizen,’ he said. “Treason is odious; a colored man has never been known to wave the red flag of anarchy.’

The bean soup was served after this address by an old army cook and the “vets” returned home on the late trains.”—The Allentown Daily Leader, Allentown, Pennsylvania, 23 October 1893

 

In its 22 October edition, the Harrisburg Telegraph presented a lengthy report about the 47th Pennsylvania’s 1895 reunion, noting that:

“For the first time since the war the survivors of the Forty-seventh met in their twenty-third annual reunion in this city today. A committee of local members, headed by a drum corps, met the visiting comrades at the station this morning and escorted them to the capitol, where calls were made upon the Governor and other officials. The Governor made a short speech, arousing the enthusiasm of the old vets, who gave three cheers for Hastings and their old colonel, Gen. Gobin, who was given a boost as “Our next Governor.” After visiting the flag room and gazing proudly and reverently upon the ragged and torn regimental colors, perforated with grape and canister, the seventy or more survivors proceeded to the hall of Post 58, G.A.R., where the annual meeting was held.

Harrisburg was highly honored today. It had the pleasure of entertaining the gallant old heroes of the old Forty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, a command that enjoyed the distinction of being the only Pennsylvania regiment participating in the Banks expedition up the Red River and the only regiment from the Keystone State serving in the department after Lee’s surrender. During its long service of four years and four months the regiment recruited from Easton, Allentown, Sunbury, New Bloomfield, Newport, Catasauqua and Harrisburg played well its part in the great civil strife in the States of Maryland, Virginia, North [sic] and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Louisiana, marching more than twelve hundred miles and making twelve sea voyages. It was a regiment made up of such old heroes as Color Sergeant Benjamin F. Walls, a well-to-do farmer from Juniata county, who, when the surgeon at Camp Curtin in this city, expressed his disinclination to pass hm on account of his advanced age (he was 65), replied with some force: ‘By the Lord, I have yet to learn that a man ever becomes too old to serve his country.’ It was such men who put down the Rebellion and preserved the unity of our nation. Sergeant Walls was passed and served out his three years, while many a much younger man was striving to avoid the draft. He was wounded at Pleasant Hill, La., while bearing the regimental colors in the van. Sergeant Walls wanted to re-enlist, but was refused by the examining surgeon, and died in the summer of 1867, one of the bravest of the brave.

This regiment left Camp Curtin September 20, 1881 [sic, 1861], under command of Col. T. H. Good, Allentown, and was assigned to the Third brigade of Gen. W. F. Smith’s division upon arriving at the Nation’s Capital on the 21st. Shortly thereafter it was assigned to duty at Key West, Fla, where many of the men died from fever. From Key West it was assigned to Hilton Head, S.C., subsequently being ordered back to Florida to remove the obstructions in the St. John’s River. It acted as escort at the funeral of Gen. Mitchell [sic, Mitchel], November 15th; it again returned to Key West, remaining there until February 25th, 1864. During this period about 500 of the men re-enlisted. The next service seen by this regiment was in Louisiana and along the Red River. July 12th the regiment came back to Washington and assisted in the defense of that city and the expulsion of the Rebels from Maryland. Probably the most important [part] played by the regiment, and one for which it may well feel proud, was the successful holding of the right flank of Sheridan’s re-organized army at the battle of Cedar Creek, the battle that made “Little Phil” famous and immortalized him through that stirring poem, ‘Sheridan’s Ride.’ About this time Col. Good and Lieut.-Col. Alexander were mustered out and succeeded by Major J. P. S. Gobin and Capt. Charles W. Abbott. In this great engagement the regiment’s loss was 176. For its bravery the regiment was complimented on the field by Gen. Thomas. It wintered near Winchester and participated in the grand review at Washington May 23d and 24th. On June 1st it embarked for Savannah, Ga., and subsequently served at Charleston, S.C., until relieved January 3d, 1866. In Charleston the regiment had its headquarters in the mansion of the rebel Secretary of the Treasury. It was mustered out at Camp Cadwalader, Philadelphia, January 9th, 1866.

President John Clemmens, of this city, occupied the chair, and after prayer by the chaplain, introduced Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction Stewart, who welcomed the survivors in the name of the Post and city. Mr. Stewart, himself a member of the celebrated Cooper’s Battery during the rebellion, fairly outdid himself, and stirred the old comrades to a high pitch of enthusiasm. He spoke of the grand place his State occupied in the records of the war and the proud record of the Forty-seventh, and said that the State and country could not do enough for the old soldier. Gen. Gobin, the colonel of the regiment, followed in an eloquent and masterful speech, and the old vets fairly howled when he held up the proud position of the regiment in the war, and especially at the battle of Cedar Creek. Gen. Gobin said this command deserved all the praise heaped upon it, and was always ready to obey orders. He was proud to be with the boys once more, and as they had fought the Rebs he counseled them to wage relentless warfare upon the enemies of right and justice. Deputy State Superintendent Stewart and Hon. Zulick were elected members, and it was decided to meet October 22d, 1896 in Allentown. These officers were elected: President, Francis Deifer [sic, Daeufer], Allentown;  secretary, Charles W. Abbott, Allentown; treasurer, Aug. W. Eagle, Catasauqua; chaplain, W. D. Rodrock, Paterson, N.J. After dinner at the Hotel Columbus the old vets took in the city and departed for home this evening.

Around the Camp Fire

Comrade James F. Naylor came over from New Cumberland to attend the reunion. He was in the Harrisburg company.

Comrade Henry C. Snavely. Of Sparrow’s Point, Maryland, was another member of the Harrisburg company who was present at the reunion.

Perry county turned out well. Heretofore the reunions have been most too far away for many of the survivors from the hoop-pole district.

Harrisburg survivors of the Forty-seventh are John Clemmens, David and H. D. Smith, Jeremiah Seidel, Emanuel Fink, John A. Gardner, W. T. Brooks, Luther Bernheisel and Jesse Meadeth [sic, Meadath]. The latter was a second lieutenant.”— Harrisburg Telegraph, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 22 October 1895.

 

The Scranton Tribune subsequently reported on the 1895 reunion in its next day’s edition, noting that more than one hundred veterans of the regiment had made the trip to Harrisburg for that year’s gathering.

 

1899

By the end of the nineteenth century, the 47th Pennsylvania’s annual reunion had achieved a high degree of visibility. Held in conjunction with the dedication of the new Soldiers and Sailors Monument that had been erected in Allentown, the regiment’s 1899 reunion was part of a spectacle that children and adults statewide would talk about for years to come. The monument’s dedication and regimental reunion were both held on 19 October 1899—the anniversary of the Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia in which the 47th Pennsylvania lost nearly the equivalent of two full companies of men while blocking an attempted end run around Union Army lines by the Confederate troops of Lieutenant-General Jubal Early.

Deemed so important by city and state leaders, the day was designated as “Monument Day” and declared a holiday for students across the city. Organizers of the 47th Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers Association announced their annual gathering plans via the 13 October edition of The Allentown Leader:

“A meeting of members residing in Allentown of the Forty-seventh Regiment Association was held last evening at Daeufer’s saloon, to arrange for the annual reunion of the regiment to be held in this city on Monument Day. Lieutenant James Stuber was elected chairman and Lieutenant Colonel Chas. Abbott, secretary and treasurer. The annual meeting of the association will be held in the morning in the hall of the Turner Liederkranz, when routine business will be transacted and officers elected. South Bethlehem was chosen as the place for holding this year’s meeting, but because of the unveiling of the monument it was decided to meet here. The regiment will participate in the parade and will carry their old tattered flag that was used in the war. Another meeting of the local members will be held on Monday evening when final arrangements for the entertainment of the visitors will be made. Lieutenant Edward Wenner of Bethlehem, is the president; Colonel Abbott, Allentown, secretary; Lieutenant Augustus Eagle, Catasauqua, treasurer; and Rev. Mr. Rothrock [sic. Rodrock], Paterson, chaplain.”—The Allentown Leader, Allentown, Pennsylvania,13 October 1899

 

Sources:

1. “47th Pa. Veteran Volunteers.” Sunbury, Pennsylvania: The Sunbury Gazette, 6 August 1875.
2. “47th Regiment Reunion.” Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Allentown Democrat, 20 September 1882.
3. “47th Reunion.” Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Allentown Leader, 13 October 1899.
4. “Amos Steele” (notice by the Sunbury butcher who fed the 47th Pennsylvania Volunteers at their 1875 reunion). Sunbury, Pennsylvania: Northumberland County Democrat, 1 October 1875.
5. Annual Reunion Recap. Reading, Pennsylvania: Reading Times, 30 October 1873.
6. “Arrangements” (notice of the Lehigh Valley Railroad collaboration with the 1875 reunion planning committee). Sunbury, Pennsylvania: Northumberland County Democrat, 17 September 1875.
7. “Board of Control: Legislation for the Benefit of Allentown Schools: Monument Day Will Be a Holiday.” Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Allentown Leader, 5 October 1899.
8. “Catasauqua, Pa., September 22, 1873: Captain Eichholz, Dear Sir” (letter to the newspaper inviting all former members of the 47th Pennsylvania Volunteers to participate in the regiment’s first reunion). Sunbury, Pennsylvania: The Democrat, 26 September 1873.
9. “Election of Officers.” Sunbury, Pennsylvania: The Sunbury Gazette and the Northumberland County Republican, 29 October 1875.
10. “Gen. Gobin’s Vets: Forty-Seventh’s Reunion.” Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Harrisburg Telegraph, 22 October 1895.
11. “Head Quarters 47th Regimental Assoc’n, Allentown, May 22, 1875” (notice from J. P. S. Gobin regarding the appointment of a committee to plan and implement the 47th Pennsylvania Volunteers’ annual reunion in 1875). Sunbury, Pennsylvania: Sunbury American, May 1875.
12. “Local and Personal” (announcement of the 47th Pennsylvania’s annual reunion). Lehighton, Pennsylvania: The Carbon Advocate, 31 August 1878.
13. “Program Adopted: Order of Exercises for Unveiling Decided Upon.” Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Allentown Leader, 5 October 1899.
14. “Report of Committee: 47th Regimental Banquet.” Sunbury, Pennsylvania: Northumberland County Democrat, 10 December 1875.
15. “Re-Union of 47th.” Sunbury, Pennsylvania: The Sunbury Gazette, 22 October 1875.
16. “Reunion of the 47th Pa. Vet. Vols.” Sunbury, Pennsylvania: Sunbury American and the Public Press, 1 October 1875.
17. “Reunion of the 47th: Surviving Members of General Gobin’s Regiment Meet at Harrisburg.” Scranton, Pennsylvania: The Scranton Tribune, 23 October 1895.
18. “Reunion of the Forty-Seventh Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers.” Newport, Pennsylvania: The News, 27 September 1873.
19. “The Grand Old Men: The Veterans of the Forty-seventh Deserve That Title.” Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Allentown Daily Leader, 23 October 1893.
20. “The Re-Union.” Sunbury, Pennsylvania: Public Press, 29 October 1875.
21. “The Reunion of a Regiment: The Old Boys of the Forty-seventh Will Have Their Festival on the Morrow.” Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Allentown Daily Leader, 22 October 1893.
22. “The Re-Union of the Forty-Seventh.” Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Allentown Democrat, 11 October 1882.
23. “The Re-Union of the Old 47th.” Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Allentown Democrat, October 1883.
24. “The Re-Union of the Forty-Seventh.” Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Allentown Democrat, 2 October 1889.
25. Third Reunion Notice. Sunbury, Pennsylvania: The Sunbury Gazette and the Northumberland County Republican, 21 May 1875.