History and the Men Who Served

Prior to the Mexican War, a volunteer unit of militia called the "Old State Fencibles of Lancaster" was formed. The Unit was first called to action in 1844 to aid local Phila. Officials in suppressing a riot in the city. The Lancaster unit disbanded shortly thereafter. In 1854, then President Pierce called attention to the strong British presence in Central America. This was a ploy to divert attention away from the issue of slavery in the states, and re-direct public focus on England's opposition to the states desire to build a canal in the region. The public was preparing for possible military conflict with England and by the end of 1855 the militia known as "The Fencibles" was formed. The leader of the crack corps "Lancaster Fencibles" was a Mexican War vetran named "John Duchmann. In 1857 the Fencibles escorted the newly elected President Buchanan from Lancaster to Washington D.C. and participated in the inaugural parade that followed. Due to acclaimed notoriety, active participation in the years that followed consisted of many parades in central and southeast Pennsylvania and escorting area politicians with an accompanying band.
On September 19th 1860, the Fencibles received a shipment of arms from the US government. The firearms were to be used soon after the April 1861 attack on Fort Sumter. On April 16th the Lancaster Fencibles offered their services to the cause and two days later celebrated formation of the Regiment in Center Square with a flag raising. The Soldiers and Muscians left for Harrisburg on the 24th from the Lancaster train station, where they were to be "De-trained". The Fencibles were assigned to protect Northern Central Railroad bridges. They included Gunpowder Bridge near Cockeysville, Md. The following week they were directed to the State Lunatic Asylum near Catonsville Maryland, where they joined up with the Fencibles Band. The next move was in early June 1861 to Camp Cameron, near Chambersburg Pa. After a short stay, they moved on to Williamsport, Funkstown, Boonsboro, Middletown and finally later that June, Camp Yohe near Fredrick Maryland. It was here where the Fencibles saw their first "Action". During late June and early July, several wagons with food stores, destined for the south were captured. The next week the regiment was moved to Martinsburg Virginia, where they waited for transportation to Harrisburg Pa via Harpers Ferry. The Fencibles were mustered out in late July 1861 and returned home July 27th to a large crowd of Lancaster residents.

Lancaster Fencibles

First Regiment, Company F

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Mustered in Lancaster PA on April 18, 1861
Mustered in Harrisburg PA as "1st PA" on April 20, 1861

Captain
Emlen Franklin

First Lieutenant
Michael H. Locher

Second Lieutenant
James P. Dysart

First Sergeant
David Miles

Second Sergeant
John Druckamiller

Third Sergeant
Charles Heitshu

Fourth Sergeant
John J. Hartman

First Corporal
George Musser

Second Corporal
Andrew M'Ginnis

Third Corporal
John P. Deiker

Fourth Corporal
William W. Hess

Drummer
John P. Shindle

Fifer
Joseph Cogley


Privates
Atlee, William A.
Altick, Joseph
Baer, Samuel C.
Baer, Andrew
Bair, David, Jr.
Ball, Ambrose
Biggs, Henry C.
Blickensderfer, William
Bowman, Joseph
Boring, Edward
Chamberlain, John B.
Conn, Benjamin
Connor, John
Cross, John F.
Coyle, Michael
Derby, George W.
Duchman, Jacob S.
Duncan, William
Derby, George W.
Dustman, William
Eberman, Edward
Eicholtz, Andrew
Felter, Hannan
Gerke, Herman L.
Greiner, Michael
Gundaker, Emanuel
Hager, Edward
Haldeman, Clifford C.
Hartman, William H.
Hayes, Charles E.
Hogendobler, John
Holbrook, Samuel S.
Hubley, Chester S.
Jack, George W.
Kuhn, William
Leibley, Andrew
Madden, John, Jr.
Markley, Samuel B.
Mc'Caskey, William S.
Mc'Gonigal, John T.
Meyers, Edward
Miller, David J.
Murphy, William W.
Musselman, Samuel
Ober, Benjamin H.
Pesterly, George
Powell, John
Redsecker, James F.
Rife, William P.
Rote, William T.
Rote, Henry D.
Rote, John
Rowe, Samuel W.
Schenk, Rudolph W.
Snyder, Jacob K.
Springer, John A.
Steigerwalt, Samuel C.
Stevens, Thaddeus, Jr.
Strine, James B.
Strickler, Wilson
Stubbs, John T.
Swentzel, Henry F.
Tumey, James
Tredwell, James B.
Witmer, Henry C.

Muscians of the Lancaster Fencibles

Charles Clemens - Director
Benjamin F. Adams
Jacob Adams
George F. Bruderly
Joseph A. Bruderly
Joseph M. Cogley
Charles Hepting
George G. Myers
Herman Newmyer
Jacob H. Norbeck
Henry Shenck
John P. Shindle
Charles Streith
George F. Rote
Frederick Wettig

From LCHS 1960 by Blaker