1841 Bible ID’d to Augustus L. Hursh 12th Pennsylvania Reserves / SOLD
Old and New Testament printed in Portland, Maine in 1841. The first page bears the inscription “A L Hursh Company G. 12th Regt. Penn Re. Corps. York County Penn. City Point VA July 5th 1862.” Augustus L. Hursh enlisted in the regiment on July 1, 1861 and was discharged for disability on March 4, 1863. He would have seen action with his regiment at Dranesville, the Seven Days Battles, 2nd Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, and Fredericksburg.
When President Abraham Lincoln called for volunteers to "put down the rebellion" in the spring of 1861, the commonwealth of Pennsylvania found itself with more volunteers than needed to meet its Federal quota. Although 14 regiments were requested, Pennsylvania exceeded this by providing 25 organized regiments. The Secretary of War, Simon Cameron, was a political enemy of Andrew Curtin, Pennsylvania governor, and refused to take the extra men into Federal service. Curtin decided to retain the extra men and organized, trained, and equipped them at state expense. The creation of the special division was approved by the Pennsylvania legislature on May 15, 1861, "for the purpose of suppressing insurrections, or to repel invasions." The men were trained at camps of instruction in four cities: Easton, Pittsburgh, West Chester, and Harrisburg. The training camp near Harrisburg was named Camp Curtin for the governor. Fifteen regiments were formed, known as the 1st through 15th Pennsylvania Reserves (they were later designated the 30th through 44th Pennsylvania Volunteers, but generally retained the label of the Pennsylvania Reserves).
The bible measures 4.25 inches by 3 inches and is 1.25 inches thick. The red Moroccan leather cover shows some wear but is in solid condition. A wonderful personal item carried by a Civil War soldier in many battles. Accompanied by research binder on the soldier and unit history.
Augustus L. Hursh
Residence York County PA;
Enlisted on 7/1/1861 as a Corporal.
On 7/1/1861 he mustered into "G" Co. PA 41st Infantry
He was discharged for disability on 3/4/1863
Comes housed in a 6 x 8 inch display case with black velvet backing and descriptive card.
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Inventory Number: IDE 128 / SOLD