Head Quarters Penn'a Reserves

July 1^st 1863.  

 

Soldiers of Penn'a Reserves.

                                                You have once more been called to the field, an order from the Commanding General, a rapid and fatigueing march has placed us again by the side of comrades endeared to us by sufferings on many hard fought fields. If you would hail the prospect of active service at any time with delight how much more now. Our native State is invaded by the ruthless hordes of plunderers, who forgetting "South Mountain" & "Antietam", and allured by the spoils of our rich valleys, have polluted the soil of Pennsylvania. Our homes are desolated, our fields laid waste, our property destroyed. To-day within a few hours we shall tread the soil of the Keystone. The eyes of all will be upon us. To us they will look with anxious hearts for relief. Let the sight of our mountains, and our native plains, fire our hearts and nerve your arms, for the / hour of battle. We strike for all that can be dear to man. Remember you are Pennsylvanians. Let no breach of discipline mar the glory of the past, but let us pledge to each other to day, never to cease until we drive the enemy of our country our Constitution and our peace forever from our soil.

                                                           

(signed) S. W. Crawford

Brig Gen'l

Comd'g Division

SOURCES