Follow this time line of the 153rd Pennsylvania Volunteers and the 10th Alabama Infantry Regiment. The paths of the descendants of these units would cross again many generations later and result in the marriage of my wife and I. Our ancestors who once swore to defeat each other on the battlefield are now united through our children.
Timeline of the 153rd Pennsylvania Volunteers			Timeline of the 10th Alabama Infantry
While the 10th Alabama had already been formed and was seeing action in Virginia and Maryland, most of the men of the 153rd Pennsylvania were busy with their lives farming and working. A few were already fighting in other regiments and would re-enlist with their home town brothers when President Lincoln made the request for volunteers. Destiny would call our ancestors to fight each other in two major battles during the civil war, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. I have found no evidence that the 153rd PA and the 10th AL went head to head though clearly they were on the same battlefields in May and July of 1863.				June 11, 1861	Company D met in Alexandria, AL to be mustered into service by Col. John H. Forney. After muster given 1 week leave.
				Jun. 18-30, 1861	Company began a series of trips destined for the Virginia front. Along the way they were equipped and trained.
				Jul. 12 - Dec.19, 1861	Fought in various skirmishes around Virginia. Greatest enemies were diseases. Secluded farm boys battled communicable diseases.
August 1862	President Lincoln issues call for volunteers, needs 300,000 more men			August 1862	Fought the second battle of Manassas. Horrific loss of life and wounded on both sides. Albert Usry lost his life here.
Sept. 23, 1862	153rd assembles in Easton, PA made up of men from all over Northampton County			Sept. 17, 1862	Participated in the battle of Sharpsburg, MD. The bloodiest single day of fighting during the Civil War. 23,110 soldiers killed, wounded, or missing.
Sept. 25, 1862	At noon 991 men of the 153rd leave Philipsburg via train for Harrisburg				From here the author of the book used as a source for this work having been shot and wounded at Sharpsburg did not rejoin the unit until Feb. 1863.
Sept. 25, 1862	10:00 PM 153rd arrives in Harrisburg, PA and sleep on board the train
Sept 26, 1862	At 9:30 AM the regiment marched to Camp Curtin arriving there at 10:00 PM
Sept. 29, 1862	Regiment is reduced from 13 companies to 10 to meet army regulations
Oct. 7-11, 1862	All companies were mustered in
Oct. 12, 1862	Left Harrisburg by train in the afternoon and arrived in Baltimore at 8:00 PM
Oct 13, 1862	Left Baltimore at 3:00 PM and arrived at Washington DC 8:00 PM
Oct 14, 1862	Marched to Camp Seward
Oct 23, 1862	Moved to a camp near Fort Barker in D.C.
Oct. 25, 1862	Moved to camp near Fort Meigs
Oct. 30, 1862	Orders received assigning the 153rd regiment to the 11th Corps immediately
Nov. 2, 1862	Suitable weapons were received after the 153rd commander refused to join the 11th corps as equipped
Nov. 4, 1862	Marched early in the morning destined for 11th Corps headquarters in Gainesville, Prince William County, VA
Nov. 4, 1862	After arriving in D.C. boarded the steam ship "Hero" bound for Alexandria and arrived at 4:00 PM
Nov. 5, 1862	Left in the morning by rail for Manassas Junction arriving at 1:00 PM.
Nov. 5, 1862	After resting for two hours continued to march until dark were they made camp in a several acre clearing
Nov. 6, 1862	Pre-dawn began marching through Bull Run. Stench of dead horses everywhere, dirt mound graves of the fallen visible everywhere.
Nov. 6, 1862	Arrived at 11th Corps headquarters at 8:00 AM. Six men deserted since leaving Harrisburg
Nov. 7, 1862	Marching orders were rescinded when a major snow storm began and continued for 2 days
Nov. 9, 1862	Early morning began marching and within hours reached the blackened ruins of the village of Haymarket
Nov. 9, 1862	Proceeded NW along the base of the Bull Run Mts. Arrived at Aldie just before sunset. In danger at all times now
Nov. 9-18, 1862	Stayed camped at Aldie. Many false alarms. Spent time hunting and socializing
Nov. 18, 1862	8:00 AM began marching back under very difficult conditions, rain soaked roads, heavy packs
Nov. 18, 1862	Reached Chantilly wet, weary, foot-sore, and staggering under heavy load. Stayed 22 days. All manner of weather
Nov. 25, 1862	Major General Franz Sigel inspected and addressed the regiment
Dec. 9, 1862	Orders received to be ready to march on short notice
Dec. 10, 1862	Marched in the morning bound for Stafford Court House. Within hours arrived at Fairfax Court House, made camp
Dec. 11, 1862	Reveille at 4:00 AM. Departed at 7:00 AM. Marched through knee deep mud under heavy load
Dec. 12, 1862	Crossed the Occoquan at Wolf Run in the morning and continued marching south
Dec. 13, 1862	Reached Dumfries, Prince William County, VA in the evening and detailed to escort ammunition train
Dec. 15, 1862	8:00 AM resumed marching, companies A and F struck out earlier to act as Pioneers under Capt. Rice
Dec. 15, 1862	Again had to march in horrible conditions. Should have reached Stafford in a day but only made it half way
Dec. 15, 1862	Camped midway between Cannon Rd. and Stafford Court House. Began raining again, camp was not prepared for rain
Dec. 16, 1862	8:30 AM resumed march, at Stafford met retreating forces, learned of Burnsides defeat at Fredericksburg
Dec. 16-18, 1862	Remained camped at Stafford, out of food for a time, luckily relief arrived.
Dec 18, 1862	Departed afternoon for Accakeek Creek arrived in 1 hr., Co. A and B established picket stations, others set up camp
Dec. 25, 1862	Celebrated Christmas
Jan. 1, 1863	Celebrated New Years with a ration of Whiskey
Jan. 20, 1863	Broke camp this morning having been here 32 days, left the sick with Surgeon Stout. Arrived 10:00 AM Brooks Station
Jan. 20, 1863
Jan. 20-23, 1863	Picketed the Railroad at Brooks Station	Camped at Potomac Creek Bridge - Trained and tended to camp business
Jan. 23, 1863	8 companies left to join brigade at Aquia Landing. Co. B and H remained to picket the RR, later joined by Co. F
Jan. 23-26, 1863	Camped at Aquia Landing under fine conditions
Jan. 26, 1863	Assigned to Pennsylvania's Slocum's Corps and marched to Potomac Creek Bridge arriving before noon
Jan. 27, 1863	During the night a snow storm fell the likes of which is seldom seen even in the north. Camp was not ready for it.
Jan. 28, 1863	Morning revealed camp covered with snow. Tents were collapsed. Would be 10 days until we were comfortable
Jan. 30-31, 1863	Spirits of the men were lifted when received pay from paymaster Major Bell
Feb. 16, 1863	Regiment as a member of 1st Brigade was inspected by Major General Hooker. Went extremely well			Feb. 18, 1863	Company D is camped near Fredericksburg.
Feb. 26, 1863	Celebrated Washington's birthday in grand fashion. Speaking, eating, and drinking.
Mar. 26, 1863	Camp visited by PA Gov. Andrew Curtin. Camp made perfect for his visit. Received hearty cheers
Apr. 10, 1863	Regiment participated in the 11th Corps review held by Major General Howard in honor of President Lincoln visit
Apr. 11, 1863	Major General Howard addressed the troops congratulating them on their excellent bearing the previous day
Apr. 14, 1863	Weather improving, received orders to be ready to march at any moment
Apr. 14, 1863	Colonel Ganz assembled the officers, discuss the issue of 6 months back pay owed troops. Sent letter to Gov. Curtin
Apr. 15, 1863	Condition of roads still too poor to allow for departure
Apr. 22, 1863	Money arrives to pay the troops thanks to the sense of urgency conveyed to the Governor by Ganz and the officers
Apr. 25, 1863	Received final marching orders
Apr. 27, 1863	5:45 AM began marching out of camp and 1 hour later arrived at rendezvous point, waited several hours
Apr. 27, 1863	Resumed marching NW until noon when granted 1 hours rest, heat oppressive, continued march till dark
Apr. 28, 1863	Awoken at 1:00 AM, had breakfast, marched at 3:00 AM destined for Kelly's Ford, which was reached at 11:00 AM
Apr. 29, 1863	Crossed the Ford just after midnight and were formed into a line of battle
Apr. 29, 1863	Continued moving until daylight when finally allowed a much needed rest
Apr. 29, 1863	Resumed march 10:00 AM, crossed Mt. Creek at 2:00 PM, reached northern heights of Rapidan 7:00 PM, exhausted
Apr. 30, 1863	Crossed the Rapidan at 2:00 AM. After reaching camp heavy rain fell once again, very difficult to sleep	Battle of Chancellorsville - 1st action seen by the 153rd. Suffered heavy casualties as they were caught completely off guard due to miscalculation by  Generals Howard and Hooker
Apr. 30, 1863	9:00 AM marching once again, arrived 4:00 PM near Chancellorsville and made camp, men slept well
May 1, 1863	Around 11:00 AM the roar of artillery could be heard to the right, ordered to move and marched till midnight		Battle of Chancellorsville The 10th Alabama saw action on the perimeter of the main battlefield, fighting Sedgwick's Corp. near Fredericksburg.	May 1, 1863	10th Alabama ordered to Chancellorsville. On route enemy shells roared overhead. Ordered back to Fredericksburg to hold Sedgwsick's troops in check.
May 2, 1863	Scouts report a large movement of Confederate troops on the right flank. Generals Howard and Hooker think it a retreat			May 2, 1863	Occupied ditches near Fredericksburg.Could see the enemy just across the river. The 10th AL position was vulnerable to enemy fire.
May 2, 1863	Howard takes slight precaution of moving 2 regiments and an artillery section to the right flank, one of which is the 153rd
May 2, 1863	Men of the 153rd untried in battle would soon face an enemy 30 times their number
May 2, 1863	153rd enjoying a beautiful morning unaware of the large force about to attack, spent morning improving position
May 2, 1863	4:30 PM scouts from the 45th NY race out of woods, report confederates massing in the trees ahead, battle in minutes
May 2, 1863	153rd hears the "Rebel Yell" and a wall of grey emerges from the woods in front of them with a hail of lead
May 2, 1863	153rd PA and 54th NY receive the full blow of Jackson's Tiger Brigade. Position was hopeless
May 2, 1863	54th crumbles, 153rd returns a volley. Does not retreat until ordered by Colonel von Gilsa, battle a rout for Jackson			May 3, 1863	Sedgwick's Corp.crossed the river on potoon bridges and formed a line of battle.
May 3, 1863	11th corps becomes a panicked mob and is not reformed until sometime this day			May 3, 1863	Had skirmishes with Sedgwick's Corps. Sedgwick attempted to flank the 10th AL but General Wilcox had anticipated the move and already fallen back
May 3, 1863	Roll call reveals Col. Ganz was captured, Lt. Col Datchrodt wounded, Maj. Frueauff assumes command of 153rd			May 3, 1863	Fell back to Salem Church, received reinforcements and deployed into a line of battle and waited for Sedgwick's advance.
May 3, 1863	1st battle casualties of 153rd: 16 dead, 37 wounded, 43 captured or missing. Total 96 casualties, 14% of the 153rd			May 3, 1863	Sedgwick attacked the line. 10th let them get close and then rose up and gave them all they had. Sedgwick quickly retreated about 1 mile.
May 3, 1863	153rd under Frueauff ordered to a line of rifle pits guarding the ford over the Rappahannock, important assignment			May 3, 1863	Captured about 1000 union troops as they attempted an evening retreat
May 3, 1863	Fighting breaks out again in morning. Von Gilsa improves 153rd protection and they suffered very little hence forth
May 4, 1863	153rd relieved in the evening and took a position  a mile to the rear
May 5, 1863	Again in rifle pits, heavy rain moves through, pits fill with water, had to leave pits and now no protection			May 5th, 1863	Our forces went to Chancellorsville but the enemy had crossed the river the night before and the battle had ended, the enemy defeated.
May 6, 1863	2:00 AM ordered out of their position, 6:00 AM crossed the Rappahannock at U.S. Ford
May 6, 1863	Pushed on through worst mud ever, reached old camp near Potomac Creek Bridge by 8:00 PM
May 16, 1863	Supply lines re-established, life returning somewhat to normal
Jun. 3, 1863	Left camp early morning, relocating to Brooks Station. Attendant alarms everyday, constantly on alert now			Early June, 1863	Broke camp near Fredericksburg and embarked on route to Maryland and Pennsyvania. Troops were well rested.
Jun. 12, 1863	Began march to Gettysburg covering 60 miles in the first 3 days in 90 degree weather
Jun. 16, 1863	Col. Ganz rejoins the troops having been released in a prisoner exchange, 153rd overjoyed at Ganz return
Jun. 20, 1863	Colonel Ganz returns to Easton in poor health from the stress of prison.
Jun. 25, 1863	153rd crossed the Potomac at Edward's Ferry. Men inspired by reaction of people as they went through towns
Jun. 28, 1863	Reached Frederick, MD at 9:00 PM
Jun. 29, 1863	Left Frederick at 5:00 AM and reached Emmitsburg about 2 hours later, made camp and stayed several days
Jul. 1, 1863	Began marching again towards Gettysburg with urgency, very hot weather and bad roads from recent rains	Battle of Gettysburg - heavy casualties suffered by the 153rd. Twenty-nine dead, twenty-three mortaly wounded,   one hundred forty seven injured, sixty-eight captured or missing. A 47% casualty rate!
Jul. 1, 1863	Arrived at Gettysburg about 1:00 PM, greeted by cheers from townspeople, continued NW of town
Jul. 1, 1863	Reached Almshouse , ordered by von Gilsa to drop knapsacks, already under enemy fire
Jul. 1, 1863	Entered the fight again in unfortunate position, both flanks were exposed, 3:00 PM Confederates attack right flank
Jul. 1, 1863	2 Confederate brigades of 3,000 men attack, 1st brigade including the 153rd attempt to repel but eventually retreat		Battle of Gettysburg - Unclear if the 10th went head to head with the 153rd.	Jul. 1, 1863	Arrived in Gettysburg area late in the evening. Slept on our arms
Jul. 1, 1863	Retreat was orderly with pause to return fire, Barlow seriously wounded to no ones grief			Jul. 2, 1863	Wilcox's Brigade (10th Alabama) selected to do recon for the confederate army and open the battle for the south.
Jul. 1, 1863	11th Corps passed through Gettysburg re-established their position at Cemetery hill, spent night, all calm			Jul. 2, 1863	Two men from Co. D volunteered as skirmishers. Rest of brigade ordered to lie down. Soon heard exchange between our skirmishers and enemy
Jul. 2, 1863	All quiet till 4 PM then Confederate batteries on Benner's Hill attack. 153rd lost quite a few men			Jul. 2, 1863	Co. D skirmishers retreat, enemy in pursuit. Brigade waits for the enemy to come within 30 to 40 yards. Raises up and lets loose a volley. Enemy retreats.
Jul. 2, 1863	Near sunset Confederates crossed into Union lines and commenced hand to hand combat, attack repelled			Jul. 2, 1863	Formed 2nd line of battle on a ridge in view of enemy lines which were in an open field. Held this position till afternoon
Jul. 3, 1863	The day of Pickett's Charge, the 153rd saw little action this day			Jul. 2, 1863	Joined Longstreet's Corp. when it made a 3rd charge on the enemy. 10th role became to support the 11th Alabama. 10th and 11th become mixed up.
Jul. 4, 1863	1st Brigade including 64 members of the 153rd ordered on a scouting mission and to enter town if possible				At this point the author was wounded again. This time a small arms wound to the leg. He managed to get himself to a hospital
Jul. 4, 1863	During scouting mission 290 Confederates captured, detail was the 1st to enter town since evacuation			Jul. 3, 1863	The battle continued with 10th Alabama fully participating. Sounds of the conflict could be heard from the hospital.
Jul. 4, 1863	Confederates begin retreat just before midnight
Jul. 5, 1863	153rd began pursuit of the retreating enemy and headed south about 6 PM, march was difficult, recent heavy rains
Jul. 6, 1863	Rained all last night. Marched to Emmitsburg and camped for the night
Jul. 7, 1863	Ordered to move on to Frederick, 6 companies mustered in on Oct. 7th refused to march saying their term was up
Jul. 7, 1863	General Howard suspended Major Frueauff and placed the Lt. Col. of the 82nd Ill in command of the 153rd
Jul. 7, 1863	The men of the 153rd got the message and began marching later in the morning
Jul. 8, 1863	Rumors of Confederates in Boonsboro. Reached Boonsboro in the evening and formed a line of battle, no fighting
Jul. 10, 1863	Moved towards Funkstown, camped for several days. 4 officers discuss expiration of 153rd term with Gen. Howard
Jul. 10-12, 1863	Gen. Howard refuses to discharge the 153rd regiment until Jul. 14th, promises no front line duty
Jul. 13, 1863	Marched to Hagerstown, MD. Gen. Howard honorably discharges the 153rd, men going home
Jul. 14, 1863	von Gilsa makes a moving speech to the 153rd. Troops left for Harrisburg, will miss von Gilsa
Jul. 16, 1863	Arrived in Harrisburg. Would wait a week for official papers
Jul. 24, 1863	153rd is mustered out of service
Jul. 25, 1863	153rd boards train at 1:00 AM bound for Easton. Arrive at Easton 10 AM to a heroes welcome				Source: I Saw the Elephant - Company D, 10th Alabama Infantry Regiment
Jul. 25, 1863	More than 5,000 people jam the town to welcome home their heroes. Entire town decorated, huge celebration				by Bailey George McClelen - Edited by Norman E. Rourke
Jul. 25, 1863	Late afternoon after a day of celebration the men of the 153rd went their separate ways and returned to their homes
	Source: History of the 153rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry
	by W. R. Keifer
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